Malayalam actor, TV host Rajesh Keshav suffers cardiac arrest during event

Malayalam actor, writer, and television presenter Rajesh Keshav is reported to be in a critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest at a hotel in Kochi. The incident occurred on Sunday evening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel during the final moments of an event he was attending.

According to reports, the 49-year-old was taken to Lakeshore Hospital within 15 to 20 minutes. Filmmaker Prathap Jayalakshmi shared on Facebook that doctors confirmed the cardiac arrest happened as Keshav collapsed. He underwent an angioplasty immediately and has since been kept on ventilator support.

Jayalakshmi added that he has not regained consciousness, except for occasional slight movements, the Indian Express reported.

Hospital authorities told The Hindu that his condition remains critical, and any clarity regarding his recovery will only be possible after 72 hours. Jayalakshmi further mentioned that doctors suspect mild brain damage due to the cardiac arrest.

Apart from his television work, Keshav is recognised for his roles in Malayalam films such as Beautiful (2011), Trivandrum Lodge (2012), Hotel California (2013), Nee-Na (2015), and Thattum Purath Achuthan (2018). He is also set to appear in upcoming projects, including Odu Vadakkan Therottam and Shero. 

Over the years, as a TV host, he has shared the stage with prominent Indian cinema personalities like Tamannaah Bhatia, Mohanlal, Sanjay Dutt, Trisha Krishnan, Kamal Haasan, Suriya, and Rashmika Mandanna.