21-year-old Nikita Naiyar, a child artist and daughter of media professional Namitha Madhavankutty, passed away on Sunday, January 26 after battling Wilson’s disease–a rare genetic disorder that leads to the dangerous accumulation of copper in the body, causing severe damage to vital organs. She died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
She was the daughter of Namitha Madhavankutty, who works as a curator at Kappa TV.
A native of Karunagappally in Kollam, Nikita was a B.Sc. Psychology student at St Teresa’s College in Ernakulam in Kerala, and was admired for her leadership skills and academic excellence. She was the former chairperson of St Teresa's College.
Nikita had acted as a child artist in the popular Malayalam film Marykkundoru Kunjaadu directed by Shafi, starring Dileep and Bhavana. She portrayed the role of young Bhavana in the film, earning her recognition for her performance at a young age.
Nikita’s struggle with Wilson’s disease was marked by immense courage. She had undergone two liver transplants, with the most recent surgery conducted just a week before her passing. Despite these efforts, her condition deteriorated, and she succumbed to the illness.
Nikita’s funeral was held on Monday, December 27, following a public homage at her residence in Netaji Nagar, Edappally.