Chennai: Eminent filmmaker and Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient K Balachander died in Chennai on Tuesday at a private hospital after prolonged illness.

Hailed as "Iyakunar Sigaram" (Peak among directors) in Tamil film industry Balachander, 84, was hospitalised following age related ailments on December 3. He breathed his last at 7.02 pm, hospital authorities said.