By H Ramakrishnan

A Humble Giant

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An era has ended. Director Sridhar was a great and humble giant. His creativity, talent, wit, and above all, generous heart made him the trend setter he was. You cannot find one thing in him. That is EGO. I feel he would have removed it at the editing table.

It is well nigh impossible to become a veteran at your maiden movie. Sridhar became one after his Kalyana Parisu - a mega hit!

If Sridhar's screenplay and dialogue brought a fresh wave to Tamil movies, his directorial touch would have fetched him an Oscar, if only he was in the business of English movies. Who can ever forget his Kathalikka Neramillai?

Only a Midas touch could have made a Thenilavu or an Ooty Varai Uravu. He chose to trod an unbeaten path in making movies and that appetite was equaled only by his penchant for new faces. Jayalalithaa, Vennira aadai Nirmala, Vennira aadai Murthy and Srikanth made their debut in his film 'Vennira aadai.

His focus was always on reality rather than on theatricality. That was the secret behind his instant success.

Deliberations on the glory of Tamil cinema will remain incomplete without mentioning the rich contribution from Sridhar. How can anyone ever forget the classics he made?

May his soul rest in peace.