Visu
Biography
Meenakshisundaram Ramasamy Viswanathan (1 July 1945 – 22 March 2020), popularly known as Visu, was a prominent Indian screenwriter, director, actor, stage artist, and television host, widely respected for his contribution to Tamil theatre and cinema.
Visu began his career in theatre with Y. G. Parthasarathy’s troupe and soon gained recognition as a playwright. He later entered the film industry as an assistant to legendary director K. Balachander. During this period, he wrote screenplays for notable films such as Pattina Pravesam (1977), Avan Aval Adhu (1980), Thillu Mullu (1981), and Netrikkan (1981), with the latter two becoming major box-office successes for Rajinikanth.
He made his acting debut in Kudumbam Oru Kadambam (1981), for which he also wrote the screenplay. His first directorial venture was Manal Kayiru (1982). Many of his films — including Dowry Kalyanam, Samsaram Adhu Minsaram, Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi, Penmani Aval Kanmani, Vedikkai En Vadikkai, and Pattukottai Periyappa — focused on the everyday struggles of urban middle-class families and were especially popular among female audiences. His thriller Chidambara Rahasiyam (1985) later achieved cult-classic status.
Visu often collaborated with his brother Kishmu and worked with several leading actors. His film Neenga Nalla Irukkanum (1992), based on the theme of prohibition, won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues and marked the final screen appearance of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.
He shared screen space with Rajinikanth in films such as Nallavanukku Nallavan, Mr. Bharath, Mannan, Uzhaippali, and Arunachalam. In the later phase of his career, films like Vaa Magale Vaa, Meendum Savithri, and Sigamani Ramamani received limited impact.
Visu acted in over 60 films and directed around 25 films. His final on-screen appearance was in Manal Kayiru 2 (2016). Actor S. Ve. Shekher, who worked extensively with him, praised him for his discipline and dedication.
Beyond cinema, Visu became a familiar television personality through debate shows such as Arattai Arangam on Sun TV and Visuvin Makkal Arangam on Jaya TV, further cementing his influence in Tamil popular culture.
