KPAC Lalitha, passing away left a huge void in world of cinema. But, she left an everlasting knowledge of acting, and acting prowess for generation to come. She breathed her last on Tuesday night after a brief illness. She was 74.
Born on February 25, 1947 in the Alappuzha district, Lalitha made her mark as a theatre artist before foraying into cinema and emerging as one of the finest actors across south cinema, most popularly in Malayalam.
KPAC Lalitha, started acting through the various drama troupes in the late 1960s established a niche for herself through the KPAC, which was one of the most prominent drama troupes in Kerala then.
The actress etched a place for herself in Malayalam cinema by playing character roles in nearly 550 films and won the national award for the best-supporting actress through Amaram (1990), directed by Bharathan, and through Jayaraj’s Shantham (2000).
KPAC Lalitha – Industry colleagues pay rich tributes to the legendary actor
Even before her successful stint with theatre, KPAC Lalitha was a passionate dancer and she even dropped out of school in Class 7 after she enrolled in a dance academy.
She had starred in over 550 films and has two National Awards to her credit. Most popular for playing roles of a mother, she made her acting debut with the Malayalam film Kootukudumbam, a movie adaptation of a play by the same name that she had worked in.
Keerthy Suresh wrote, “Extremely saddened to hear about the passing of the legendary KPAC Lalitha aunty. My heartfelt condolences to the family.” Revathy Asha Kelunni wrote, “Lalitha Chechi – Thank you Chechi for the abundance of performances… you will live on for generations through them all. May your soul rest in peace.”
In 1978, she married veteran filmmaker Bharathan. She won her first National Award for her performance in 1991 Malayalam film Amaram, which was helmed by her husband.
In 2000, she won the National Award for best supporting role for the movie Shantham.
She has six state awards to her name. These include her performances in films such as Neelaponman, Aaravam, Amaram, Kadinjool Kalyanam, Godfather and Sandesham.
Mammootty wrote a note in Malayalam, which said, “I have lost someone dear to me. With a lot of everlasting memories, I condole her death.” Prithviraj Sukumaran wrote about the National Film Award winner. He wrote, “Rest in peace Lalitha aunty! It was a privilege to have shared the silver screen with you! One of the finest actors I’ve known. #KPACLalitha”
