He was the first film and media personality to be invited to be a member of parliament in India's Rajya Sabha where he advocated the granting of industry status to the film trade (a battle still being fought). He was one of the founders of Film Federation India, Producer's Guild of India and the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce.The Government of India and the Postal department released postage stamps bearing his likeness on 26 August 2004, the year of his centenary. Vasan died in Madras on 26 August 1969, at the age of 65.