Chennai: While the Tamil film industry is still recovering from the untimely death of comedy icon Vivek, the film industry and movie buffs were in for a shock to hear the demise of renowned film Director Thamira (53) at a private hospital here yesterday following brief illness.

Thamira, whose original name is Sheik Dawood, is survived by three sons and a daughter.

Thamira assisted legendary filmmakers like K. Balachander and Bharathiraja before venturing out on his own. His debut film as a Director was Rettaisuzhi, which involved some of the biggest names of Tamil cinema. While director Shankar bankrolled it, the film had Thamira’s mentors Balachander and Bharathiraja in pivotal roles. 

Thamira was admitted to the ICU at the hospital with Pneumonia on Apr. 7 and put on ventilator. He breathed his last at about 8.20 am yesterday, according to hospital sources.