Actor Jagannatha Varma Passes Away

Jagannatha Varma, the senior Malayalam actor passed away. The 77-year-old breathed his last at a private hospital in Trivandrum, at 8 AM today (December 20). He was admitted to the hospital due to pneumonia.

The multi-faceted talent is survived by wife Santha Varma, son Manu Varma, the popular movie-television actor, and daughter Priya Varma. Popular cinema-tv serial director Viji Thampi is his son-in-law.

He was born as the third child of Thekkedathu Kovilakam Kerala Varma Thampuran and Kattunkal Kovilakam Ambalika at Cherthala. Jagannatha Varma started his career as a Kathakali artist, under the guidance of Pallippuram Gopalan Nair.

Varma later joined the Kerala Police Force in 1963 and retired as the Superintend of Police. He made his acting debut in 1978, with the movie Maattoli, directed by AL Bheem Singh. He rose to fame with his portrayal of police and priest roles.

The actor made a mark in the industry with his roles in the several blockbuster movies, including New Delhi, Sreekrishnaparunthu, Sukhamo Devi, Yodha, Lelam, Aaram Thampuran, Pathram, etc. He has acted in about 575 films and several serials.

Interestingly, Jagannatha Varma has also made his debut in 'chenda melam' at the age of 74, under the guidance of Kandalloor Unnikrishnan. The actor last appeared in the TV serial Mangalyappattu, which has been aired in Mazhavil Manorama channel.