The tragic, untimely death of Rajesh Pillai has left the Malayalam film industry in a complete state of shock. Filmmakers come and go; we watch them getting matured behind the lens and flourishing through the years.But when a promising filmmaker dies before reaching his potential, it just leaves us wanting more, a lot more.
Also read: Is 2016 a jinxed year for Malayalam filmdom?
With 'Traffic', Rajesh Pillai steered a new course
Here Onmanorama remembers Rajesh Pillai, and seven other great Mollywood filmmakers, who left us too soon:
Rajesh Pillai
Rajesh Pillai (41) was a new generation director, who carved his niche in the Malayalam movie industry with just a handful of movies. Rajesh was suffering from liver cirrhosis and apparently needed a liver transplant. The filmmaker passed away on February 27, 2016 at Kochi, a day after this fourth film Vettah released.
P Padmarajan
P. Padmarajan(45), who's known for his landmark works in Malayalam literature and cinema was the founder of a new school of filmmaking in Malayalam. Padmarajan was noted for his fine and detailed screenwriting and expressive direction style. He died due to a cardiac arrest on 23 May 1945, a death that is still widely mourned by movie buffs.
Bharathan
Bharathan (51) is regarded as one of the most influential and prolific filmmakers of Malayalam cinema and has directed more than 50 movies in multiple languages. Bharathan managed to steer clear of the "star-centric" culture prevalent in Indian cinema, throughout his career. Bharatan died at a private hospital in Madras on 30 July, 1998 following prolonged illness. His last film was 'Churam', which was released a year before his death.
Ramu Kariat
Ramu Kariat (52) began his career through the Kerala People's Arts Club (KPAC), a leftist theatre group, and debuted in films by co-directing the path-breaking film, 'Neelakkuyil', in 1954, along with P. Bhaskaran. His movie 'Chemmeen' is considered as the turning point in Malayalam cinema as it was the first Malayalam film to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. Ramu passed away in 1979.
John Abraham
John Abraham (49) was perhaps more famous for his style of living and way of thinking than for his films. He rebelled against all the established ways of life as well as filmmaking. Often considered as an avant-garde film director and writer, he completed only four films, and is possibly remembered most for his efforts in starting a people's cinema movement, an absolute form of independent filmmaking called Odessa Collective. On 30 May,1987 John was admitted to Calicut Medical College hospital after he accidentally fell off a balcony. He passed away on 31 May.
G Aravindan
Govindan Aravindan (56) played a major role in establishing theatre and music clubs Navarangam and Sopanam. He was known for his unorthodox ways of filmmaking; he changed his cinematic forms consistently and experimented in storytelling without regular narrative styles. Aravindan died on 15 March 1991, before the release of his last movie Vasthuhara.
PA Backer
P. A. Backer(53) was one of the "new wave" Malayalam film directors of the 1970s and 1980s. He turned director in 1975 with Kabani Nadi Chuvannappol, which won him the State award for best director. He passed away on 2 November, 1993.
Lohithadas
Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas (54) was known for his rich, detailed, and realistic screenplays. Lohithadas was one of the most prominent classic screen writers that Malayalam cinema has ever seen. On 28 June, 2009, he experienced chest pains and uneasiness at his home at Aluva near Ernakulam and was immediately taken to the Lisy Hospital, Kaloor, Ernakulam, where he was declared dead from a heart attack.