Malayalam film industry mourns Sridevi

The news of veteran actor Sridevi's demise has come as a shock to the Malayalam film industry. In her career that began when she was just four, the actor starred in 26 Malayalam films starting with Kumara Sambhavam in 1969, with Devaraagam in 1996 being her last.

The actor, who was in Dubai for a family function, reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest on Saturday night. She was 54. 

Her performance in Poompatta (1971) won her the first Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist and subsequently went on to win two more state awards.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said it was a massive loss for the film industry. "As a child artiste in Malayalam, she went on to play so many characters, which will remain etched in the minds of all. A massive loss for the film fraternity," said Vijayan.

Veteran actor Raghavan said that it was painful to hear the news. "Her dedication and commitment is worth emulating and this is an irreparable loss to the film industry," said Raghavan, father of late popular actor Jishnu who passed away in 2016.

Sheela, who was the leading star for close to three decades in the Malayalam film industry from 1960's and witnessed the rise of Sridevi, said no one can forget the way she carried herself.

Actor Jagdish said: "Now it will only be memories and that will be there forever because she has left an everlasting impression of her acting skills."