Malayalam actor Sudheesh's father Sudhakaran dies at 73

Malayalam drama and film actor Sudhakaran passed away on Monday, 4 January, at a private hospital in Kozhikode due to age-related ailments. Sudhakaran, father of actor Sudheesh, was under treatment for quite some time. He was 73.

The late actor's mortal remains will be kept at an art gallery from 9 am on Tuesday, where people may pay homage, and the cremation will take place at 11 am at the Mavoor Road crematorium. Many celebs and politicians in Kerala are expected to pay tribute to the actor.

Born on 28 September 1943 to Madhavan Menon and Janaki Amma, Sudhakaran began his career as a drama artiste and is known for his role in Akkitham's "Ee Edathi Nonaye Parayoo" in 1957. After becoming a full-time drama artist, he received the silver medal for best comedian in 1964. He also bagged the Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy's best actor award and Nilamboor Balan memorial award for his performances in many plays.

Later, he began acting in movies and became a part of many hit films in supporting roles. He was last seen in Siddharth Siva's national award-winning movie "Ain". Sudhakaran's only son Sudheesh followed in his father's step and acted in many movies in Malayalam since 1979. His debut movie was "Ormayil Nee Mathrem", and he was last seen in Prithviraj Sukumaran's blockbuster movie "Ennu Ninte Moideen".

Sudhakaran retired as deputy collector from the Wayanad Revenue Department in 1995 and is survived by his wife Suryaprabha, son Sudheesh, daughter-in-law Dhanya and grandson Rudraksh.