Actor Kottayam Pradeep, who predominantly worked in the Malayalam film industry besides appearing in a handful of Tamil films, died during the early hours of Thursday in Kottayam, Kerala, after suffering a heart attack, according to Onmanorama.
He was 61.
Pradeep made his acting debut at the age of 40, with the 2001 Malayalam film Ee Naadu Innale Vare, directed by late filmmaker IV Sasi. He mainly appeared as a junior artist and in non-speaking roles during the initial phase of his career. The latter half of his filmography mainly consisted of comical and supporting roles. Kottayam Pradeep has appeared in over 80 films, Malayalam and Tamil combined.
In Malayalam, Kottayam Pradeep has appeared in films such as Thattathin Marayathu, Oru Vadakkan Selfie, Oru Adar Love, Godha Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan, Appuram Bengal Ippuram Thiruvithamkoor, Welcome to Central Jail, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Aadu Oru Bheegara Jeevi Aanu, and 2 Harihar Nagar My Big Father, among others.
For the Tamil audience, he is best known for his role as Jessie’s (Trisha) uncle in the romantic film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. The actor also essayed the same role in the Telugu and Hindi versions of the film, Ye Maaya Chesave and Ekk Deewana Tha, respectively.
He has also appeared in Tamil films such as Raja Rani, Nanbenda, Theri, and Konjam Konjam, sharing the screen with actors Nayanthara, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Vijay, and Arya, among others.
As per the Onmanorama report, Pradeep won the Best Supporting Actor award for his various roles at the 2nd Asianet Comedy Awards 2016.
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Film personalities such as actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran and producer Anto Joseph condoled the death of the actor on social media. Calling Kottayam Pradeep, a “very natural actor,” filmmaker John Mahendran also mourned his death.
Kottayam Pradeep was last seen in Pappantem Simontem Piller (2021). He will also appear in Mohanlal’s Aaraattu, which is due to release on Friday.
The late actor is survived by his wife, Maya, and two children.