(Image source from: newindianexpress.com)

Veteran Tamil director J Mahendran, 79, passed away on Tuesday morning after reportedly being ill since past few days and hospitalization in the Apollo, Chennai on Monday night.

He was on the ventilator. The last rites of the filmmaker are to be performed at 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday. He was last seen in Vijay Sethupathi starrer Seethakaathi and Rajinikanth starrer Petta.

The filmmaker's death, who was very much popular among the fans, has left them in a state of shock. His admirers will get to pay last respects to him at his residence at 10 a.m. today before his funeral at 5 p.m.

Mahendran is known for his films like Mullum Malarum, Johnny and Nenjathai Killadhey in the South film industry. His son John Mahendran, who is also a director, tweeted the news of his father's sad demise, saying, "DIRECTOR MAHENDRAN PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING."

DIRECTOR MAHENDRAN PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING. pic.twitter.com/usCPXX7Qsr

— Dir.JohnMahendran (@johnroshan) April 2, 2019

The filmmaker is also known to play a pivotal role in shaping the career of Rajinikanth through the film, Mullum Malarum.

-Sangam Sowmya