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 (1981), directed by S. P. Muthuraman.^[4]

Visu
Born	Meenakshisundaram Ramasamy Viswanathan^[1] (1945-07-01)1 July 1945^[2] Tamil Nadu, India
Died	22 March 2020(2020-03-22) (aged 74) Chennai, India
Occupation(s)	Director, writer, actor, television host.
Years active	1977–2019

Career

He started his career as a theatre artist, working with Y. G. Parthasarathy's drama troupe. He was writing scripts for stage dramas before getting into the film industry as an assistant to legendary director K. Balachander. During his time with Balachander, he wrote screenplays for numerous films including Pattina Pravesam (1977), Avan Aval Adhu (1980), Thillu Mullu (1981) and Netrikkan (1981). Thillu Mullu and Netrikkan, which were both released in 1981, became box office hits for actor Rajinikanth.Visu made his debut as an actor in the film Kudumbam Oru Kadambam (1981), for which he also wrote the screenplay. The film was directed by S. P. Muthuraman. Though Visu acted as a protagonist in a few of his own films, he was largely known as a character artist.

His first film as a director was Kanmani Poonga (1982). Most of his films including Manal Kayiru (1982), Dowry Kalyanam (1983), Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1986), Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi (1987), Penmani Aval Kanmani (1988), Vedikkai En Vadikkai (1990) and Pattukottai Periyappa (1994) spoke about the issues of urban middle-class families. These films, which were released in the mid-80s, turned out to be crowd pullers, particularly with regard to the female audience.^[5] His other super hit was Chidambara Rahasiyam (1985), which is considered a cult-classic.^[6]

Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1986) was the first Tamil film to win the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

While he has directed a rage of actors on screen, he and his brother Kishmu used to star in his films as well in memorable roles. His film Neenga Nalla Irukkanum won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues in 1992. Based on prohibition, the film was the last onscreen appearance of then chief minister, J. Jayalalithaa.^[7]

He has also shared the screen with Rajinikanth in Nallavanukku Nallavan (1984), Mr. Bharath (1986), Mannan (1992), Uzhaippali (1993) and Arunachalam (1997).

During the ending phase of his career, he made movies which did not leave a lasting mark on the audience as Vaa Magale Vaa (1994), Meendum Savithri (1996) and Sigamani Ramamani (2001).^[8]

Actor and stage artiste S. Ve. Shekher, who has worked in over 20 films with Visu, said that he was an extremely disciplined and committed.^[9]

As an actor, he was last seen in Manal Kayiru 2 (2016), the sequel to one of his earliest directorial successes, Manal Kayiru.

He is known to have starred in over 60 films and directed around 25 films.^[10]

Style

"Growing up in a joint family, I observed how each person had a difference of opinion. It wasn't bad; just that we were different. I wondered, 'Wouldn't other joint families have similar issues?' So I started writing scripts that reflect the day-to-day scenario in a joint family".

 – Visu in 2016^[11]

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, such as Kudumbam Oru Kadambam, Samsaram Adhu Minsaram, Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi, Kavalan Avan Kovalan, Penmani Aval Kanmani, Varavu Nalla Uravu and Vedikkai En Vadikkai. His films 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 is a character named Uma, named after a school teacher who predicted his rise to fame after reading one of his scripts when he was a travel agent.^{[12][13][14][15]}

Other works

A philanthropist, Visu had been supporting the needy through his own foundation. He became known for hosting live debates on television, namely Arattai Arangam on Sun TV and Visuvin Makkal Arangam on Jaya TV.^[16][17] He joined and campaigned for BJP.^[18]

Final years and Death

Towards the final years of his life, Visu fought and survived throat cancer. His voice became a bit coarse because of that. Afterwards, he had to undergo dialysis for 3 days a week due to kidney problems. Always a fighter, he never gave up, keeping himself active with a Webtv called Visuma TV, giving lots of interviews and also taking part in contemporary politics. In order to prevent burdening his children with the awards and memorable prizes he got during his career, he destroyed all of them. Visu has also written the screenplay for Samsaram Adhu Minsaram part 2, but could not see it made into a film during his lifetime.^[19][20]

Visu died due to kidney failure on 22 March 2020 at Chennai, at the age of 74.^{[21][22][23][24]}

