#SHOWBIZ: Remembering a trailblazer with a heart of gold
THE late Tan Sri L. Krishnan, who died at the age of 104, may be best remembered as the Father of the Malay Film Industry and the director who helped propel Tan Sri P. Ramlee to stardom.
Tan Sri L. Krishnan, who passed away at the age of 104, is remembered not only as the Father of the Malay Film Industry but also for his kind and generous nature. For Josephine Lew, a colleague who worked with Krishnan for nearly four decades, he was an exceptional father figure whose warmth and empathy touched everyone around him.
Lew, who worked alongside Krishnan from 1975 to 2012, recalls his leadership style as demanding excellence and punctuality while also showing deep care for his team's wellbeing. He often encouraged staff to face life's challenges as a means to become stronger. Krishnan's life was marked by numerous obstacles, yet he persevered like a brave soldier, conquering every mountain.
Apart from his filmmaking career, Krishnan was deeply committed to helping the underprivileged. He supported organizations like Pure Life Society, Rumah Ozanam, Cheshire Home, and the Malaysian Association for the Blind. His most notable charitable tradition was his annual Deepavali celebration, where he invited about 1,000 guests from welfare homes and orphanages to enjoy a feast and gifts. Krishnan believed that those less fortunate should never be forgotten.
Born in Chennai in 1922 and raised in Penang, Krishnan served in the Indian National Army during the 1940s before entering the film industry. He directed over 30 films, drawing inspiration from Kollywood and Bollywood while blending them into Malaysian culture. Working with Tan Sri P. Ramlee at Merdeka Film Studios, Krishnan played a significant role in launching Ramlee's career, directing him in three films that became hits.
Krishnan's influence extended to discovering and nurturing other talents in the industry, including Maria Menado, Kasma Booty, Datuk Mustapha Maarof, Datuk Rosnani Jamil, Datuk S. Roomai Noor, and Siput Sarawak. His military background instilled discipline and a strong drive to raise the standards of filmmaking, but his greatest strength lay in his immense humanity and love for people.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
