The Indian film industry mourns the loss of one of its seasoned filmmakers, Sangeeth Sivan, who passed away at the age of 65 due to a cardiac arrest. Known for his significant contributions to both Malayalam and Hindi cinema, Sangeeth left his indelible mark with films that ranged from action-packed thrillers to comedy capers. His brother, acclaimed cinematographer Santosh Sivan, confirmed the news of Sangeeth’s passing via a WhatsApp message to PTI.
Sangeeth took his last breath at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he had been admitted before succumbing to the sudden cardiac arrest. The film community and his admirers will get a chance to bid their revered director a final goodbye during the last rites that are scheduled to take place at the Oshiwara cemetery on Thursday.
Born into a family rooted in filmmaking, with his father Sivan being a prominent filmmaker himself, Sangeeth was the eldest of three sons. He embarked on his directorial journey with the Malayalam movie ‘Vyooham’ in 1990. The film, which starred the talented pair of Raghuvaran and Urvashi, presented just a glimpse of Sivan’s cinematic talents. However, it was the 1992 Malayalam blockbuster ‘Yoddha’, featuring superstars Mohanlal and Madhoo, which truly established Sangeeth as a noteworthy director in the regional film industry. He further demonstrated his versatility with films like ‘Gandharvam’ (1993) and ‘Nirnayam’ (1995), both times working with the charismatic Mohanlal.
Sangeeth’s transition to Hindi cinema was marked by the action film ‘Zor’ in 1998, starring Sunny Deol and Sushmita Sen, bringing his flair for storytelling to a larger audience. He went on to direct ‘Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne’, ‘Ek – The Power of One’, ‘Click’, and the sequel to the comedy hit ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’. Each project echoed his unique style and commitment to his craft.
Among Sangeeth’s acquaintances in Bollywood, actor Riteish Deshmukh shared a particularly close relationship, having worked with him on the hit comedies ‘Kya Kool Hain Hum’ and ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’. Riteish expressed his deep sorrow on social media, remembering the director as a kind and gentle soul who believed in him as a newcomer and for his infectiously joyful laughter.
Sangeeth’s latest venture was into the digital space with the 2019 web series ‘Bhram’, starring Kalki Koechlin, proving that his creative spirit continued to evolve with the changing dynamics of viewership.
The cinematic world has always valued Sangeeth Sivan for his dedication to the art of filmmaking. His contribution was also acknowledged by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who conveyed his condolences upon the filmmaker’s untimely demise.
Sangeeth Sivan’s sudden departure leaves a void in the film fraternity and amongst cinema lovers, who have appreciated his works across genres and languages. His movies, characters, and the memorable dialogue will continue to be celebrated, ensuring that his legacy in Indian cinema lives on forever. Meanwhile, the DNA app extends its request for readers to download the app from the Google Play Store and welcomes their valuable feedback as a tribute to the late director’s belief in the power of storytelling, in all its forms.
