Malayalam actor Anil Nedumangad drowns in Malankara dam

PTI, Dec 26, 2020, 10:02 AM IST

Malayalam actor Anil Nedumangad, best known for his role as a police officer in the critically acclaimed Ayyappannum Koshiyum, drowned while bathing near the Malankara dam site Friday evening, police said.

The actor was in Thodupuzha in connection with a film shoot of his new movie Peace starring Joju George and had gone to bathe with friends during a break when the mishap occurred.

Condoling the actor’s demise, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said by portraying notable characters, Anil Nedumangad established his niche in Malayalam films. With his inimitable acting prowess, Anil has left an indelible mark among film viewers, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a statement.

Anil, 48, began his career in Malayalam television channels as an anchor and went on to don the grease paint in various films, including Njan Steve Lopez, Pavada, Kammatti Padam, Kismat, Porinju Mariam Jose besides Ayyappannum Koshiyum. The actor had penned a touching Facebook post about Ayyappannum Koshiyum director K R Sachidanandan (Sachi), who passed away six months ago. It was Sachidanandan’s birthday on Friday.

The tragedy comes close on the heels of the death of 37-year-old Malayalam film director Shahnavas Naranipuzha, who died of heart attack two days ago.

Shahnavas’ Sufiyum Sujatayum with Bollywood actor Aditi Rao Hydari and Jayasurya in the lead role, was the first Malayalam film to be released on OTT platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Actors Prithviraj, Dulquer Salman, Biju Menon and Suraj Venjaramudu, took to social media to mourn the death of Anil.