Composer Deva died in Chennai on Saturday morning, October 17. He was 75. He was taken to Surya Hospital after complaining of chest pain and died despite efforts to revive him, according to doctors.
Actor Sibiraj paid tribute on X, calling him "a complete allrounder" and "a wonderful human being who was truly humble".
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Actor Nivin Pauly wrote on X that Deva's music would echo through generations, and Prime Video India also posted a tribute thanking him.
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Mammootty, who starred in Deva's Malayalam film Phantom, posted his condolences on X, writing that Deva's "music and legacy will continue to live on in our hearts forever".
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Suriya also paid tribute on X. In his post, written in Tamil, he said Deva's music, his affection and the memories of their time together would never leave his heart, and offered his deepest condolences to the composer's family and friends.
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Deva in Malayalam
Deva worked mostly in Tamil, but he scored three Malayalam films. Two came in 1996: Suresh Krishna's The Prince, starring Mohanlal, and Balu Kiriyath's King Soloman, starring Rahman. The third was Biju Varkey's Phantom (2002), starring Mammootty. Gireesh Puthenchery wrote the lyrics for The Prince.
The Prince has a detail Malayalam listeners still bring up. Its song "Shyaamayaam Raadhike" is a duet sung by Mohanlal and KS Chithra.
The music before 'Superstar'
For most film fans, Deva's best-known piece is only a few seconds long. He composed the "Superstar" title-card music that has opened every Rajinikanth film since 1992, including Jailer 2.
Born Devanesan Chokkalingam on November 20, 1950, he made his debut in 1989 with Manasukketha Maharaasaa. He went on to score more than 400 films, including Aasai, Kadhal Kottai, Vaalee and Kushi. His son Srikanth Deva is also a composer.
