Writer, producer, director, and distributor Panchu Arunachalam passed away today at his residence. The veteran has made an extensive contribution to Tamil cinema. He has written almost 100 films, directed 7 and produced more than 15 films. Panchu Arunachalam is also the man who introduced Ilaiyaraaja, and made superstars like Rajinikanth, and Kamal Haasan!

Kollywood celebrities paid last respect to the veteran filmmaker. SP Muthuraman, Sivakumar with Suriya and Karthi, Rekha, Ilaiyaraja, Nasser, Kushboo, Sathyaraj, Mohan Raja with his father, AVM Saravanan, Bhagyaraj with wife Poornima and son Shathnu, Goundamani, Venkat Prabhu, Kovai Sarala and many other celebrities paid homage to the veteran. His last rites will take place on Thursday as his children have to arrive from the US.