Sasi, 69, dominated the Malayalam film scene for four decades, since 1970s with a wide variety of films. Photo: ManoramaChennai: Eminent Malayalam filmmaker I.V. Sasi, who died Tuesday, was laid to rest in Porur here Wednesday evening.
The mortal remains of the veteran filmmaker were consigned to flames at the electric crematorium at Porur at 5 pm. His son Ani performed the final rites.
The body was taken to the crematorium after Sasi's daughter Anu, husband Milan Nair and their son Aarav reached here from Australia.
I.V. Sasi's son Ani performs the final rites for his father in Chennai on Wednesday. Film personalities such as actors Mammootty, Mohanlal, Kamal Haasan, Suresh Gopi Rahman, Asokan, Sheela, Ambika, Revathi, Menaka, directors Hariharan, Sibi Malayail, Priyadarshan, Kamal and Ranjith, and producers Liberty Basheer, P.V. Gangadharan and Suresh Kumar among others had paid their last respects to the departed soul at his house.
Keralites in Chennai also paid last respects to the filmmaker.
Earlier in the day, the mortal remains of the director were kept for the public to pay homage at his house in Saligramam.
I.V. Sasi's mortal remains being taken to the crematorium at Porur, Chennai, on Wednesday.Sasi, 69, dominated the Malayalam film scene for four decades since 1970s with a wide variety of films through his close association with veteran writers like Jnanpith laureate M.T. Vasudevan Nair, late T Damodaran and P Padmarajan.
With over 150 movies to his credit, Sasi made a mark in the industry through the path breaking movie Avalude Ravukal, a sympathetic look at the life of a sex worker.
Though the movie dealt with a risque theme, Sasi, made the film a success with his deft handling of the subject.
Seema, the reel-life heroine in that new wave movie, later became his partner in real-life. They had a successful on-screen collaboration throughout their careers.
The director, who began his film career as an art director, went on to become one of the most sought after filmmakers from 1970s to mid 1990s.
His first directorial venture, Ulsavam (1975), a love story, starred by Vincent and late Sreevidhya and was a hit.
A native of Kozhikode district, Irruppam Veedu Sasidharan, was a diploma holder from Madras School of Arts.
I. V. Sasi's mortal remains being consigned to flames at the electric crematorium at Porur, Chennai, on Wednesday.Some of his well-known blockbusters include Alkoottathil Thaniye, Kanamarayathu, Aksharangal and Vadakaykkoru Hrudayam, Itha Ivide Vare, Angadi, Ee Nadu, Vartha, Devasuram and Avanazhi.
Sasi blurred the divide between the commerce and art in Malayalam films and was instrumental in moulding several superstars of the industry such as Mammootty, Mohanlal and veterans like late Jayan and Sukumaran.
Vellathooval, released in 2009, was Sasi's last movie, which he directed after a long gap. He also had some Tamil and Hindi movies to his credit.
Sasi, who was planning a comeback to the industry in recent times, was a winner of national and state awards.
In 2015, the Kerala government presented him with the JC Daniel Award, the highest film honor in the state, in recognition for his overall contribution to the film industry.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the demise of Sasi and said he was a filmmaker who rewrote the conventional formula in the Malayalam film industry.
Sasi's long-term friend and Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan tweeted: "My friend for 45 years I.V. Sasi is no more. The industry and I mourn a great technician. My support and love to my sister Seema Sasi and family."
Mourning his death, Mammootty said, "I feel sad on the demise of my beloved friend."
Calling him the 'master of Malayalam movie industry', Mohanlal said, "Portraying the life of commoners, I.V. Sasi was a man who created wonders on the silver screen. I salute the master of Malayalam movie industry who made the viewers and actors, including me, understand the basics of cinema."
(With inputs from PTI)
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