Malayalam actor Punnapra Appachan passed away on Monday. The 77-year-old was under treatment at TD Medical College, Alappuzha, following a head injury.

Appachan has been a part of the Malayalam film industry since the 1970s. He made his acting debut in 1970 with Sathyan's Othenente Makan, and followed it up with roles in films such as Anubhavangal Paalichakal, Anantaram, Kanyakumari, Nakshathrangale Kaval, Ivar, Visham, Kolilakkam, and Attakkalasam, among others. He mostly acted in villainous and character roles.

Paying his condolences to Appachan, director Vinayan wrote on social media,

Appachan Chettan has acted with the likes of Sathyan Master and Nazir Sir to the current new generation stars. I first met him at Udaya Studio before I entered the film industry and went on to work with him on three or four of my films. My tributes to an artist who lived and left with an undying passion for acting.