One of the most renowned Mollywood actor, Thilakan passed away at a private hospital following a cardiac arrest today. He was 77.

The actor survived by two sons and two daughters, was admitted to the hospital on August 23 after which he had suffered two more heart attacks. Thilakan was often in ventilator since a pneumonia attack that happened while in the hospital.

Surendranath Thilakan remained an actor beyond comparison and often stole the thunder from the heroes of the film including the megastars Mammootty and Mohanlal. Thilakan who was a regular in crossing swords with the big wigs of Mollywood, began his acting career in his intermediate days. He was a part of the pro-Left Kerala Peoples' Arts Centre (KPAC). His entry into filmdom happened in 1972 with a small role ‘Periyar’. But after K G George's 'Ulkadal' and ‘Kolangal’ he remained a busy actor thereafter completing around 200 films . Selected for the national awards for the best supporting actor in 1988, he also was awarded three more state awards and the 'Padmashree' in 2009.

Thilakan has been exceptional in many of his roles including that in 'Perumthachan,' 'Yavanika,'’Dhwani’ 'Kireedam,’Panchagani, Gamanam, Kattukuthira, ''Mukhamudra' 'Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu,'Chenkol, 'Indian Rupee,' 'Moonnampakkam' and 'Kilukkam' to the latest 'Ustad Hotel'. The demise of the veteran is sure to leave a big void in Malayalam cinema. Thilkan's body would be kept for public viewing at the Victoria Jubilee Memorial Town Hall in Thiruvananthapuram from 11 a.m. and cremated at the electric crematorium around 4 p.m.