Art director Sunil Babu, who is known for his Bangalore Days, Sita Ramam, Operation Romeo, and M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, out of the many blockbusters, breathed his last on Friday.The Best Art Director award winner, who was gearing up for his next film Varasudu, passed away just a week before the film’s release.
Popular Art director and production designer Sunil Babu breathed his last at the age of 50 on Friday. The talented craftsman suffered from a heart attack at a hospital in Ernakulam, Kerala, where he was admitted three days prior to his unfortunate demise. The art director was reportedly seeking treatment for a swelling that he spotted on his leg.
His unfortunate demise had occurred just a week ahead of his latest film Varasudu.
Having worked on several films, Sunil Babu started his career as an assistant to production designer Sabu Cyril. The film Ananthabhadram catapulted his career in the film industry and won him the Kerala State Film Award for the Best Art Director.
Some of his best works as an art director and a production designer entail Lakshya, Police, Iqbal, Ghajini, Anandabhadram, Notebook, Chota Mumbai, Ghajini, Villu, Oopiri, Tutak Tutak Tutiya, Casanovva, Bangalore Days, Sita Ramam, Operation Romeo, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, Bheeshma Parvam, Maharshi, and Kayamkulam Kochunni.
Varisu/Varasudu, Cyanide, and Mumbaikar are his upcoming projects.
Sunil shared a great bond with the Mollywood star Dulquer Salmaan as they recently worked on the superhit film titled Sita Ramam.The Sita Ramam star took to his instagram saying, “Heart hurts. The kindest warmest soul who quietly went about his work with so much passion and made no noise about his immense talent. Suniletta thank you for the memories. You brought life to our films. Can’t come to terms with this. Praying for your family and all those who loved you dearly.”
Several celebrities and collaborators from across industries expressed their deepest condolences. One amongst whom is Sita Ramam’s director Hanu Raghavapudi. “This is really heartbreaking and hard to digest! Can’t believe he’s no longer with us now. This shows, again, how life can be unfair and unpredictable. Rest in peace, #SunilBabu sir. The world will miss you.”
“Deeply saddened to hear that #SunilBabu is no more… In your art, we will meet you again! Heartfelt condolences to his family,” penned Vyjayanthi movies on their instagram account.
Thaman S, who scored music for Varisu, which coincidentally happens to be Sunil Babu’s latest film, shared: “Heart broken. Listening to This of Our Art Director #Sunilbabu Sir Such a lovely soul & Human Put is heart To #Varisu film felt so beautiful and warm every time I visited the house Sets Our Team #Varisu Will miss U sir May your Soul rest in peace.”
The creator of Special 26 and M. S. Dhoni, Neeraj Pandey expressed, “RIP SUNIL BABU Loss of an exceptional technician, Production Designer, colleague, partner-in-crimes and friend. (Special 26, M.S Dhoni, Untitled Prod) Too many memories over the years and yet words fail today. Your smile will stay around us forever dear”
Anajali Menon shared an emotional note on her instagram, “Utterly shocked to hear of Sunil Babu’s demise. We worked together on Bangalore Days and I have some wonderful memories that I will always hold dear. Rest in peace dear Sunil.”
Malayalam film director Rosshan Andrrews, who was Sunil’s close friend shared, “A great friend, great man with good soul, my living brither, our countless cheers nights, we travelled a lot, a lot…. thank you for all memorable days, bro these pictures will remain till end of my film career… without you there is no Notebook, Casanovva and Kayamkulam kochunni. What a technician you are my bro i learnt a lot from you ! Rest in peace.”
“You leave a void in many lives , my dear friend Sunil babu , Production Designer. God Bless Rest in peace,” said Santosh Sivan, who predominantly works in the Malayalam film industry.
The sudden death of Sunil Babu once again brings to the fore the rise in the number of heart attacks in the country. In recent times, innumerable young Indians have been losing their lives to heart related conditions. Sunil Babu’s demise is a reminder that the issue pertaining to heart attack cases needs to be scrutinised by the experts and awareness needs to spread in order to cut down on the number of cases.
