Published Sep 23, 2026 | 10:15 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 23, 2026 | 10:16 AM
Savithri Sreedharan.
Synopsis: Veteran Malayalam theatre and film actor Savithri Sreedharan has died at her home in Mankavu, Kozhikode. She was widely known for playing ‘Umma’ in Sudani from Nigeria, a role that earned her a Special Mention at the National Film Awards and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actress. She won the Kerala State Award for Best Actress in theatre twice and was also honoured by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi for her contribution to the field.
Malayalam theatre and film actor Savithri Sreedharan, who was active on the stage for more than four decades, died at her home in Mankavu, Kozhikode, Keralam on Wednesday, 23 September. She was 85.
Savithri was best known to cinema audiences for her performance as ‘Umma’ in the 2018 Malayalam film Sudani from Nigeria. The role brought her wider recognition and earned her a Special Mention at the National Film Awards and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actress.
She began her acting career in theatre and went on to play powerful characters in thousands of stage performances. She was associated with prominent theatre groups, including KT Mohammed’s Kalinga, Kozhikode Chiranthana, Sangamam and Stage India.
Savithri won the Kerala State Award for Best Actress in theatre in 1977 and 1993. She also received the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award and a lifetime achievement honour for her contribution to theatre.
She made her film debut in MT Vasudevan Nair’s Kadavu, in which she played a mother figure. Her other notable films include Valiyangadi, Dakini, Virus, Mera Naam Shaji, Ittymani: Made in China, Pada and Paappan.
Also Read: Rijohn Jose, Calicut FC’s ‘Interceptor’, dies in Kozhikode road accident; funeral on Tuesday
