Veteran Tamil filmmaker, cinematographer, and actor Velu Prabhakaran passed away at the age of 68 in Chennai on Friday, July 18, 2025. He had been suffering from a long illness and was receiving treatment at a private hospital. On Thursday, his team had informed fans that he was in critical condition and under close medical supervision in the ICU.
Tamil Filmmaker Velu Prabhakaran Dies at 68
Velu Prabhakaran was well known in the Tamil film industry for making bold and thought-provoking movies. His films often dealt with sensitive topics such as caste, atheism, and sexuality. He was not afraid to break traditional boundaries and challenge social norms.
He started his career as a cinematographer in 1980 with the film Ivargal Vithyasamanavargal. He later became a director, making his debut with Nalaya Manithan in 1989. The movie was a science fiction horror film and gained attention for its unique theme. Its sequel Adhisaya Manithan was released in 1990.
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In the early 2000s, Velu made several films that sparked debate. One of his most controversial works was Kadhal Arangam, which was later released in 2009 as Kadhal Kadhai. The movie ran into trouble with the censor board for its content and dialogues.
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His last film as a director was Oru Iyakkunarin Kadhal Diary in 2017. In 2025, he appeared as an actor in the film Gajaana. Velu Prabhakaran was previously married to actor-director P Jayadevi. In 2017, at the age of 60, he married actress Shirley Das, who starred in Kadhal Kadhai and is half his age.
His funeral will be held at the Porur crematorium in Chennai on Sunday evening. Before that, the public can pay their respects at Valasaravakkam from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon. Velu’s death marks the end of an era in Tamil cinema. He will be remembered for his fearless storytelling and his contributions to meaningful cinema.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
