Tamil actor Thavasi, who was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, died on Monday at a Madurai hospital in Tamil Nadu. He was 60.
The actor, who had played supporting roles in Tamil films, had been undergoing treatment at the Saravana Multispeciality Hospital in Madurai from earlier this month.
Last week, a video of the late actor seeking financial aid for his treatment went viral. Many actors from the Tamil film industry, including Rajinikanth, Robo Shankar, Vijay Sethupathi, Sivakarthikeyan, Silambarasan, and Soori contributed money for the actor’s treatment.
After taking the actor’s plight into consideration, managing director of Saravana Multispeciality Hospital and MLA of Madurai’s Thiruparankundram constituency P Saravanan waived treatment charges for Thavasi.
Speaking to Silverscreen India, Saravanan said, “The actor was admitted in the hospital on November 11 and was at stage four of oesophagus cancer. At the time of admission, he could not swallow his saliva or food.”
Adding that the actor had been suffering from cancer for eight months, he said: “The actor was put on a liquid diet and an endoscopy procedure was performed.”
Saravanan said that the late actor had lost hopes of surviving the disease, had been reacting negatively and refused to undergo treatment. “Last night, at around 7 pm, the relatives were ready to take him from the hospital and the actor breathed last at 8 pm,” Saravanan said.
On Monday, Saravanan wrote on Twitter, “Character actor Mr Thavasi was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and was admitted to our Saravana Hospital on 11.11.2020 (in a very advanced condition). We fitted him with an Oesophageal Stent in the oesophagus. He had been receiving treatment in a separate room.” He further wrote, “Mr Thavasi was transferred to the emergency department today (23.11.20) due to severe shortness of breath. He died at 8:00 pm without any treatment. I extend my deepest condolences to his relatives, friends and fans.”
குணச்சித்திர நடிகர் திரு.தவசி அவர்கள் உணவுக் குழாய் புற்றுநோயால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டு 11.11.2020 அன்று (மிகவும் முற்றிய நிலையில்) எங்களது சரவணா மருத்துவமனையில் உள்நோயாளியாக அனுமதிக்கப்பட்டார். அவருக்கு உணவுக்குழாயில் Oesophageal Stent பொருத்தியிருந்தோம்.
தனி அறையில் சிகிச்சை பெற்று pic.twitter.com/6XmnDwUbJX
— Dr.P.Saravanan MD.,MLA (@mdr_saravanan) November 23, 2020
Thavasi is survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
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According to a report by The Times of India, while Silambarasan and Sethupathi donated Rs 1 lakh each, Sivakarthikeyan contributed Rs 25,000 through his fan club. Soori, too, donated Rs 25,000 and provided food for Thavasi’s family through his hotel in Madurai.
Thavasi made his acting debut in the 1993 Tamil drama Kizhakku Cheemayile, helmed by veteran director Bharathiraja, alongside actors Vijaykumar and Radhika Sarathkumar. He has acted in over 140 films. His last acting stint was Annathe, starring Rajinikanth, which is yet to be released. He has also acted in supporting roles in films like Varuthapadadha Valibar Sangam, Rajini Murugan, and Sundarapandian.