Visu

Biography:

Visu, whose real name was Meenakshisundaram Ramasamy Viswanathan, was a prominent figure in the Indian entertainment industry. He initially worked as a theater artist and later gained recognition as an assistant to renowned director K. Balachander. During his tenure with Balachander, he contributed to the screenplay of several successful films, including “Thillu Mullu” and “Netrikkan” in 1981, both of which were hits for actor Rajinikanth. Visu made his acting debut in the film “Kudumbam Oru Kadambam” in 1981, for which he also wrote the screenplay.

As a director, Visu’s career took off with his film “Kanmani Poonga” in 1982, and he went on to create a series of films that focused on the issues of urban middle-class families. Many of his works, such as “Manal Kayiru,” “Samsaram Adhu Minsaram,” and “Chidambara Rahasiyam,” became crowd-pleasers, particularly among female audiences. His film “Neenga Nalla Irukkanum” even won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues in 1992. Visu shared the screen with Rajinikanth in several films, and his career encompassed over 60 films as an actor and around 25 films as a director.

Visu’s distinct style often featured a joint family setting and equal importance given to all characters. His films addressed various family issues such as dowry, the need for remarriage for women, and mother-in-law and daughter-in-law disputes. In addition to his film work, he was known for hosting television debates, particularly on Sun TV and Jaya TV. Visu also ventured into politics and supported the BJP. He passed away on March 22, 2020, in Chennai due to kidney failure at the age of 74.

Visu’s legacy in the Indian entertainment industry is marked by his unique storytelling and focus on family-centric themes, which resonated with audiences and left a lasting impact.