CHENNAI: Tamil film actor V S Raghavan passed away in his sleep at a hospital in T Nagar on Saturday evening after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 89 and is survived by his sons K R Srinivasan and K R Krishna, daughters-in-law and a grandson.

A seasoned veteran of more than 1,000 films, Raghavan was seen recently in “Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum” (2014) and TV serials Valli, En Iniya Thozhi and Uyirmei. He began his career as a sub-editor at Maalathi magazine and went on to act in stage plays. After acting in a play “Vairamaalai”, Raghavan went on to make his film debut in the screen adaptation of the play under the same title in 1954.

Former chief minister J Jayalalithaa paid tributes to the veteran artist in a press release: “He treated everybody with love and affection. His death is a great loss to the film industry. I convey my heartfelt condolences to his family and his friends in the film fraternitym,” she said.

One of the few actors to have played ‘father’ to legends M G Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan in several films, Raghavan’s most memorable movies include ‘Nenjil Ore Aalayam’ (1962), ‘Karnan’ (1964), ‘Kaadhalikka Neramillai’ (1964), ‘Bommai’ (1964), ‘Iru Kodugal’ (1969) and ‘Urimaikkural’ (1974).

He shared a special friendship with late director K Balachander who directed him in several films. Raghavan was noted for his role in Balachander-directed tele-serial Anni in the early 2000s and headed the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Naadaga Manram in the early 1990s.

The cremation will be held at 5pm on Sunday in Besant Nagar, his family said. “Many of his close friends from the film and television industry have been calling to convey condolences. We expect a large gathering of film personalities tomorrow,” said Janaki Srinivasan, his daughter-in-law.

Raghavan began his career as a sub-editor at Maalathi magazine and went on to act in stage plays. He was seen recently in “Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum” (2014) and TV serials Valli, En Iniya Thozhi and Uyirmei.