Filmography

Films

Year	Title	Credited as			Role	Notes
		Director	Writer	Actor
1977	Pattina Pravesam	N	Y	N
1978	Sadhurangam	N	Y	N		also dialogue
1980	Avan Aval Adhu	N	Y	N
1980	Mazhalai Pattalam	N	Y	N
1981	Thillu Mullu	N	Y	Y	As a film crew	Voice-Over Actor (Dubbing)
1981	Netrikkann	N	Y	N
1981	Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum	N	Y	N
1981	Kudumbam Oru Kadambam	N	Y	Y	Srinivasa Raghavan
1982	Kanmani Poonga	Y	Y	Y	Cricketer Ramkumar
1982	Simla Special	N	Y	N
1982	Manal Kayiru	Y	Y	Y	Uthramerur Narathar Naidu
1982	Pudhukavithai	N	Y	N
1983	Oru Kai Paappom	N	N	Y	Kai adi Kamalaknnan
1983	Dowry Kalyanam	Y	Y	Y	Ganesh
1984	Nallavanuku Nallavan	N	Y	Y	Owner Gangadharan
1984	Puyal Kadantha Boomi	Y	Y	Y	Nammaalu allies Namachivaayan
1984	Rajathandhiram	Y	Y	Y	Bairavan
1984	Vaai Sollil Veeranadi	Y	Y	Y	Vengapuli Varadhachari
1984	Nanayam Illatha Nanayam	Y	Y	Y	Veerapandi
1984	Oorukku Upadesam	N	N	Y	Sankaran
1985	Puthiya Sagaptham	Y	Y	Y	Ramadasaradan
1985	Aval Sumangalithan	Y	Y	Y	Watchman Aarumugam
1985	Ketti Melam	Y	Y	Y
1985	Chidambara Rahasiyam	Y	Y	Y	Beemarao
1986	Mr. Bharath	N	Y	Y	Kumaresa Gounder
1986	Dharma Pathini	N	Y	Y	Lawyer "Vicks" Vardarajan
1986	Samsaram Adhu Minsaaram	Y	Y	Y	Ammaiyappa Mudaliyar	National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
1986	Oomai Vizhigal	N	N	Y	Rathnasabapathy
1986	Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu	N	N	Y	Thulasi's father
1986	Thaaiku Oru Thaalaattu	N	N	Y	Ponnambalam
1986	Anandha Kanneer	N	N	Y	Paapa Panchu
1987	Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi	Y	Y	Y	Naagarkoil Naadhamuni
1987	Kavalan Avan Kovalan	Y	Y	Y	Prabhu's Father-in-law
1987	Aadade Aadharam	Y	Y	Y		Nandi Award for Second Best Story Writer^[25] Telugu film
1987	Kathai Kathayam Karanamam	N	N	Y
1988	Veedu Manaivi Makkal	N	N	Y	Subbaiah Pillai
1988	Penmani Aval Kanmani	Y	Y	Y	Radio Mama
1988	Illu Illalu Pillalu	Y	Y	Y		Telugu film
1988	Mappillai Sir	N	N	Y	Vakkil Varadharajan
1989	Sakalakala Sammandhi	Y	Y	Y	Mayavaram Malayappan
1990	Varavu Nalla Uravu	Y	Y	Y	Appa Ambalavanar	Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Story Writer
1990	Vedikkai En Vadikkai	Y	Y	Y	Kaavisattai Kandasamy
1992	Mannan	N	N	Y	Viswanathan
1992	Urimai Oonjaladugirathu	Y	Y	Y	Kasturi's Father
1992	Neenga Nalla Irukkanum	Y	Y	Y		National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues
1993	Uzhaippali	N	N	Y	Barrister
1993	Chinna Mapillai	N	N	Y	Marriage Broker
1994	Pattukottai Periyappa	Y	Y	Y	Pattukottai Periyappa
1994	Aranmanai Kaavalan	N	N	Y	Silai thirudan Santhanam
1994	Vaa Magale Vaa	Y	Y	Y	Viswanathan
1994	Vanaja Girija	N	N	Y	Business man Ramanathan
1994	Vaanga Partner Vaanga	N	N	Y	Ganapathi
1995	Mayabazar	N	N	Y	Vishwanathan
1995	God Father	N	N	Y	Viswanatham	Telugu film
1996	Irattai Roja	N	N	Y	Anchor	Guest appearance
1996	Meendum Savithri	Y	Y	Y	Narayana Moorthy
1997	Nesam	N	N	Y	Himself
1997	Aravindhan	N	N	Y
1997	Adimai Changili	N	N	Y
1997	Vasuki	N	N	Y	Ramasamy
1997	Arunachalam	N	N	Y	Adv. Rangachari
1997	Sishya	N	N	Y	Aadhimoolam
1997	Vaimaye Vellum	N	N	Y
1998	Bhagavath Singh	N	N	Y
1999	Mannavaru Chinnavaru	N	N	Y	Shanmugasundaram
1999	Anbulla Kadhalukku	N	N	Y	Chandrasekhar
2000	Kakkai Siraginilae	N	N	Y	Judge
2000	Vaanavil	N	N	Y	Himself
2001	Sigamani Ramamani	Y	Y	Y	Sundaramoorthy
2001	Krishna Krishna	N	N	Y	Advocate Viswanathan	Guest appearance
2001	Middle Class Madhavan	N	N	Y	Advocate
2001	Vadagupatti Maapillai	N	N	Y	Gomathi Shankar
2001	Looty	N	N	Y	Dr. Kuzhanthavelu
2003	Thithikudhe	N	N	Y	Himself
2004	Maha Nadigan	N	N	Y
2005	Ji	N	N	Y	Raghavan
2007	Cheena Thaana 001	N	N	Y	Governor	Guest appearance
2007	Nenjirukkumvarai Ninaivirukkum	N	N	Y		Guest appearance
2008	Ellam Avan Seyal	N	N	Y
2009	Innoruvan	N	N	Y	Judge
2009	Kannukulle	N	N	Y
2013	Alex Pandian	N	N	Y	Chief Minister
2013	Oruvar Meethu Iruvar Sainthu	N	N	Y	Judge
2016	Manal Kayiru 2	N	Y	Y	Uthramerur Narathar Naidu

