Indian PM Modi leads tributes to Telugu filmmaker Viswanath

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of veteran film director Kalatapasvi K Viswanath and said that he was a stalwart of the cinema world, distinguishing himself as a creative and multifaceted director.

Renowned Telugu filmmaker Kalatapasvi K Viswanath passed away at his residence on Thursday at 92 from age-related ailments.

Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also expressed grief at the demise of the Padmashri and Dadasaheb Phalke winner and stated the renowned film director brought depth and dignity to the medium, earning global recognition for his movies.

The film director, screenwriter and actor is a recipient of five National Film Awards, seven state Nandi Awards, ten Filmfare Awards South, and a Filmfare Award in Hindi.

His 1985 Telugu film "Swathimuthyam" starring Kamal Hassan was India's official entry for Best Foreign Language film at the 59th Academy Awards.
Viswanath began his career as an audiographer for Vauhini Studios in Chennai and entered into film direction at Annapurna Pictures under filmmakers Adurthi Subba Rao and K. Ramnoth. In 1965 he made his debut as a director with the Telugu film 'Aatma Gowravam'.

Viswanath made his Bollywood debut with the 1979 film Sargam, which is a remake of his 1976 Siri Siri Muvva. Some of his other popular Hindi films include Kaamchor, Shubh Kaamna, Jaag Utha Insan, Sanjog, Eeshwar and Dhanwaan.

In 1995, Viswanath debuted as an actor in the Telugu film Subha Sankalpam. Viswanath had also acted in the television serials 'Siva Narayana Teertha', 'Chellamay', 'Suryiavamsam' and has appeared in several television commercials.

Born on February 19, 1930, in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, Viswanath is survived by his wife and three children.

(ANI)