Chennai: Vinu Chakravarthy, a well-known actor, script writer and director, died in the city on Thursday night after prolonged illness. He was 74. He is survived by wife, a son and a daughter. The last rites will be held on Friday, according to family sources. The Kalaimamani, who had starred in over thousand movies including Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam and Badaga, till the early 2000s, was one of Rajinikanth’s lucky co-stars. He had worked with him in over 20 films like Manithan, Siva, Guru Sishyan, Thambikku Entha Ooru, Arunachalam, Veera and Mappillai. His sense of comic timing and unique way of dialogue delivery won him fame and fans.

Movies like Gopurangal Saivathillai, Mann Vasanai and Lucky Man were among his favorites and super hits. It was Vinu Chakravarthy who introduced Silk Smitha in his movie Vandichakram. It may be recalled that the actor had voiced his displeasure with the portrayal of Silk Smitha in Ekta Kapoor’s Dirty Picture. Vinu Chakravarthy began his career as a reserved sub-inspector. Later, he moved on to railways to become the station master. Soon, bitten by acting bug, he took the plunge into movies. The film fraternity fondly recalls his commitment to come in a wheel chair and cast his vote during 2015 Nadigar Sangam elections.