Kerala State Award winning actor Akhil Viswanath was found dead at his home on Wednesday, police confirmed. He was 30 years old. His sudden death has shocked the Malayalam film industry, with many colleagues and fans expressing their sorrow.
Akhil became well known for his role in Sanal Kumar Sasidharan’s film Chola, which won the Kerala State Award in 2019. He also acted in movies like Operation Java. As a child actor, Akhil and his brother Arun won the Kerala State Government Award for Best Child Artist for their performance in Maangaandi.
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Reports say Akhil was living with his family in Kodaly. His father, Viswanath, is currently recovering from injuries after a motorcycle accident. Akhil was found unresponsive by his mother, Geetha, when she was getting ready to leave for work. He had been working as a mobile phone repair technician, but had not been going to work for some time. Police have started an investigation to find out the exact cause of his death.
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The news was first shared by film worker Manoj Kumar, who wrote, “What have you done, Akhil?”
Director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan also shared a condolence note on Facebook, which read:
“The news that Akhil committed suicide is heartbreaking. He came to cinema from extreme poverty. A single movie called Chola was enough for him to enter Malayalam cinema as an actor. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. After the film was confined, the future hopes of many people, including that young man who proved his talent through the film, were pushed into darkness. I can’t believe Akhil committed suicide. I knew he was preparing to act in a film that was to start soon. I feel deeply saddened. I do not know the cause of this untimely death, but those who darkened the futures of people like you have a part in this tragedy. May your soul rest in peace.”
Actor Joju George also expressed his grief, writing, “Rest in peace, Akhil.”
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