Television

• Arattai Arangam - Sun TV
• Makkal Arangam - Jaya TV
• Naalavathu Mudichu - Jaya TV^[26]

References

1. . The Hindu. 19 August 2004. Archived from the original on 19 October 2004. Retrieved 4 June 2019.
2. . tamilfilmdirectorsassociation.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
3. Balasubramanian, V. (3 April 2014). . The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019.
4. "Exclusive biography of #Visu and on his life". from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
5. "Tamil actor-director Visu passes away". 22 March 2020. from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
6. "Veteran Tamil actor, director Visu passes away at 74". The Week. from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
7. "Remembering veteran actor Visu, pioneer of successful family-friendly Tamil films". from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
8. "Kollywood Director Visu Biography, News, Photos, Videos". from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
9. "Actor, director Visu dies at 75, funeral to be held on Monday". The Hindu. 22 March 2020. from the original on 10 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
10. "Veteran Tamil actor-director Visu dies of prolonged kidney-related ailments at age 74". Indulge Express. from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
11. "Looking back at the golden years". The New Indian Express. 9 July 2016. from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
12. Ashok Kumar, S. R. (26 March 2020). "Visu, a colossus". The Hindu. from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
13. Rangan, Baradwaj (23 March 2020). "A Tribute To Visu, Known For His Middle-Class Melodramas Like Samsaram Adhu Minsaram". Film Companion. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
14. "Remembering Visu, the king of the middle-class family drama". The News Minute. 24 March 2020. from the original on 22 March 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
15. "விசு நினைவு தினம்: காலத்தால் அழியாத 'சம்சாரம் அது மின்சாரம்'". Dinamani (in Tamil). 22 March 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
16. thmrn. . The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 January 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
17. Devalla, Rani (11 November 2014). . The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019.
18. "Veteran actor Visu joins BJP". Deccan Chronicle. 31 January 2016. from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
19. Visu's channel on YouTube
20. Visu's channel on YouTube
21. "Veteran Kollywood director Visu passes away at 74". The New Indian Express. 22 March 2020. from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
22. [Actor Visu expired due to illness]. Dinamalar (in Tamil). 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
23. "Director Visu passes away". The Times of India. 22 March 2020. from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
24. "Veteran Kollywood director Visu passes away at 74". The News Minute. 22 March 2020. from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
25. "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF) (in Telugu). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
26. Jaya TV (11 October 2021). நாலாவது முடிச்சு- Naalavathu Mudichu | Tamil Serial | Jaya TV Rewind | Episode 1. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021 – via YouTube.

External links

• Visu at IMDb