CHENNAI: S Balasubramanian, Chairman of "Vikatan" group of Tamil publications, died here today at a private hospital.
Sources in the publication said he died of heart attack.
Balasubramanian (79), headed the Vikatan group, which publishes "Ananda Vikatan" its flagship Tamil magazine.
He is survived by six daughters and a son.
He was the son of legendary filmmaker and movie studio owner S S Vasan. His long innings in Vikatan since 1956 was marked by several innovations.
The launch of political investigative Tamil magazine "Junior Vikatan" led the way for the birth of similar magazines.
Known for courage of conviction, he won a case against his arrest ordered by Tamil Nadu assembly for publishing a cartoon on Ananda Vikatan's cover in 1987 when late M G Ramachandran was Chief Minister.
The episode had triggered a debate on the freedom of the press vis-a-vis the legislature.
Balasubramanian, a lover of farming and birds, had also directed Tamil movies including MGR starrer "Sirithu Vazha Vendum."
As per his wish, the body would be donated for medical research.
