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Veteran music director SP Venkatesh passed away at his residence in Chennai. He was 70. He reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest.. Mollywood celebs, including superstar Suresh Gopi , singer MG Sreekumar , and filmmaker B Unnikrishnan, have paid tribute to the veteran musician.

Venkatesh, who began his film career in 1971 as a guitarist, later emerged as one of the sought-after music composers in Malayalam. He started off his music career as an assistant music director in Kannada cinema in 1975. Later in 1981, he made his debut as an independent artist with the Telugu film ‘Prema Yuddham’. He worked as an assistant music director with several composers, including Raghavan Master, before his breakthrough, ‘Rajavinte Makan’, starring Mohanlal. The film’s songs became popular, which led to his long-running collaborations with filmmakers including Dennis Joseph, Thampi Kannanthanam, and Joshiy. Venkatesh won the Kerala State Film Award for best music director in 1993 for the films 'Paithrukam' and 'Janam'. Some of his best works include ‘Rajavinte Makan’, ‘Kilukkam’, ‘Minnaram’, ‘Johnnie Walker’, ‘Dhruvam’, ‘Valsalyam’, ‘Paithrukam’, ‘Sphadikam’, ‘Mannar Mathai Speaking’, and ‘Manthrikam’. His background scores in films such as ‘Devasuram’, ‘Mahayanam’, ‘No. 20 Madras Mail’, and ‘Appu’ also has a separate fan base.

Mollywood celebs pay tribute

Superstar Suresh Gopi mourned the demise of SP Venkatesh, and also penned a heartfelt tribute to the musician. In a note shared on social media, Suresh Gopi expressed that he is ‘deeply saddened’ by the demise. “How many beautiful melodies he gave us - songs that still echo in the ears of Malayalees. His passing leaves a void that the music world cannot fill,” Suresh Gopi said.

Filmmaker B Unnikrishanan recalled SP Venkatesh’s body of work and paid tribute.

“The passing of S. P. Venkatesh leaves behind a silence that Malayalam cinema will feel for a long time. He possessed a rare gift, the ability to elevate iconic action thrillers with music that amplified swagger, menace, and myth. Films like Rajavinte Makan and Spadikam owe much of their enduring aura to his instinctive, muscular soundscapes that fused rhythm with character. And then, almost effortlessly, he could turn around and musically enrich romantic comedies, infusing them with charm, lightness, and melodic warmth—as memorably seen in Kilukkam. Adieu, Master,” he wrote.

Veteran singer MG Sreekumar, who has worked with SP Venkatesh, penned a heartwrenching note on Facebook. “So many memories, and an indescribable sorrow at your departure,” MG Sreekumar said. “I was fortunate enough to sing some of those songs; I consider that a blessing. Malayalees will sing your melodies until the end of time. Saying goodbye with tears,” he added.

Filmmaker Jayaraj Nair wrote, "Your legendary music in Johnny Walker, Paithrukam, Sopanam, and Highway will never vanish."

Meanwhile, the musician’s funeral is scheduled to be held on Wednesday in Alapakkam , Chennai.