Legendary Kannada filmmaker KSL Swamy (77) passed away on Tuesday at in his Bangalore residence following an illness.

The Hindu reported that the filmmaker was suffering from respiratory ailments and was admitted to a private hospital for 42 days before he was taken back to his residence after he seemed to show signs of improvement.

In his stellar career which lasted just short of half a century, Swamy directed 37 films starting his career as an assistant director to other legendary directors like M R Vittal and Puttanna Kanagal.

According to Cineloka, he was a close friend of Puttanna Kanagal and even finished two films that the latter left unfinished — Masanada Hoovu and Saavira Mettilu.

Some of his noted films include Gandhi Nagara, Bhagya Jyothi, and Malaya Marutha.

Swamy was awarded the Padma Bhushan and was also a recipient of the National Award.

He is survived by his wife BV Radha, who is a former actress and his daughter Dhanlakshmi. Swamy’s body was kept in Ravindra Kalakshetra until 6 pm.