Non-payment of Financial Dues From Producers Caused Distress: K Rajan's Daughter

Chennai: With various speculations over the death of veteran Tamil film producer and director K. Rajan doing the rounds, his daughter A. Rajeswari on Monday spoke to the media about the reasons that led to his suicide in Chennai on Sunday. While police are still investigating the circumstances, Rajeswari said pending financial dues from filmmakers and health-related issues had caused her father severe distress over the past two years.

She said Rajan had financed several small-budget films over the past few years, but many producers did not return the money. Despite repeated attempts to recover the dues, he was later ignored, and his calls went unanswered. The stress impacted his health, Rajeswari said.

He recently suffered a heart attack and underwent surgery at Apollo Hospital on Wednesday, after which a pacemaker was installed. Two days ago, Rajan spoke to his son, K.R. Suresh Rajan, and said he was unable to manage mounting hospital and medical bills and asked him to contact the debtors to retrieve the money, she added.

On Sunday, he told family members he was going for a walk before the incident occurred, Rajeswari said. She also condemned negative reports circulating in the media, adding that her father had come from humble beginnings and supported weaker sections of society. Rajan was known for his long career in Tamil cinema, for being vocal about issues faced by producers, and for heading the Tamil Film Producers Council. As per police reports, he told his car driver to stop the car on the Adyar bridge before allegedly jumping into the Adyar river. Fire and rescue personnel launched a search operation and later recovered his body from the river. Police have registered a case, and further inquiry is underway.