Chennai, July 18 -- Veteran Tamil filmmaker Velu Prabhakaran passed away at a private hospital here today after a prolonged illness.

"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of renowned filmmaker Velu Prabhakaran, who left us after a prolonged illness 18th July 2025", a statement from his family said.

A maverick of Tamil cinema, Velu Prabhakaran was known for his fearless storytelling and socially provocative films that redefined boundaries in Indian filmmaking.

With iconic works such as 'Nalaya Manithan', 'Kadavul', 'Puratchikkaaran' and 'Kadhal Kadhai', he boldly explored themes such as atheism, caste, and sexuality--earning both acclaim and controversy throughout his career.

He remained a creative force from the 1980s ...