Celebrated filmmaker and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Kasinadhuni Viswanath passed away at a private hospital in Hyderabad on late Thursday night. He was 92. Vishwanath, a five-time national awardee, was unwell for some time and died due to age-related issues, family sources said.
The veteran filmmaker passed away around midnight on Thursday.
Popularly known as ‘Kalatapasvi’, Viswanath was born in February 1930 in Andhra Pradesh and started his career in filmmaking as a sound engineer under director Adurthi Subba Rao. Later, he went on to work as an assistant director for Telugu film Pathala Bhairavi in 1951.
Viswanath went on to direct award-winning films like Sankarabharanam, Sagara Sangamam, Swati Mutyam, Saptapadi, Kaamchor, Sanjog and Jaag Utha Insaan during his illustrious career.
Viswanath, who made 50 movies since 1965, is a household name in the Telugu film industry and also renowned for his work in Tamil cinema and the Bollywood industry. The veteran artiste also had a successful stint as an actor in movies such as Swarabhishekam, “Pandurangadu”, “Narasimha Naidu”, “Lakshmi Narasimha” and “Seemasimham”, “Kuruthipunal”, “Kakkai Siraginilae” and “Bagavathi”, among others.
Viswanath’s directorial debut Aatma Gowravam, starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao, won the Nandi Award for the best feature film and followed more hits like Chelleli Kapuram, O Seeta Katha, Jeevana Jyoti and Sarada.
Viswanath was felicitated with the Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest recognition in Indian cinema, in 2017, as its 48th recipient. Over a four-decade long career, the illustrious director was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1992 and has also collected five 20 Nandi Awards (given by the Andhra Pradesh government) and 10 Filmfare trophies including the Lifetime Achievement award.
Several big-wigs of the Indian film industry paid tributes to the legendary filmmaker.
RRR director SS Rajamouli in his tribute posted on Twitter said that Viswanath’s signature on Telugu cinema and art in general will shine brightly forever.
Jr NTR in his condolence pointed out the late director’s contributions to Telugu cinema, saying that Viswanath holds a high place among those who spread the fame of Telugu cinema across the continents. “He gave many incredible films like Shankarabharan and Sagara Sangam. The loss without him is never-ending. My deepest condolences to his family and may his soul rest in peace.”
Calling Viswanath his Guru, Veteran Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor shared a picture of himself with the late director and thanked the filmmaker for teaching him the ropes during the actor’s early years. He wrote: “K. Vishwanath Ji you taught me so much, being on set with you during Eeshwar was like being in a temple… RIP My Guru.”
In an emotional note, Tamil superstar Manmooty wrote: “Deeply saddened by the demise of Sri K Viswanath Garu. Had the privilege of being directed by him in Swathikiranam. My thoughts and prayers with his loved ones.”
AR Rahman wrote, “Anjali tradition, warmth, heart, music, dance, love …..your movies filled my childhood with humaneness and wonder! #ripkviswanathji.”
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao also expressed his condolences over the death of Viswanath.