'Crazy' Mohan who gave unforgettable one-liners is no more

: Popular Tamil playwright and theatre and film comedian 'Crazy' Mohan,whose rib tickling one liners and repartees won him a huge fan following, died here Monday following a massive heart attack, a city hospital said.

Mohan (66) suffered "cardiac arrest following acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and the measures taken to resuscitate him did not succeed and he passed away at 2 PM," a release from Kaveri hospital said.

He is survived by his wife and son.

The comedy legend's over four decade career began with him taking the theatre by storm with his hilarious middle class centric content and laughter built on ubiquitous themes before he moved on to the silver screen.

A original creative thinker, he successfully reprised his threatre expertise in cinema by clinging on to simple but hugely successful one-liners and word play, seen in films like "Panchathantiram," that went on to redefine comedy in Tamil films.

Mohan entered the movie industry after a successful career as a theatre personality.Noted director K Balachander's "Poikkal Kudhirai" was his launch pad to cinema, for which he wrote the story and dialogues. The film was based on his laugh riot "Marriage made in saloon."
He prefixed 'Crazy' to his name, synonymous with his theatre group and reminding his hit stage play "Crazy Thieves in Palavakkam (1976)."
Mohan's association with Kamal Haasan, which began with 'Aboorva Sagodarargal' in 1989 evolved and eventually resulted in movies that became iconic for its comedy like "Panchathanthiram," "Pammal K Sambandam," and "Thenaali."
A recipient of many awards, including the 'Kalaimamani' by the Tamil Nadu government, he first wrote the script for a college skit, the "Great Bank Robbery."
Music composer G V Prakash Kumar said, "No one can ever replace you Crazy Mohan sir... A legendary writer who will be missed forever...Condolences to the family...RIP Crazy Mohan."
Noted comedian S Ve Shekar said Mohan's death was a huge, irreparable loss. He had an "extraordinary sense of humour and his dialogues did not even have a small shade of double entendre."
In his condolence messagem DMK President M K Stalin said Mohan created a fan following for himself through his comedy which made everyone laugh