I.V Sasi - The Master Storyteller

Veteran Malayalam filmmaker I V Sasi, 69, passed away on October 24th at Chennai. The legendary director who was ailing for some time developed uneasiness on Tuesday morning and breathed his last on his way to the hospital. He is survived by his wife, the popular yesteryear actress Seema, a son and a daughter. In his three decades career, IV Sasi was a pathbreaker and stood away from the other commercial filmmakers and gave the audience gritty realistic films with technical brilliance.

He was born in Kozhikode and entered the film world after earning a diploma from the Madras School of Arts

In a career spanning over three decades, I.V Sasi has directed more than 150 films.

It was to become an art director that he boarded a train to Chennai in 1968 for the movie Kaliyalla Kalyanam.

Seven years later, he made his debut as a director with Ulsavam.

The first film which helped him carve a niche for himself in Malayalam film industry was Avalude Raavukal, starring Seema in the lead role.

I.V Sasi has played a key role in turning actors like Mammootty, Mohanlal, Jayan, Sukumaran, Soman, Vincent and Seema into stars.

I.V Sasi who was instrumental in establishing Mammootty and Mohanlal in the industry is also the one who introduced Rajinikanth to the Malayalam industry with Allauddinum Albutha Vilakkum in 1979. Kaali, one of Rajinikanth's memorable films, was also directed by IV Sasi.

His critically and commercially hit Malayalam films include Anubhavam, Aavanazhi, Aalkkoottathil Thaniye, 1921, Mrigaya, Devasuram, Kanamarayathu, Aksharangal and Vadakaykkoru Hrudayam among many others.

I.V Sasi has also directed films in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi. I.V Sasi’s first Bollywood film was Karishma, a remake of Bharatiraja's Kamal Haasan starrer Tik Tik Tik. His most renowned Hindi film is Anokha Rishta, starring Rajesh Khanna and Smita Patil.

He had received two state awards for Best Film. In 1992, IV Sasi was awarded the prestigious Nargis Dutt Award for best feature film on national integration for his film Aaroodam. The Kerala state government had honoured him with the JC Daniel award in 2015. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

He went on to marry Seema, who starred in several of his memorable films. The couple has two children.