Malayalam actor Kottayam Pradeep died on Thursday morning following a heart attack, On Manorama reported. He was 61. 

Several from the Malyalam film industry paid their tributes to Pradeep. 

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“Rest in peace!” actor Prithviraj Sukumaran tweeted. 

“The VTV actor #kottayampradeep is no more! Rest in peace,” Allaudin Hussain said. 

The actor started his acting career in 2001 at the age of 40 and has since acted in over 70 movies, mostly donning comic roles.

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Some of his popular movies include Aadu Oru Bheegara Jeevi Aanu, Oru Vadakkan Selfie, Life of Josutty, Kunjiramayanam, Welcome to Central Jail and Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan.

A native of Kumaranalloor, Kottayam, Pradeep was born and raised in Thiruvathukalam, Kottayam district. The actor is survived by his wife, children Vishnu and Vrinda.

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Kottayam was known for his role in comedies. He began his career  as a junior artist, making his debut in IV Sasi’s Ee Naale Innale Vare (2001). 

The actor had also played a supporting role in Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Tamil film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa and reprised the role of the female protagonist’s uncle in its Hindi remake Ekk Deewana Tha, which starred Amy Jackson and Prateik Babbar.

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His Kollywood career included films like Vijay’s Theri, Nayanthara’s Raja Rani and Udayanidhi Stalin’s Nanbennda. 

His exact net worth is not known.