Malayalam cinema continues to mourn the loss of veteran actor Santhosh K Nair, who passed away at the age of 65 following a road accident in Pathanamthitta on Tuesday morning. As tributes poured in from across the industry, veteran actor Mohanlal shared a deeply personal note, remembering his long-standing association with Santhosh.

Taking to social media, Mohanlal wrote, “I was deeply saddened to hear this distressing news this morning. Santhosh, someone very dear to me personally, has bid farewell to this world following a road accident. He was my junior in college, and from those days onwards, he remained a close friend and like a brother to me. We worked together on numerous films over the years. A man of strong character and presence, he was also someone who won the affection of everyone with his kind heart. I offer my heartfelt condolences, with profound sorrow, on Santhosh’s untimely passing.”

The note reflects the bond the two actors shared, dating back to their college days at Mahatma Gandhi College in Thiruvananthapuram. Though contemporaries in age, Santhosh had once stepped away from his studies, which made him Mohanlal’s junior upon returning. Over the years, the two went on to share screen space in several films, with some of their most notable collaborations including Irupatham Noottandu, Yuvajanotsavam, Ayitham, Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal, Vishnulokam and Chandrolsavam.

Santhosh, known for his villainous, supporting, and comedic roles, had a prominent career spanning more than 100 films. He died following injuries sustained in a car-lorry collision at Enathu in Pathanamthitta. His wife, Subhashree, who was travelling with him, was also injured. While undergoing treatment, he reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest.