Malayalam Filmmaker R Sarath, Director Of Sayahnam And Sthithi, Dies At 65 | Regional Cinema News

Last Updated:September 07, 2026, 20:28 IST

Malayalam filmmaker R Sarath died at 65 on Monday, September 7, due to health ailments. He directed films like Sayahnam and Swayam.

Malayalam Filmmaker R Sarath Dies at 65

The Malayalam film industry has lost filmmaker and screenwriter R Sarath. He passed away on Monday, September 7, at the age of 65. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for health-related issues. The exact cause of his death has not been revealed. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) mourned Sarath’s death and offered condolences to his family. Fans and others from the film industry also expressed their grief after news of his passing emerged.

Sarath was born in 1961 in Vilakkudy in Kollam district. He studied English at Mahatma Gandhi College in Thiruvananthapuram and later completed his postgraduate studies at University College.

Before entering the film industry, Sarath worked as a journalist with Kerala Kaumudi. He later joined the Kerala government’s Public Relations Department. He retired in 2021 as a Deputy Director.

Sarath also studied cinema and completed a Film Appreciation course at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.

Sarath directed several Malayalam films during his career, including Sayahnam, Sthithi, Sheelabathi, Buddhanum Chaplinum Chirikkunnu, Swayam and Paradise.

Sayahnam was an important film in his career. It brought him recognition and won the Indian Gandhi Award as well as seven Kerala State Film Awards in 2000.

He also worked on short films and documentaries. Some of his notable short films include Achinte Katha, Chumar Chithrangal and Mahatma Gandhi Road.

Sarath also received international recognition for The Desire – A Journey of a Woman. The film won the Best Narrative Feature Film award at the Geneva International Film Festival in 2011.

Sarath’s work was not limited to films. He was also interested in mural paintings and received the Central Government’s Junior Fellowship for his work in the field. He also made Burial of Dreams, a film based on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

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When did Malayalam filmmaker R Sarath pass away and what was his age?

Malayalam filmmaker and screenwriter R Sarath passed away on Monday, September 7, at the age of 65. He was undergoing treatment at a private hospital for health-related issues.

What were some of R Sarath’s notable films and awards?

R Sarath directed several Malayalam films including Sayahnam, Sthithi, and Buddhanum Chaplinum Chirikkunnu. His film Sayahnam won the Indian Gandhi Award and seven Kerala State Film Awards in 2000. He also received international recognition for “The Desire – A Journey of a Woman,” which won Best Narrative Feature Film at the Geneva International Film Festival in 2011.

What was R Sarath’s background before entering the film industry?

Before his career in film, R Sarath worked as a journalist with Kerala Kaumudi and later joined the Kerala government’s Public Relations Department, retiring as a Deputy Director in 2021. He also studied English and completed a Film Appreciation course at FTII in Pune.

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