Renowned actor Ravikumar, known for his performances in several Malayalam and Tamil movies, has passed away. He was 71 and reportedly succumbed to his battle with cancer at a private hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on Friday morning. The holder of a prolific career spanning over 100 Malayalam films, several Tamil movies and a handful of television serials, Ravikumar hailed from Thrissur in Kerala but had been living in Chennai for many years.
Following his purported acting debut in Indhulekha (1967), Ravikumar rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s by playing both lead and villain roles. Although he appeared in movies such as Ullaasayaathra (1975), Neelasaari (1976) and Ayalkkaari (1976), it was his performance in director M Krishnan Nair’s Amma (1976), starring Madhu and Srividya, that earned him his first bout of recognition.
His other notable films include Avargal (1977), Avalude Ravukal (1978), Padakkuthira (1978), Lisa (1978), Neelathamara (1979), Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum (1979), Anupallavi (1979), Sarppam (1979), Pagalil Oru Iravu (1979), Angadi (1980), Theekkadal (1980), Sphodanam (1981), Rojavanam (1999), Vanna Thamizh Pattu (2000), Youth (2002) and Sivaji (2007). He was last seen in films such as director B Unnikrishnan’s Mohanlal-starrer Aaraattu (2022), K Madhu’s Mammootty-led CBI 5: The Brain (2022) and Veetla Vishesham (2022), a Tamil comedy drama featuring RJ Balaji, Sathyaraj and Urvashi
The son of KMK Menon and R Bharathi, Ravikumar’s mortal remains will be taken to his residence at Valasaravakkam in Chennai, as reported by OnManorama, and his funeral will be held there on Saturday.