The Doyen of Tamil Cinema, Padmashri K. Balachander, has breathed his last today at a hospital in Chennai. He was under treatment for infection in his urinary tract.

Though his condition seemed to improve a few days ago, it again deteriorated today, eventually leading to his demise.

K.Balachander was instrumental is bringing talents like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Saritha, Sujatha, Janaki and Prakash Raj into the film industry. He was also the first director to introduce Chiranjeevi in Tamil.