L. Krishnan, pioneering director of early Malay cinema and mentor to P. Ramlee, dies at 104

National film figure and 2016 Merdeka Award recipient Tan Sri L. Krishnan, who played a significant role in the early development of the Malay film industry, died in Chiang Mai, Thailand yesterday at the age of 104. — Picture via Facebook/Finas Malaysia

First Published: Friday, 25 Sep 2026 5:58 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — National film figure and 2016 Merdeka Award recipient Tan Sri L. Krishnan, who played a significant role in the early development of the Malay film industry, died in Chiang Mai, Thailand yesterday at the age of 104.

His death was confirmed by National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chief executive officer Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib.

Azmir said the information was conveyed to him by Yayasan Artis Veteran Malaysia, adding that Krishnan died at 2.15pm local time due to old age.

“He had been residing in Thailand for a long time after marrying his wife, who is a Thai national. Funeral arrangements are currently in progress,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

Krishnan received the 2016 Merdeka Award in the Outstanding Contribution to Education and Community category for his contributions to laying the foundations of the country’s modern film industry and developing early acting talent, including national film icon the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee.

Born in Madras, India, in 1922 and raised in Penang, Krishnan began his career in the film industry after the Second World War before moving to Singapore in 1949 to serve as a film director at Shaw Studio.

At Shaw Brothers, he played a crucial role in the career development of the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee and collaborated with prominent film figures of the era, including the late Datuk Maria Menado, the late Kasma Booty and the late Datuk Mustapha Maarof.

Throughout his career, Krishnan directed more than 30 films, including P. Ramlee films such as Bakti and Takdir Ilahi (both in 1950), Penghidupan (1951) and Antara Senyum dan Tangis (1952).

He also explored the horror genre through Orang Lichin (1957), Orang Minyak (1958) and Serangan Orang Minyak (1959), while producing films based on the formula of song, dance and drama that were well received by audiences at the time.

After 11 years in Singapore, Krishnan continued his career in Kuala Lumpur with Merdeka Studio, producing numerous films that reflected the lives and aspirations of society during the early years of Malaysia’s formation.

His work and contributions at Merdeka Studio also helped pave the way for the establishment of the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas), with the original Merdeka Studio complex now preserved by Finas in recognition of his contributions to the local film industry.

Krishnan’s contributions later extended beyond directing when he established Gaya Filem Berhad in 1970 and Gaya Music Studio in 1980, as well as becoming involved in the development of technical facilities for the local film industry.

In 1982, he established the country’s first film colour laboratory before being appointed chairman of Cathay Organisation Malaysia in 1984.

Throughout his career, Krishnan received numerous awards and recognitions, including the P. Ramlee Award in 1995 and the Malay Cinema Gallery Award as Pioneer in the Malay Film Industry in 1996.

He also received various other titles and awards, including the Panglima Jasa Negara (2003), International Tamil Film Award (Lifetime Achievement Award, 2003), Panglima Setia Mahkota (2011), Seri Temasek Award (2011), Malaysian Film Figure Award Year 3 (2011), Malaysian Film Figure Award 2011 (2014) and South Indian Cinematography Award (2015). — Bernama