Mohanlal to Prithviraj Sukumaran, Mollywood celebs express grief over Kottayam Pradeep’s untimely demise

Mollywood fans and celebs woke up today morning to the shocking news of actor Kottayam Pradeep’s untimely demise. The actor, who was 61, had been rushed to a private hospital in Kottayam after complaining of physical uneasiness at night. He had suffered a heart attack and passed away at 4am on Thursday.

Pradeep had acted in more than 70 films since making his feature film debut in 2001 with IV Sasi’s Ee Naadu Innale Vare. He had shared screen space with most leading actors in Malayalam through movies such as Mohanlal’s Ennum Eppozhum, Mammootty’s Thoppil Joppan, Nivin Pauly’s Oru Vadakkan Selfie, Asif Ali’s Kunjeldho, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Amar Akbar Antony and Fahadh Faasil’s Amen.

The actor, who is known for comedic roles, also starred in several Tamil movies including Vijay’s Theri, Nayanthara’s Raja Rani and Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa, in which he played the uncle of Trisha’s character. Pradeep also reprised the role in the Bollywood remake of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa titled Ek Deewana Tha.

Several Mollywood celebs including Mohanlal, Prithviraj, Unni Mukundan, Asif Ali and B Unnikrishnan had expressed their grief at the actor’s passing, through their social media page. 

While Mohanlal last acted with Pradeep in Aaraattu, Prithviraj had worked with the actor in Amar Akbar Antony and Darwinte Parinamam. Mohanlal expressed his commiseration to the actor "who found a place in the hearts of the audience through varied roles".

Vineeth Sreenivasan, who had worked with the actor in Thattathin Marayathu and Oru Vadakkan Selfie, wrote that he couldn't believe the news. "Done a few films together, but have a lot of good memories," he wrote. 

Vishu Unnikrishnan, who acted with Pradeep in Kattapanayile Rithwik Roshan - a role that won the actor a lot of fans, also expressed his condolences. Manju Warrier, who had worked with the actor in Ennum Eppozhum, also shared a post expressing her grief for her "dear colleague's" passing.

Pradeep will next be seen in Mohanlal's Aaraattu, which is set to release on February 18. The film's director shared a still from the movie, hailing Pradeep as a "talented actor". He also wrote how they had talked only recently about Aaraattu's release and Pradeep shared a promo video for Aaraattu's GCC release.

Pradeep had also completed shooting for Joju George's Peace and Rony David's Oru Pazhanchan Pranayam - both of which are set to release soon. The actor is survived by wife Maya and their two children.

Also read: Kottayam Pradeep’s combination scenes with Mohanlal in Aaraattu was entertaining: B Unnikrishnan