T'PURAM: Veteran director Velayudhan Nair, popularly known as Cross Belt Mani, who was producers’ darling for years due to his money-spinner productions, died here on Saturday. He was 86.
Born in Thiruvananthapuram, Nair started his career as an assistant cinematographer at Merryland studio. A right mix of ambition, industry and talent helped him launch his first film Midumidukki in 1968, starring Satyan and Sarada.
Two years later, he collaborated with N N Pillai to create the groundbreaking ‘Cross Belt’, a film which became tagged to his name and since its phenomenal success. The film ran full house in theatres two weeks into the release.
He was a specialist in churning out commercially successful flicks and had always said that he never let a producer down. He was never hesitant to shoot films on wide canvas and made Neethipeedam in 1973, an adaptation of Les Miserables. Nair directed around 40 movies in his career. The final rites will be held on Sunday.
