Kudisai (The Hut) fame film director and writer Jayabharathi, hailed as a pioneer of alternate genre cinema, died in Chennai due to age-related ailments on Friday, a source close to him said. He was 77. Jayabharathi was admitted to a hospital here after his health deteriorated and he breathed his last early on Friday, the source said. TP Madhavan Dies at 88; Veteran Malayalam Actor Was Known For Films Like ‘Ragam’, ‘Nivedyam’ Among Others.

"He was a person who lived only for alternate cinema. When he gets Rs 10,000 he would think of making an alternate cinema," Tamil film comedian and former legislator S Ve Shekher, who gave the sound effects for Jayabharathi's maiden film Kudisai, said.

Jayabharathi Passes Away at 77

"He lived for alternate cinemas all his life. He was greatly influenced by international films. We can say Jayabharathi is a pioneer of alternate genre cinemas," Shekhar told PTI.

Jayabharathi's film Nanba Nanba, which had Shekher's brother in the lead role, won the national award.

His film Kudisai, which shot him to fame, was produced and released through crowdfunding in 1979. He last directed the film Puthiran in 2010.

It is said the director-writer lived in poverty during his last phase of life. He had worked as a journalist before entering the film industry. Kaviyoor Ponnamma Dies at 79: From ‘Sandesam’ to ‘Kireedam’, 7 Most Loved ‘Mother’ Roles of the Late Actress That Remain Eternally Etched in Our Hearts.

Shekhar has appealed to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin to confer state honours on Jayabharathi.