Tamil actor-filmmaker SS Stanley, who frequently collaborated with Srikanth and Dhanush, passes away at the age of 57

Acclaimed Tamil filmmaker and actor SS Stanley, known for directing several widely appreciated films in the early 2000s, passed away in Chennai at the age of 57. According to reports, the veteran artist succumbed to complications arising from kidney-related ailments.

Stanley began his cinematic journey as an assistant to celebrated directors Mahendran and Sasi, before stepping into the limelight with his directorial debut April Maadhathil — a heartfelt college romance starring Srikanth and Sneha that resonated strongly with audiences and proved to be a commercial success. His sophomore project, Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan, featuring Dhanush, met with a more mixed response. Stanley later remarked that the film’s narrative may have been misunderstood by viewers, which contributed to its moderate box office performance.

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His third directorial venture — starring Ravi Krishna, Saila Rao, and Sonia Agarwal, and produced by Krishnakanth — faced financial hurdles that led to its abrupt halt. Following this, Stanley took a temporary break from filmmaking, eventually returning to collaborate with Srikanth on two subsequent films.

In later years, Stanley transitioned into acting, garnering attention for his portrayal of C. N. Annadurai in the biographical film Periyar. He also worked under acclaimed director Mani Ratnam in the film Raavanan. His final screen appearance came in the 2024 global hit Maharaja, starring Vijay Sethupathi.

Stanley’s funeral is scheduled to take place on Tuesday evening.