New Delhi: Noted film producer, businessman and politician PV Gangadharan passed away at a private hospital in Kozhikode on Friday. He was 80.
According to IANS, PVG, as he was popularly known, had been ailing for the past few days and suffered a cardiac arrest this morning which proved fatal.
He was a full-time director of the Mathrubhumi media house, one of the pioneering media organisations in Kerala.
He was called the "live wire" of Grihalekshmi Film production house that produced stellar Malayalam films including national award-winning films like ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’ which fetched the national award for superstar Mammootty.
A true Congressman, PVG served as an AICC member for long, and at the 2011 Assembly elections, he unsuccessfully contested as the party candidate.
Remembering him as a person with a soft demeanor, Goa Governor and long-time friend P. S. Sreedharan Pillai termed Gangadharan a "human and loveable" character.
"PVG was a friend to all and a humane person. We used to often be together at various functions. His down-to-earth nature endeared him to all," Pillai was quoted as saying by IANS.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of PVG and termed him a "multifaceted" personality.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur also took to X and condoled his death. He wrote, "Saddened by the demise of Shri P.V Gangadharan ji, a pioneer among Malayalam filmmakers. In a career spanning more than 5 decades he was honoured with multiple national and state awards, which stand as a testimony to his outstanding contribution to filmmaking. His works will continue to inspire generations of filmmakers to come. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti."
His last rites are expected to be held in Kozhikode on Saturday.