South Indian film director S P Jananathan has died aged 61

News of his death has been confirmed by fellow director Arumugakumar

Tamil director S P Jananathan has died aged 61. Twitter

Tamil film director S P Jananathan has died aged 61. The Laabam director died in hospital on Sunday, in Chennai, India.

News of his death was confirmed by fellow director Arumugakumar, who wrote on Twitter: "Our director #SPJananathan, sir, who was in a critical condition and was undergoing treatment at the Apollo hospitals, passed away at 10.07 am today morning after suffering a cardiac arrest. May his soul rest in peace."

Arumugakumar is one of the producers of Laabam, Jananathan's final project.

On Thursday, he was reportedly found unconscious at home and taken to hospital.

The Indian Express quoted his brother Azhagan Tamizhmani as saying, "We don't know the full details of his illness. We are waiting to hear from the neurologist. They are not allowing anyone to see him inside the ICU."

At the time of his death, Jananathan was working on political drama Laabam, which stars Vijay Sethupathi, Shruti Haasan and Jagapathi Babu.

He is said to have been editing the film when he went home for lunch. Assistants found him unconscious at home when he did not return to to work in the afternoon.

Tributes to S P Jananathan

A host of stars have paid tribute to Jananathan on social media.

Actress Shruti Haasan wrote: "It is with the heaviest heart that we say good bye to SP Jananathan sir - it was a pleasure working with you sir."

Indian film composer D Imman pointed out the significance of the date of his death, March 14, writing: "Incidentally he passed away on the death anniversary of social revolutionary #KarlMarx, who was his role model."

Actor Jayam Ravi simply wrote: "No one can take u away from our memories".

Entertainment journalist Kaushik LM wrote: "A powerful, socially responsible filmmaker who connected with the common man. He will be missed!"