Mollywood veteran & theatre star Poojapura Ravi passes away at 83

Noted movie actor and theatre personality Poojapura Ravi died on Sunday at the residence of his daughter near Marayoor in Idukki District, family sources said. He was 83.

The actor was staying with his daughter at Marayoor for the past few months, sources said. Family sources said the body will be brought to Thiruvananthapuram today itself where the funeral will be held on Tuesday. He is survived by two children. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other ministers condoled the death of the actor. The CM said said Ravi had conquered the minds of people through theatre. "He later became popular through the comedy roles he played in the movies. His demise is a loss to the art and cultural landscape of the state," Vijayan said in a statement. State Minister for Culture Saji Cheriyan recalled the popular theatre artiste's long career in which he has acted in around 4,000 plays and nearly 800 movies.

Ravi is known for his characters in 'Kallan Kappalil thanne', 'Rowdi Ramu', 'Ormakal Marikkumo', 'Ammini Mammavan', 'Mutharamkunnu P O', and 'Mazha Peyyunnu Maddhalam Kottunnu' among others.