Visu
Meenakshisundaram Ramasamy Viswanathan (1 July 1945 – 22 March 2020), best known by his stage name Visu, was an Indian writer, director, stage, film and television actor and talk-show host.[3] Visu initially worked as an assistant to director K. Balachander until becoming a director himself. He later began acting, with his first film being Kudumbam Oru Kadambam, directed by S. P. Muthuraman.
Visu | |
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Born | Meenakshisundaram Ramasamy Viswanathan[1] 1 July 1945[2] Tamil Nadu, India |
Died | 22 March 2020 74) Chennai, India | (aged
Occupation | Director, writer, stage actor, film actor, television host. |
Years active | 1981–2016 |
Spouse(s) | Sundhari (m.1975–2020) |
Children | Lavanya, Sangeetha and Kalpana |
Relatives | Kishmu (brother) |
Style
– Visu in 2016[4]
In Visu's films, all the characters were given equal importance. Often, there was huge house wherein a joint family would reside and the character of Visu would solve their problems. Many of Visu's film titles contain rhyming words, a trait which began with Samsaram Adhu Minsaram. His movies focused on many family issues like dowry , need of remarriage for women , mother in law-Daughter in law disputes and so on which were occurring that time. In most of the films he directed there's a character named Uma,that's his wife's name.[5]
Other works
A philanthropist, Visu had been supporting the needy through his own foundation. He became known for hosting live debates on television, namely Visuvin Makkal Arangam on Jaya TV and Arattai Arangam on Sun TV.[6][7] He joined and campaigned for BJP.[8]
Filmography
Year | Title | Credited as | Role | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Writer | Actor | ||||
1977 | Pattina Pravesam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1978 | Sadhurangam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | also dialogue | |
1980 | Avan Aval Adhu | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1980 | Mazhalai Pattalam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1981 | Thillu Mullu | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | As a film crew | Voice-Over Actor (Dubbing) |
1981 | Netrikkann | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1981 | Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1981 | Kudumbam Oru Kadambam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Srinivasa Raghavan | |
1982 | Kanmani Poonga | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Cricketer Ramkumar | |
1982 | Simla Special | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1982 | Manal Kayiru | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Uthramerur Narathar Naidu | |
1982 | Pudhukavithai | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1983 | Dowry Kalyanam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Ganesh | |
1984 | Nallavanuku Nallavan | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Owner Gangadharan | |
1984 | Puyal Kadantha Boomi | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Nammaalu alies Namachivaayan | |
1984 | Rajathandhiram | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Bairavan | |
1984 | Vaai Sollil Veeranadi | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Vengapuli Varadhachari | |
1984 | Naanayamillatha Naanayam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Veerapandi | |
1984 | Oorukku Upadesam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Sankaran | |
1985 | Puthiya Sagaptham | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Ramadasaradan | |
1985 | Aval Sumangalithan | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Watchman Aarumugam | |
1985 | Ketti Melam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1985 | Chidambara Rahasiyam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Beemarao | |
1986 | Mr. Bharath | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Kumaresa Gounder | |
1986 | Samsaram Adhu Minsaaram | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Ammaiyappa Mudaliyar | National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment |
1986 | Oomai Vizhigal | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Rathnasabapathy | |
1986 | Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Thulasi's father | |
1986 | Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1986 | Anandha Kanneer | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1987 | Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Naagarkoil Naadhamuni | |
1987 | Kavalan Avan Kovalan | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Prabhu's Father-in-law | |
1987 | Aadade Aadharam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Telugu film | |
1987 | Kathai Kathayam Karanamam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1988 | Penmani Aval Kanmani | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Radio Mama | |
1988 | Veedu Manaivi Makkal | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Subbaiah Pillai | |
1988 | Mappillai Sir | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Sock Puppet | |
1989 | Sakalakala Sammandhi | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Mayavaram Malayappan | |
1990 | Varavu Nalla Uravu | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Appa Ambalavanar | Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer |
1990 | Vedikkai En Vadikkai | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Kaavisattai Kandasamy | |
1992 | Mannan | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Viswanathan | |
1992 | Urimai Oonjaladugirathu | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Kasturi's Father | |
1992 | Neenga Nalla Irukkanum | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues | |
1993 | Uzhaippali | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Barrister | |
1993 | Chinna Mapillai | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Marriage Broker | |
1994 | Pattukottai Periyappa | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Pattukottai Periyappa | |
1994 | Aranmanai Kaavalan | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | CBI Officer | |
1994 | Vaa Magale Vaa | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Viswanathan | |
1994 | Vanaja Girija | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Business man Ramanathan | |
1994 | Vaanga Partner Vaanga | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Ganapathi | |
1995 | Mayabazar | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1995 | God Father | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Viswanatham | Telugu film |
1996 | Irattai Roja | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Guest appearance | |
1996 | Meendum Savithri | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Narayana Moorthy | |
1997 | Nesam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1997 | Aravindhan | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1997 | Adimai Changili | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1997 | Vasuki | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Ramasamy | |
1997 | Arunachalam | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Adv. Rangachari | |
1997 | Sishya | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1997 | Vaimaye Vellum | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1998 | Bhagavath Singh | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1999 | Anbulla Kadhalukku | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
1999 | Mannavaru Chinnavaru | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
2000 | Kakkai Siraginilae | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
2000 | Vaanavil | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | himself | |
2001 | Sigamani Ramamani | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Sundaramoorthy | |
2001 | Krishna Krishna | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Advocate Viswanathan | Guest appearance |
2001 | Middle Class Madhavan | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Advocate | |
2001 | Vadagupatti Maapillai | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Gomathi Shankar | |
2001 | Looty | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
2003 | Thithikudhe | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | himself | |
2004 | Maha Nadigan | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
2005 | Ji | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Raghavan | |
2007 | Cheena Thaana 001 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Governor | Guest role |
2007 | Nenjirukkumvarai Ninaivirukkum | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Guest role | |
2008 | Ellam Avan Seyal | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
2009 | Innoruvan | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Judge | |
2009 | Kannukulle | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
2013 | Alex Pandian | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Chief Minister | |
2013 | Oruvar Meethu Iruvar Sainthu | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Judge | |
2016 | Manal Kayiru 2 | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | Uthramerur Narathar Naidu |
References
- "CHATTING for a cause". The Hindu. 19 August 2004. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
- "TANTIS". tamilfilmdirectorsassociation.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- Balasubramanian, V. (3 April 2014). "I never left the stage". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019.
- "Looking back at the golden years". The New Indian Express. 9 July 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
- Rangan, Baradwaj (23 March 2020). "A Tribute To Visu, Known For His Middle-Class Melodramas Like Samsaram Adhu Minsaram". Film Companion. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
- thmrn. "The Hindu: Inimitable Visu". hindu.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- Devalla, Rani (11 November 2014). "A Passionate journey". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019.
- "Veteran actor Visu joins BJP". Deccan Chronicle. 31 January 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- "Veteran Kollywood director Visu passes away at 74". The New Indian Express. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- "உடல்நலக்குறைவால் நடிகர் விசு காலமானார்..!" [Actor Visu expired due to illness]. Dinamalar (in Tamil). 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- "Director Visu passes away". The Times of India. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
- "Veteran Kollywood director Visu passes away at 74". The News Minute. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.