Filmmaker Balachander cremated

Legendary Tamil filmmaker K Balachander was cremated here on Wednesday amid members from film fraternity and thousands of his fans.

Police and volunteers had a tough time in controlling the surging crowds. Men and women stood in long queues to have a last glimpse of the thespian, who died at the age of 84, plunging the Tamil film industry into gloom.

Balachander’s funeral procession, which began around 2 pm in a flower-bedecked vehicle from his residence, ended at the Besant Nagar crematorium here.

Superstar Rajinikanth, DMK chief M Karunanidhi, actor-turned-politician Vijayakanthpaid their last tributes.