Salman’s ‘Bodyguard’ film director dies

Popular Malayalam film director Siddique passed away at a private hospital here on Tuesday (August 8) night, film industry sources said.

He was 63.

The multifaceted film personality, who had been a shining star in the movie industry, was admitted to the hospital for a few weeks due to lifestyle diseases. His condition worsened on Monday after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

His last rites will be performed today (August 9) before which his body will be kept for the public to pay their homage at an indoor stadium here from this morning till noon.

Condoling the death of the master director, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recalled Siddique as one who turned the common man’s issues into hugely popular films.

“The craft of Siddique, which was visible in his films, will be etched in the minds of all those who have seen his films. His demise is an irreparable loss to Kerala,” said Vijayan.

According to reports, he had been undergoing treatment for liver disease and pneumonia.

The 63-year-old directed movies in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu. His Bollywood movie Bodyguard, starring Salman Khan, was a superhit across India.

The ace filmmaker, who along with actor-director Lal, have elemental in some of the biggest superhits in the late 80s and 90s – helming movies such as Ramji Rao Speaking, In Harihar Nagar and Vietnam Colony and Kabooliwalah. Siddique along with Lal had also written the story of Nadodikattu and worked as the second unit directors for Fazil’s Manichitrathazhu.

Later they parted ways and Siddique continued his career with more hits including Hitler, Chronic Bachelor, Bodyguard, Friends and many more.

Big Brother, starring Mohanlal, was his last released movie.

Siddique was planning another film with a major star in the lead, after the pandemic._Agencies