Mohanlal on KPAC Lalitha's demise: Lost my own sister

In the past four decades, Mohanlal and KPAC Lalitha had shared screen space in several Malayalam films and she was a perennial presence in his movies in the 80s, 90s and 00s. The veteran actress’ passing on Tuesday will surely leave a void that would be hard to fill.

Mohanlal was among the first few celebrities to visit the actress’ home on Tuesday night, along with other members of the actors’ organisation AMMA. Talking to the media, the superstar said, “We knew each other for so many years and we have acted in so many films together. But more than that, she was like a sister to me and this loss is like that. It's a tearful adieu. Though chechi and I had acted as mother and son in only a few films, we had done so many good movies together.”

Over the years, the duo had shared screen space in several of the superstar’s prominent movies such as TP Balagopalan MA, Sadayam, Gandhinagar 2nd Street, Dasharatham, Akkare Akkare Akkare, Vietnam Colony, Manichithrathazhu, Pavithram, Spadikam and Snehaveedu. Their last collaboration was for the comedy Ittymani: Made in China in 2019.

Lalitha has acted in over 550 films in her career spanning close to 45 years. The actress won two National Awards for Second Best Actor in movies Amaram and Shantham, and four Kerala State Film Awards. Having started her career in theatre at the tender age of 10, she went on to be part of several prominent drama troupes of Kerala before making her debut through K Sethumadhavan’s Koottukudumbam in 1969.

The actress, who was heading the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, passed away on Tuesday due to liver-related ailments. She had been under treatment for various illnesses over the past year. Lalitha is survived by son and filmmaker Siddharth Bharathan and daughter Sreekutty.

Also read: KPAC Lalitha: A versatile actor who could bring to life any role leaves a void that cannot be filled