Popular Malayalam poet and lyricist Anil Panachooran passed away due to cardiac arrest at the age of 55.  He had tested positive for COVID-19 earlier and was undergoing treatment for the same at his residence.

A lawyer by profession, Panachooran was born in Kayamkulam on November 20, 1965. After rising to fame in the literary circles, he made his film debut in 2007 with director Lal Jose's Arabikatha. A poem from the film - Chora Veena Mannil Ninnu - found instant popularity.

He is also known for his work in films like Kammara Sambhavam, City of God, Seniors, and, most recently, Velipaadinte Pusthakham. He proved his versatility with the chartbuster Jimikki Kammal.

Before his passing, Panachooran worked on director Vijeesh P Vijayan's Within Seconds, which is about to go on floors.