Veteran Malayalam director Viswambharan dead

Kochi, June 16 (IANS) Veteran Malayalam director P.G. Viswambharan died early Wednesday at a private hospital here, a family source said. He was 69.

Viswambharan was ailing for some time, and his condition worsened Tuesday. The funeral will take place at Palakkad.

In a career spanning close to four decades, Viswambharan directed close to 60 Malayalam films. He quit movie making after 'Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha', which was released in 2002.

Viswambharan started as an assistant director. For a decade, he worked with veteran Sasikumar before turning a full-fledged director in 1976 with 'Ozhukkinethire'. Since then he has given numerous box office hits.

Superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal hit stardom with Viswambharan's films.

Some of his hits include 'Chakara', 'Ee Sabdham Enathe Sabdam', 'Thirakel Alapesamyam', 'Kattu Kuthira', 'Ezhupunna Tharakan' and 'Gajakesariyogam'.