Malayalam film director Madhu Kaithapram, 44, who is famous for his debut film "Ekantham" in 2006, passed away at a private hospital in Kozhikode late on Monday, 29 December. He was undergoing treatment for diabetes for quite some time now.

Madhu made his directorial debut with the film "Ekantham", which had Thilakan and Murali in the lead. The film was critically acclaimed and won two national awards and a state award. Madhu received the prestigious award for best debutant director.

Later, he went on to direct Manoj K Jayan and Shweta Menon starrer "Madhya Venal" in 2009 and the family-drama "Orma Mathram" in 2011, which had Dileep, Priyanka Nair, Master Sidharth, Dhanya Mary Varghese and Nedumudi Venu in lead roles.

His last directorial venture was journalist John Brittas starrer "Velli Velichathil", which was released in 2014.

His cremation will be held in Payyannur, Kannur on Tuesday afternoon. He is survived by his wife and a son.