Veteran comedy actor Vellai Subbaiah passed away this morning aged 78 as he lost the battle with throat cancer from which he was suffering for a few years.  He was in the news recently as he requested help from the district collector for his medical expenses.

Vellai Subbaiah made his debut in Devar's 'Manavan' and the legedary producer added the "Vellai" to his name as there was another Subbaiah known as "Karuppu" due to their skin complexion.  He went on to star in many movies with Sivaji, MGR, Rajini and Kamal.  The younger generation can recognize him as one of the key players in the famous banana comedy of Gowndamani-Senthil in 'Karagattakaran' and for featuring as the onscreen singer of the popular song "Megamkarukaiyile" in Vijayakanth's 'Vaidehi Kathirunthaal' directed by R. Sundarjan.  We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the veteran for this irrepairable loss.