Veteran Tamil comedian Vellai Subbiah died late on Wednesday night at his Mettupalayam residence due to age-related ailments. He was 78.
The actor, who is survived by his wife and daughter, is originally from Erode district. Due to health issues, he moved to Mettupalayam about five years ago. It is said that on September 1, the actor suddenly lost consciousness and was admitted to a private hospital, but he did not respond to treatment.
A few years ago, it was reported that the actor had submitted a petition to the Coimbatore District Collector seeking financial aid for his medical expenditure.
Earlier this afternoon, the South Indian Film Artistes Association released a statement condoling his death.
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The actor has worked with leading artistes such as MG Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Vijayakanth. He is known for his roles in Bharathiraaja’s Alaigal Oivathillai (1981), besides Gopurangal Saivathillai (1982), Kaadhal Oviyam (1982), Karakattakaran (1989), Thottil Kuzhandhai (1995) and Senthooram (1998).
Having acted in more than 200 films, Vellai Subbiah was conferred with the Kalaiselvam Award by the Tamil Nadu Government. He also received the Kalai Mudhumani Award given by the Department of Art and Culture, Tamil Nadu.
Earlier on Wednesday morning, veteran comedian and mimicry artiste ‘Rocket’ Ramanathan, 72, died at his Chennai residence following complications from chronic diabetes and other age-related ailments.