Malayalam actor Ajith, known for portraying a number of negative roles, died on Thursday at a private hospital in Kochi, family sources said.
The 56-year-old actor was admitted to the hospital 10 days ago following health issues. According to reports, Ajith, who was also known as Kollam Ajith, was suffering from stomach-related ailments and passed away at 3.40 am on Thursday.
Reports say that Ajith's body has already been taken to Kollam, where his last rites will take place at 6 pm.
Ajith, in his career spread over three decades, has acted in around 500 films, mostly in Malayalam besides a few in Tamil and Hindi.
He started his career with the 1984 hit Paranu Paranu Paranu by ace Malayali director Padmarajan.
Ajith was often referred as Malayalam film industry's ‘permanent villain’ on account of his role in the hugely successful 1987 film Irupathaam Noottaandu starring Mohanlal. Since then he was the first choice for villain roles.
Ajith's body will be taken to Kollam, where the last rites would be performed later in the day. He is survived by his wife Prameela, daughter Gayathri and son Sreehari.
Following his death, condolences poured in from the Malayalam film industry. Actor Mohanlal and Suraj Venjaramoodu took to Facebook to condole Ajith's death.
Leading actor Manju Warrier and Mammootty also took to Facebook to pay tribute to Ajith.
Condoling Ajith's death, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijiayan said in a Facebook post:
"Ajith had done notable villain roles in the 90's in Malayalam cinema. He had also acted in around 500 movies in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Condolence to Ajith who had successfully adorned a variety of characters."
With IANS inputs