Kalashala Babu, one of the foremost theatre artistes in Kerala and senior Malayalam cine-actor, died in a private hospital in Kochi on Sunday night. He was 68.
According to reports, he was admitted to the hospital after a heart attack in January, and had been in a serious condition ever since.
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Babu, son of Kathakali exponent Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair and Mohiniyattam danseuse Kalyanikkutti Amma, entered Malayalam cinema through Inayethedi (1977), and later ventured into television serials. Alongside, he was actively involved in theatre. He worked with the renowned troupe, Kalidasa Kala Kendram, for a few years, and later founded his troupe, Kalashala, in which he worked with exponents like Surasu, Thilakan and NN Pillai. He made a successful reentry in Mollywood through Kasthooriman (2003), and acted in over 50 films. Some of the noted films include Pokkiri Raja, Lion and Thuruppu Gulaan.
Babu is survived by wife, Lalitha, and a son and a daughter.