Tamil director K Subaash, who wrote Chennai Express, dead

Writer-director K Subaash, famous for writing the story of SRK-starrer Chennai Express, died in Chennai on Wednesday. He began his career assisting veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam in Nayagan.

Tamil writer-director K Subaash, best known for penning superstar Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chennai Express, breathed his last on Wednesday here. Subaash passed away at SRM hospital in Chennai.

K Subaash, who started his career as an assistant to Mani Ratnam in Nayagan, is best remembered as the writer of SRK-starrer Chennai Express.

“He was suffering from kidney failure and was on dialysis for the last few years. He passed away this morning,” said a source from the industry.

Subaash started his career as an assistant to Mani Ratnam in 1987 Tamil film Nayagan, and a year later he made his directorial debut with Prabhu-starrer Kaliyugam.

He directed nearly 20 films with last one being 2005 Hindi actioner Insan, which featured Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, Esha Deol and Lara Dutta.

He had also assisted Rajkumar Santoshi on a few projects.

As a writer, he had worked on Hindi films such as Sunday, Entertainment and Housefull 3.

Remembering Subaash as a gentle and humble person, writer Shridhar Raghavan wrote on his Twitter page: “Many took Subaash’s stories and ideas without credit or money. He’d laugh “We are rivers sir. If a needy fellow comes with a bucket, let him.”

Actor Radikaa Sarath Kumar wrote: “Very saddened to hear about the passing away of director K Subaash, a long time associate and director of Pavithra film with Ajith and many more. Sad.”

The last rites of Subaash will take place on Wednesday.