A. Jagannathan

Film career He made his debut as director in Manipayal in 1973 after working as an assistant to T. Prakash Rao and P. Neelakantan for almost 15 films, most of them being MGR movies. He directed the MGR film Idhayakkani, under the tutelage of R.M.Veerappan and went on to direct five other blockbuster films for RMV's Sathya Movies including Moondru Mugam with Rajinikanth and Kadhal Parisu with Kamal Hasaan. He also directed some television serials.

He directed Sivaji Ganesan's Vellai Roja which won awards including the Filmfare Award. Another successful venture in his career was Moondru Mugam.

Partial filmography

Year Film LanguageNotes 1973 Manipayal Tamil 1974 Idhayam Parkiradhu Tamil 1975 Idhayakkani Tamil 1976 Kumara Vijayam Tamil 1976 Nalla Penmani Tamil 1976 Athirshtam Azhaikkirathu Tamil 1977 Nandha En Nila Tamil 1978 Ival Oru Seethai Tamil 1979 Jaya Nee Jayuchutte Tamil 1979 Mugathil Mugan Paarkalaam Tamil 1979 Muthal Iravu Tamil 1980 Aayiram Vaasal Idhayam Tamil 1981 Pennmanum Pesugiradhu Tamil 1981 Sorgathin Thirappu Vizha Tamil 1982 Krodham Tamil 1982 Moondru Mugam Tamil 1983 Manaivi Illatha Neram Tamil 1983 Thanga Magan Tamil 1983 Vellai Roja Tamil Remake of Malayalam film PostmortemFilmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil 1984 Komberi Mookan Tamil 1984 Naalai Unathu Naal Tamil Remake of Gumnaam 1984 Oh Maane Maane Tamil Remake of Malayalam film Chattakari 1985 Karpoora Deepam Tamil 1985 Meendum Parasakthi Tamil 1987 Kadhal Parisu Tamil 1987 Muthukkal Moondru Tamil 1988 Dharmathma Kannada 1989 En Thangai Tamil 1991 Mill Thozhilali Tamil 1991 Archana IAS Tamil 1993 Tahqiqaat Hindi 1994 Watchman Vadivel Tamil1994 Khaidi No. 1 Telugu Remake of KhalnayakHero Tamil

Death He suffered from breathing ailments and was hospitalized in Coimbatore for a fortnight. He died on 7 October 2012, and was cremated at Tiruppur. He was survived by his wife Rajamani, daughters Usha Devi and Pavithra Devi and son Arun Kumar.