From Sridevi to Cheenu Mohan, Kollywood celebrities who passed away in 2018

Kollywood lost some of its talented personalities this year. Here is a look at some K-town celebrities who we lost this year and their contribution to films.

Legendary actress Sridevi’s untimely demise left many hearts broken. The actress, who had an illustrious career in the film industry spanning four decades, drowned in a bathtub in her hotel room in Dubai. Sridevi made her debut as a child artiste with the Tamil film Kandhan Karunai (1967) at the age of 4. She had a widespread success in all the film industries and was even called Bollywood’s first lady superstar. Her landmark Tamil films include Moondru Mudichu, 16 Vayathinile, Priya, Johnny, Moondram Pirai, and Varumaiyin Niram Sigappu. She shot to fame in Bollywood with the Jeetendra-starrer Himmatwala. She then went on to do films like Jaanbaaz, Nagina, Mr India and Chandni to name a few. After her wedding to Boney Kapoor and an eight-year hiatus from the film industry, she made a comeback with English Vinglish. Her last onscreen appearance was in Zero, in a cameo.

Actor Mohan aka Cheenu Mohan, aged 62, passed away this morning (December 27, 2018) due to a massive heart attack. Cheenu Mohan’s family confirmed the same to media. Mohan turned 'Cheenu Mohan' with his portrayal of 'Cheenu' in one of Crazy Mohan’s play. Cheenu Mohan was a renowned actor with some remarkable work in Tamil films, theatre and Television. He featured in Ragasiyam, the first season of the popular Tamil mystery anthology series Marmadesam produced by eminent filmmaker K. Balachander.

Stage, film and TV serial actor R Neelakandan, known by his stage name Neelu, died in Chennai, due to age-related ailments. He was 83. He was undergoing treatment in a private hospital. Neelu had acted in plays before appearing in films. The stage veteran frequently collaborated with Cho Ramaswamy, Y Gee Mahendran, Crazy Mohan, S Ve Shekher and Mouli. He had acted in around 7,000 plays. Neelu, who was last seen in the films Trisha Illana Nayanthara (2016) and Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan (2017), made his film debut with Aayiram Poi (1969).

Veteran Tamil actor Vellai Subbiah passed away at the age of 80. He was suffering from throat cancer. He worked with legendary actors like MG Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. He is popular for being part of the famous ‘banana comedy’ scene with Goundamani and Senthil in Karagattakaran. He also played an important role in Vaidehi Kathirunthal.

Character artiste Kovai Senthil aka Kumaraswamy, who was seen in comedy roles, passed away at the age of 74 in Coimbatore. He made his screen debut with K Bhagyaraj’s Oru Kai Osai (1980). He acted in more than 200 films and shared screen space with Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. He was known for his roles in Idhu Namma Aalu, Aararo Aariraro, Avasara Police 100 and Tamizh Padam.

Makeup man Muthappa has worked with all the stalwarts of Tamil cinema including Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. The veteran makeup artiste passed away at 75 years due to age-related diseases. He has been working as a makeup artist for six decades and is popularly known as AVM Muthappa. Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan both rushed to pay their last respects to the legendary makeup artist.

Rocket Ramanathan was considered one of the first mimicry artistes in Tamil cinema. He passed away this year at the age of 74. Ramanathan was known for his imitations of MG Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan. To him, the stage was more important than tinsel town despite his fantastic work in films like Sparisam and Manakanakku. He was conferred with the Kalaimamani award by the state government. The credit for popularising mimicry goes to this veteran.