Coimbatore: Noted Malayalam actor Mala Aravindan, who had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital here for a heart condition, passed away Wednesday morning.
The 76-year-old actor was admitted to Kovai Medical Centre and Hospital on January 19 following a cardiac problem.
The actor was shifted to the ICU on January 24 after his condition turned serious and was under constant observation.
He was born at Vadavucode, Ernakulam district. Later his family relocated to Mala in Thrissur district and he started using the place name as a prefix to his name.
Aravindan, best known for his work as a comedian and character artist in Malayalam films, started his career as a Tabla artist. A veteran theatre artist, he later started acting in professional stage plays and won Kerala State Nataka Academy's Best Actor award for his role in Sooryasoma's play Nidhi.
Aravindan started his film career with the 1968 movie Sindhooram, directed by Balakrishnan. Since then he has acted in over 400 films and established his own style which became his trademark.
During the initial stages of his career, the Mala-Pappu-Jagathy trio was a guaranteed crowd-puller among the Malayalam film audience.
Aravindan is survived by wife Geetha and two Children, Muthu and Kala.
His funeral will be held in his home town Mala later in the day.