Chennai, Nov 15 (IANS): Well-known Tamil director and producer K.S. Gopalakrishnan breathed his last here on Saturday at a private hospital. He was 86.

"He passed away due to respiratory problems on Saturday night," a family source told IANS.

Known for making films with social and devotional themes, Gopalakrishnan was known for working legendary Tamil stars such as Gemini Ganeshan, Sivaji Ganeshan, K.R. Vijaya and Jayalalithaa among others.

Besides directing, he had also penned several chartbuster songs.

The popular yesteryear Tamil hit "Unnazhagai Kanniyargala from the film "Uttama Puthiran" was penned by him.

As a lyricist, he had worked on Tamil films "Amaradeepam", "Deiva Piravi" and "Padikkadha Pannaiyar".

He was also a popular writer and had written dialogues for the films "Padikkadha Medhai", "Annai" and "Per Sollum Annai".

Some of his directorial films include Deivathin Deivam", "Pesum Deivam", "Chitthi", "Panama Pasama" and "Kurathi Magan" among others.

He is survived by six sons. His funeral will be performed on Sunday.