Fahmi: L. Krishnan shaped Malay cinema’s golden era and national film heritage

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the late Tan Sri L. Krishnan, a national film icon and recipient of the 2016 Merdeka Award, will always be remembered as a pioneer who shaped the golden era of the Malay film industry. — Picture via Facebook/Fahmi Fadzil

First Published: Saturday, 26 Sep 2026 11:00 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — The late Tan Sri L. Krishnan, a national film icon and recipient of the 2016 Merdeka Award, will always be remembered as a pioneer who shaped the golden era of the Malay film industry.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said that spanning over six decades in filmmaking, the late icon left a profound impact on the nation’s creative industry.

“He directed over 30 films, helped polish the talents of many artistes, including the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee, and played a role in laying the foundation for the development of Malaysia’s modern film industry.

“However, beyond awards, his works and the generation of artistes born from the era he helped build remain a part of our national cultural heritage,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Fahmi added that Krishnan’s contributions earned him various accolades, including the 2016 Merdeka Award and the Malaysian Film Icon Award.

Krishnan, 104, passed away yesterday in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Fahmi expressed his condolences to Tan Sri L. Krishnan’s family as well as the nation’s arts and film fraternity on his passing. — Bernama