Veteran
Malayalam
actor
GK
Pillai,
known
for
his
portrayal
of
negative
roles
in
films,
passed
away
on
Friday
(December
31)
due
to
age-related
ailments.
The
97-year-old
actor
was
reportedly
admitted
to
the
Thiruvananthapuram
Medical
College,
where
he
breathed
his
last.
He
is
survived
by
his
daughters
Sreekala,
Sreekumari,
Sreelekha
and
sons
Prathapachandran,
Priyadarshan
and
Chandramohan.
His
wife
Ulpalakshiyamma
passed
away
a
few
years
ago.
Before
entering
the
showbiz,
Pillai
served
in
the
Indian
Army
and
the
Navy.
His
debut
film
was
Snehaseema
directed
by
SS
Rajan.
Released
in
1954,
the
film
featured
late
legendary
actors
Sathyan
and
Padmini
in
the
lead
roles.
His
noted
films
include
Thacholi
Ambu
(1978),
Paalaattu
Kunjikannan
(1980),
Padayottam
(1982),
Aazhi
(1985),
August
1
(1988),
Agnimrigam
(1971),
Maaya
(1972),
Lottery
Ticket
(1970)
and
Othenente
Makan
(1970)
among
many
others.
Pillai
was
the
only
actor
after
legendary
star
Jayan
who
had
done
most
of
his
stunts
in
films
without
dupes.
He
had
also
appeared
in
various
daily
soaps.
His
debut
television
series
was
the
popular
supernatural
drama
Kadamuttathu
Kathanar.
However,
he
garnered
hearts
with
his
role
as
Colonel
Jagannatha
Varma
(the
main
lead,
Jayanthi's
father)
in
Kumkuumapoovu
that
aired
from
2011
to
2014.
He
was
also
a
part
of
daily
soaps
like
Ente
Manasaputhri,
Autograph,
Ividam
Swargamanu,
Avalude
Katha
and
Spandhanam.
Meanwhile,
upon
learning
the
news
of
his
death,
several
celebrities
from
the
film
fraternity
took
to
their
social
media
handles
to
pay
tribute
to
the
senior
actor.
Calling
him
a
father
figure,
Asha
Sharath
(the
main
lead
of
Kumkumapoovu),
wrote
on
Instagram
that
his
death
is
a
personal
loss.
On
the
other
hand,
Minnal
Murali
actress
Shelly
N
Kumar
(who
played
his
granddaughter
in
Kumkumapoovu)
shared
a
picture
of
the
actor
and
wrote,
"Love
u
pa.....A
real
go-getter...Punctual
and
consistent
human....Rest
in
peace..."