Kama Of Kingstone

Noted Tamil film director, Sridhar, a trend setter in modern Tamil cinema, here on Monday of a cardiac arrest, family sources said.

Sridhar (73), paralysed for the past few years and confined to the wheel-chair, is survived by hiswife, a son and a daughter.

The man with the midas touch, Sridhar churned out some of the best romantic comedies in Tamil like "Thenilavu" starring Gemini Ganesan and Vyjayanthi Mala Bali and the first Tamil film to be shot in Jammu and Kashmir, "Kadhalikka Neramillai" -- a cult classic, and others like "Ooty Varai Uravu," starring Tamil icon the late Sivaji Ganesan in the lead.

Known for his penchant for new faces, Sridhar had to his credit introducing various top yesteryear actors such as AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa, airhostess-turned-actor Kanchana and actor Ravichandran, among others.

While the director's debut film "Kalyana Parisu" was a runaway hit, he is best remembered for his "Kadalikaa Neramillai," a light-hearted movie on impersonation.