Kollywood to celebrate the 80th birth anniversary of Panchu Arunachalam

The late Panchu Arunachalam, who introduced

maestro Ilaiyaraaja

as a composer, and helped redefine commercial

Tamil

cinema and shaped up the careers of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, would have completed 80 years of age this year if he had been alive. The legendary writer-producer had passed away on August 9, 2016, aged 16.

Now, his production house has teamed up with a YouTube channel to celebrate his 80th anniversary with pomp and grandeur. They had organised a press meet on Sunday to announce the same with many eminent

Kollywood

personalities taking part in it and talking about the unique place occupied by

Panchu

Arunachalam in Tamil cinema.

Speaking at the event, veteran filmmaker

Bharathirajaa

said, "Panchu was a mild-mannered person. Ilaiyaraaja,

Gangai Amaren

and I owe our success to him. I used to screen all my films to him, listen to his feedback and make corrections. They used to help the film very much. If not for Panchu, Tamil cinema would not have gotten Ilaiyaraaja. Panchu Arunachalam's contribution to Tamil cinema is enormous. He was a talented writer. It is our duty to celebrate him. I request everyone in the Tamil film fraternity to grace this event."

Music director and filmmaker Gangai Amaren said, "If Panchu Arunachalam annan was not there, our entire clan wouldn't have existed. The pillayar suzhi that he wrote is what helped begin our lives. We were thinking of holding a celebratory event while he was alive, but I'm happy it is happening at least now. I feel like speaking at an event that's happening in my own family. Panchu annan was the one who lent helping hand to my brother Ilaiyaraaja. I'd do everything I can for this event to happen."