Latest news with #Velu


Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Tamil Cinema Loses Visionary: Velu Prabhakaran Dies At 68
Tamil cinema mourns the loss of filmmaker, cinematographer, and actor Velu Prabhakaran, who passed away at 68 in a Chennai private hospital on Friday following a long illness. On Thursday, his team announced on X that he was in critical condition, receiving intensive care and constant medical supervision. Known for his fearless approach, Velu Prabhakaran directed films that challenged societal norms, tackling themes like atheism, caste, and sexuality. His notable works include Nalaya Manithan (1989), its sequel Adhisaya Manithan (1990), and Kadhal Kadhai (2009), which faced scrutiny from the Central Board of Film Certification for its bold content. He began his career as a cinematographer with Ivargal Vithyasamanavargal (1980) and later explored action films in the late '90s and early 2000s. His final directorial venture was Oru Iyakkunarin Kadhal Diary (2017), and he last appeared as an actor in Gajaana (2025). Velu was previously married to actor-director P Jayadevi and later wed actor Shirley Das in 2017, who starred in Kadhal Kadhai. His last rites are scheduled for Sunday evening at Porur crematorium, with his body available for public homage at Valasaravakkam in Chennai from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon.


The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Tamil director Velu Prabhakaran passes away at 68
Tamil filmmaker and actor Velu Prabhakaran, best known for helming films such as Nalaya Manithan, Puratchikkaaran, Asuran, and Rajali, breathed his last today, July 18, at a private hospital in Chennai. He was 68. The director was suffering from a prolonged illness and had been receiving treatment over the last few days. Sources say that Velu was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and was put on ventilator support yesterday; however, unfortunately, the filmmaker passed away earlier this morning. Velu began his career as a cinematographer in 1980, working under director Mouli on films such as Ivargal Vidhiyasamanavargal and Matravai Neril. He made his directorial debut with 1989's Nalaya Manithan, starring Prabhu, Ajay Rathnam, Amala, and Jaishankar, which, interestingly, also got a sequel the following year, titled Adhisaya Manithan. His films, popular for their controversial subjects, were largely laced with themes of revolution, anti-casteism and sensuality. Notably, a song from Velu's 1995 film Asuran, called 'Chakku Chakku Vathikuchi', found a new audience recently after director Lokesh Kanagaraj used it in his hit 2022 action film Vikram, starring Kamal Haasan. After appearing in small roles in his own directorials, Velu transitioned into a full-time actor over the last six years, having acted in films such asGangs of Madras, Jango, Cadaver, and Weapon. His last on-screen appearance was in the Vedhika-Yogi Babu starrer Gajaana. According to reports, the director last helmed a film titled Yaar Antha Sir?, starring Mansoor Ali Khan, which has yet to see the light of the day. Velu's professional and personal lives were marked by many controversies. The director was married to the late actor P. Jayadevi, who had previously acted in his films Kadavul and Puratchikkaaran. In 2017, Velu married actor Shirley Das, who starred in his 2009 film Kadhal Kadhai. The news about Velu Prabhakaran's death has come as a shock to many. Fans and industry colleagues have been expressing their condolences on social media. The director's mortal remains will be kept for public homage at his residence in Valasaravakkam, Chennai, from Saturday evening (July 19) to Sunday afternoon (July 20). The cremation will take place on Sunday evening.


Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Velu Prabhakaran Death News: 'Kadhal Kadhai' director Velu Prabhakaran passes away at 68
Veteran Tamil filmmaker, cinematographer, and actor passed away in Chennai in the early hours of Friday, July 18, at the age of 68. According to India Today, the renowned director had been undergoing treatment for a prolonged illness and suffered a fatal heart attack while admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Gangs Of Madras | Song - Malai Malaruthada According to the sources, Velu Prabhakaran's mortal remains will be kept at his residence in Valasaravakkam, Chennai, for public homage from Saturday evening (July 19) to Sunday afternoon (July 20). His final rites will be held later that day at the Porur crematorium. It will be done in the presence of close friends and family. A life in frames: From cinematographer to controversial auteur Velu began his journey in the world of cinema as a cinematographer and later transitioned into directing. His debut directorial venture was 'Nalaya Manithan' which was released in the year 1989. The movie had its sequel which was titled 'Adhisaya Manithan' (1990). Though he faced setbacks with films like 'Asuran' and 'Rajali', Velu reinvented himself by venturing into action-packed and socially provocative storytelling in the late '90s and early 2000s. ' Kadhal Kadhai ' success His most talked-about work remains 'Kadhal Kadhai' (originally titled 'Kadhal Arangam'), a film that courted controversy for its depiction of caste, sexuality, and social taboos. Starring newcomers Preethi Rangayani and Shirley Das, the film faced stiff opposition from the Censor Board before eventually being released with cuts and a new title. Personal life: A quiet man who courted bold choices Velu was previously married to actor-director Jayadevi. Years after their separation, he surprised many when he remarried at 60, tying the knot with actress Shirley Das—his Kadhal Kadhai heroine. Tamil film industry has indeed lost a gem with the demise of Velu Prabhakaran who has made several cinematic contributions.

Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
BIG, PTT to jointly develop new air separation unit
BIG, a Thai low-carbon industrial gas manufacturer, has joined hands with PTT Plc to develop a new air separation unit in Rayong, aimed at further strengthening an eco-friendly process used to produce low-carbon gases. The facility, known as MAP2, comes after its predecessor, MAP1, which has significantly driven industries towards net-zero targets aimed at achieving a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and absorption. The air separation unit utilises cold energy from the liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification process in BIG's industrial gas production. "The success of MAP1, which delivers low-carbon industrial gases, including low-carbon oxygen, low-carbon nitrogen, and low-carbon argon, enables industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move towards net-zero goals, and also offers solutions and technologies that help customers and industries reduce their carbon footprint," said Ramani Velu, managing director of BIG. These solutions have been certified by the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization for their ability to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 50%, compared to conventional industrial gas production, resulting in an average reduction of 93,000 tonnes of CO2 per year between 2022 and 2024. "This carbon-reducing technology will be further enhanced in MAP2 for even greater efficiency, driving BIG to expand its efforts in the MAP2 project," said Mr Velu. The collaboration with PTT, the national oil and gas conglomerate, reinforces BIG's business strategy of "Generating a Cleaner Future" to create a clean and sustainable future, he added. By integrating BIG's expertise in industrial gases with PTT's energy capabilities, BIG is confident that MAP2 will be another crucial step forward in enhancing the competitiveness of Thai industries at an international level. MAP2, which reflects the commitment of both companies to drive Thailand towards a low-carbon society, employs advanced and environmentally friendly industrial gas production technology by maximising the utilisation of cold energy from the LNG receiving and regasification process. This will significantly reduce energy consumption, lower production costs, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. MAP2 will serve as another key mechanism to support various Thai industries, such as petrochemicals, metals, automotive, electronics, and food, by providing access to high-quality low-carbon industrial gases produced through carbon-reduction processes. This is a crucial global trend. Both PTT and BIG are committed to working closely together to ensure the successful completion of the MAP2 project, contributing to the sustainable growth of the country's economy based on environmental technology and innovation.


Pink Villa
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Not Netflix or Prime Video, Shanmugha Pandian's action film Padai Thalaivan is releasing on this OTT platform
Padai Thalaivan hit the big screens on June 13, 2025. The film is based on a true story and celebrates the unique bonding between a man and an elephant, against the rural backdrop of Odisha. In fact, the film featured a very special AI-generated cameo of the late actor Captain Vijayakanth. The movie is now all set for an OTT release soon. When and where to watch Padai Thalaivan Padai Thalaivan will begin streaming on Tentkotta from July 18. However, it won't be available for viewing by audiences in India and only accessible to those outside the country. The OTT giant confirmed the same with a post on their X handle. They wrote 'One bond. One battle. One wild ride!#ShanmugaPandian's #Padaithalaivan storms in July 18 — with action, heart & Captain #Vijayakanth in a powerful AI cameo!.' Official trailer and plot of Padai Thalaivan The storyline of Padai Thalaivan narrates the life of Velu, a mahout renowned for his extreme love and affection for his elephant. One day, a corrupt priest and his men hatch a plan and steal Velu's elephant, leaving him in dismay. Things begin to turn upside down in Velu's life, as he already has a lot of debt to his name and used to rent out his pet elephant for various events to earn some money and clear his name. As Velu begins an uprooting search for his elephant named Manian, he is led to Odisha, where he discovers that the latter is being prepared for a ritual sacrifice by a tribal cult. He decides to transform himself from being just an innocent and naive villager to a brave hero and devises the best way to rescue Manian. In the process, he also takes it upon himself to rescue the other oppressed villagers who are under the tyrannical rule of the powerful. Cast and crew of Padai Thalaivan The film stars Shanmugha Pandian, Kasthuri Raja, Yamini Chander, Munishkanth, Karudan Ram, Rishi Rithvik, A Venkatesh, Yugi Sethu, and others in key roles. The late actor Captain Vijayakanth is featured in a special cameo appearance in the movie, made possible with the help of AI. Padai Thalaivan is written by Parthiban Desingu, while it is directed by U Anbu. Ilaiyaraja has composed the musical score of the movie.