Veteran Malayalam actor Poojappura Ravi breathed his last at his daughter’s residence in Marayur, Idukki district. The body was brought to Thiruvananthapuram where the funeral was held. 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 during 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.
Ravi was born as M Raveendran Nair in Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram. He adopted his stage name under the influence of Kalanilyam Krishnan Nair, a renowned theatre figure.