Sasi Shankar, National Award-winning Malayalam filmmaker, dies aged 58

National Award-winning Malayalam filmmaker Sasi Shankar passed away in Kochi on Wednesday, 10 August. He was 58. Shankar, a diabetic, was rushed to hospital by his family after he collapsed at home on Wednesday morning. However, the doctors declared that Shankar was dead on admission. [caption id=“attachment_2948876” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sasi Shankar won the National Award for his first independent film ‘Narayam’[/caption] Shankar was apparently in the midst of a new project before his sudden demise. Shankar’s brother-in-law told Times of India: “He returned from Kozhikode on Monday and held talks with his associates regarding the new venture on Tuesday. He had been suffering from ailments related to diabetes. At around 9.30 am on Wednesday morning, he collapsed (at home). Though we took him to the hospital he died before reaching there.” Shankar was known for his films like Narayam, Manthramothiram, Gurushishyan, Mr Butler, Kunjikkoonan and Perazhagan that had socially relevant themes. It was Narayam (1993) that won him the National Award. Shankar is survived by his wife Beena, daughter Meenakshi, and son Vishnu.