Malayalam actress KPAC Lalitha dies at 74, tributes pour in from Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Mammootty

Well-known Malayalam actress KPAC Lalitha passed away late on Tuesday evening at her residence in Tripunithura near Kochi. The actress was 74 and was bedridden for the past few months.

Lalitha’s acting career as a theatre artist five decades ago with KPAC (Kerala People's Arts Club), a theatre collective in Kerala.

Lalitha is survived by her actor-director son Sidharth Bharathan and daughter Sreekutty. She was married to the legendary Malayalam film director late Bharathan. She started her film career in 1969 with 'Koottukudumbam' which was directed by K S Sethumadhavan.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled her demise on social media and praised her acting capabilities. Malayalam star Mammooty wrote in tribute on Twitter, "I have lost someone I cherish so much, respectfully with memories that will never leave."

Koottukudumbam , Kattathe Kilikkoodu , Amaram , Shantham and Snehaveedu .

Dulquer Salmaan wrote on Twitter mourning her demise, “The most love I've felt for a co actor. As an actor she was magic, wearing her genius as lightly as her smile. I've never felt more alive in a scene cause she transcended the written word. These pictures are from our last day together. I couldn't let go and demanded hugs and kisses. She kept saying we should do a film where we are a mother and son constantly bickering. I thought we had time. Like how we began every text message to each other Chakkare Evideya... #lalithaaunty #endechakkarakutty #myhearthurts, he said.”

He had last worked with her in the 2020 film Varane Avashyamund.

Prithviraj Sukumaran paid her a tribute writing, "Rest in peace Lalitha aunty! It was a privilege to have shared the silver screen with you! One of the finest actors I've known.”

Actress Keerthy Suresh also mourned the monumental loss to the Malayalam film industry saying, “Extremely saddened to hear about the passing of the legendary KPAC Lalitha aunty. My heartfelt condolences to the family."

Lalitha who was known for films like Koottukudumbam , Kattathe Kilikkoodu , Amaram , Shantham and Snehaveedu is survived by her actor-director son Sidharth Bharathan and her daughter Sreekutty.