New Delhi: Dadasaheb Phalke awardee and renowned director Kasinadhuni Viswanath passed away at the age of 92 late Thursday night at a private hospital in Hyderabad.
Prime Minister Narendra and several celebrities expressed their grief over his demise.
PM Modi in a tweet wrote: “Saddened by the passing away of Shri K. Viswanath Garu. He was a stalwart of the cinema world, distinguishing himself as a creative and multifaceted director. His films covered various genres and enthralled audiences for decades. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Taking to his Twitter handle, ‘RRR’ director SS Rajamouli wrote, “Your signature on Telugu Cinema &art in general will shine brightly forever (rest was written in a regional language).”
Jr NTR extended condolence and wrote, “Vishwanath holds a high place among those who spread the fame of Telugu cinema across the continents. He gave many incredible films like Shankarabharan and Sagara Sangam. The loss without him is never-ending. My deepest condolences to his family and may his soul rest in peace.”
Sharing pictures of himself and late director K Viswanath, Anil Kapoor wrote, “K. Vishwanath Ji you taught me so much, being on set with you during Eeshwar was like being in a temple… RIP My Guru.”
Mammootty penned an emotional note, “Deeply saddened by the demise of Sri K Viswanath Garu. Had the privilege of being directed by him in Swathikiranam. My thoughts and prayers with his loved ones.”
AR Rahman wrote, “Anjali tradition,warmth,heart,music,dance,love …..your movies filled my childhood with humaneness and wonder! #ripkviswanathji.” He also shared a picture with him on his Twitter account.
Viswanath started his professional life as an audiographer. His filmmaking career began under director Adurthi Subba Rao after a brief stint as a sound engineer, and he later went on to work as an assistant director for Telugu film Pathala Bhairavi in 1951.
With the 1965 movie Aatma Gowravam, Viswanath made his directorial debut and went on to win the state Nandi award.
Following it, the director released ‘Chelleli Kapuram’, ‘O Seeta Katha’, ‘Jeevana Jyoti’, and ‘Sarada’. In addition to performing in major films, Viswanath also directed some of them, including ‘Swarabhishekam’, ‘Pandurangadu’, ‘Narasimha Naidu’, ‘Lakshmi Narasimha’ and ‘Seemasimham’, ‘Kuruthipunal’, ‘Kakkai Siraginilae’ and ‘Bagavathi’.
Additionally, he appeared in over twenty films from the Tamil and Telugu film industries.
He also did many collaborations with Rakesh Roshan in Bollywood.
He was honoured with Padma Shri honour in 1992 and the Dada Saheb Phalke in 2017. Over the course of a career spanning over four decades, he had won the Filmfare awards eight times.