Malayalam actress Ambika Rao, known for ‘Kumbalangi Nights’, dies of heart attack at 58

Malayalam actress Ambika Rao, known for her role in ‘Kumbalangi Nights’, passed away on Monday. The 58-year-old actress died after she suffered a cardiac arrest.

According to reports, Rao breathed her last at around 10:30 pm at a hospital in Ernakulam. The actress was reportedly undergoing treatment after contracting Covid-19.

Rao began her career in the Malayalam film industry in 2002 as an assistant director with film-maker Balachandra Menon’s ‘Krishna Gopalakrishna’. In her career spanning over two decades, she worked as an assistant director for numerous blockbusters films such as Mammootty’s ‘Rajamanikyam’ and ‘Thommanum Makkalum’ and Prithviraj’s ‘Vellinakshathram’.


Besides working as an assistant director, Rao acted in several Malayalam movies such as ‘Salt and Pepper’, ‘Meesha Madhavan’, ‘Thamasha’, ‘Vellam’, etc. Rao is survived by her sons Rahul and Sohan.

Following her death, several Malayalam celebrities such as Prithviraj, Kunchacko Boban and others took to social media to condole her death. “Rest in peace Ambika Chechi,” wrote Prithviraj, while Boban posted, “Rest in everlasting peace Chechi!”

Meanwhile, the Tamil film industry is mourning the loss of its veteran actor Poo Ramu. He became a popular name with the movie ‘Poo’ in 2008. The 60-year-old actor was last seen in ‘Soorarai Potru’. The actor was rushed to Rajiv Gandhi hospital in Chennai on Friday after a cardiac arrest. He breathed his last on Monday.

Neerparavai, Pariyerum Perumal and Nedunaalvaadi are some of his notable works. Several Kollywood celebrities and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin condoled the death of the actor. Stalin expressed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the film industry.