Legendary Tamil actress Gopishantha, better known by her stage name Manorama, passed away on Saturday night. She was 78.
She was also lovingly called Manorama Aachi or Aachi by her admirers.
The Tamil actress who has appeared in more than 1,000 films, holds the record of having acted with five former chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
A 2002 Padma Shri recipient, Manorama won several awards, including the National Award for Best Supporting Actor for her role in film "Pudhiya Padhai".
She also acted in Malayalam and Hindu films, besides Tamil and Telugu. In one of her last interviews (published 24 September in TOI), Aach was asked if she had any regrets about her life. To this, she had said: "I've no regrets at all. I'm blessed in this life."
"Even in my next birth, I want to be born as Manorama again. I want this same life, and same people around me. Most of all, I want my mom with me again."
Her death is a big loss to the Tamil film industry. Her body will be kept for public viewing at her house in Chennai from 1.30 pm (11 October).
Legendary Tamil actor 'Aachi' Manorama funeral [Photo Gallery]
Celebrity reactions [ Read: Rajinikanth, Vijay, Suriya, Dhanush, Trisha, Shruti pay tributes]
A sad day in the history of tamil cinema..1 of the greatest actor #MANORAMA fondly known as #AACHI is no more with us..a legend has left us.
— khushbusundar (@khushsundar) October 10, 2015
RIP Manorama Aachi.Such a privilege to have met you. The Heavens are now lucky to be able to see you and your powerhouse talent first hand. — Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) October 10, 2015
Oh no!!!!one of the few ladies I really admire and love as an actor and as a lady...Manorama aachi has left us...:(will miss u aachi!
— priyamani (@priyamani6) October 10, 2015
Read condolence messages by her fans on Twitter
Rajeswari K @rajeswarik18
RIP Manorama Aachi.. Such a great actor.
Maruthu Pandi @itmaruthu
RIP achi manorama... Tamil cinema will miss you #Manorama
Warrior Vivek @Veeravivek93
R.I.P. Manoram #Achi.. A legendary actress #Manorama
Vijay Raj @vijayraj180
Big loss of tamil cinema RIP.... aachi no one can ever replace ur place.... #Manorama
actress_swethaashok @swethaashok1297
Rip Manorama Achi my family got a chance to know you and got blessings from u my dad received award
s-IaM @s7IaM 5m5 minutes ago
Namma pallathur chettinad #Aachi no more. #Manorama .we will treasure what you served to cinema. #RIP
Madness @madhu1291
the most heart breaking news. She was the epitome of acting. Rest in peace #AACHI. Great loss to our cinema lovers #MANORAMA#miss you
