Savithri Sreedharan Death: National Award-winning Malayalam actor and veteran theatre artiste Savithri Sreedharan passed away at her residence in Mankavu, Kozhikode, on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. She was 78. According to family sources, she had been bedridden for a prolonged period due to age-related ailments.

Malayalam Actor Savithri Sreedharan Passes Away At 78 In Kozhikode

  • Date of Passing: Wednesday, 23 September 2026

  • Age: 78 years

  • Location: Mankavu, Kozhikode, Kerala

  • Breakout Role: Jameela in Sudani from Nigeria (2018)

  • Major Honours: Special Mention at the 66th National Film Awards, Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actress

Who Was Savithri Sreedharan?

Long before captivating mainstream cinema audiences, Savithri Sreedharan established herself as a formidable force on the stage. Her career spanned nearly five decades, during which she performed in both amateur and professional theatre.

She made her stage debut with Karutha Velicham, produced by the Valayanad Kala Samithi. In 1984, she joined K.T. Mohammed’s renowned Kalinga Theatre, starring in the landmark production Ithu Bhoomiyanu. Her standout performance in the play Aniyara earned her the prestigious Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Best Actress as well as the Kerala State Theatre Award.

She made her film debut in M.T. Vasudevan Nair’s 1991 drama Kadavu, though theatre remained her primary artistic home for decades.

Savithri Sreedharan achieved widespread cinematic recognition for her performance as Jameela, the compassionate mother of the titular character in Zakariya Mohammed’s 2018 film Sudani from Nigeria.

Her portrayal of warmth and quiet resilience earned her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actress, alongside co-star Sarasa Balussery. She also received a Special Mention at the 66th National Film Awards.

Following her breakout success, she appeared in several prominent films, including Valiyangadi, Dakini, Mera Naam Shaji, Virus, Ittymaani: Made in China, Pada, and Paappan.

State Condolences And Tributes

Kerala Agriculture Minister T. Siddique expressed grief over her passing in a Facebook post, describing her death as an irreparable loss to Malayalam arts, "Farewell to beloved actress Savitri Sreedharan. Savitri Sreedharan won the hearts of Malayalam cinema audiences with her role as Jameela in Sudani from Nigeria. She received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actress for her performance in the film and also earned a Special Mention at the National Film Awards."

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"Before entering cinema, Savitri Sreedharan was active in professional theatre for more than four decades. She also won Kerala State Theatre Awards for her outstanding performances. The passing of this beloved artist, who left her mark on both theatre and cinema through her distinctive acting, is a great loss to the Malayalam arts community. Tributes," he added.

FAQs

Q1: When did veteran Malayalam actor Savithri Sreedharan pass away?

A: Savithri Sreedharan passed away on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, in Kozhikode at the age of 78.

Q2: Which film earned Savithri Sreedharan a National Film Award special mention?

A: She earned a Special Mention at the 66th National Film Awards for her performance in the 2018 film Sudani from Nigeria.