Veteran actor Ravikumar Menon, who is known for his work in Tamil and Malayalam cinema, died on Friday morning at the age of 71 years. He died around 9 am at Pacific Hospital in Velacherry, Chennai, where he was treating cancer, as his son confirmed.

His mortal remains will be taken to his residence in Valasravakkam in Chennai, which will be cremated in the weekend. Fans and colleagues have taken their grief and took condolences to their family on social media.

Born in CMK Menon and actor Bharati Menon in Thrissur district of Kerala, Ravikumar made a place for himself in both Malayalam and Tamil industries.

He began his journey in cinema with the 1968 Malayalam film Lakshprabhu, and later started as a prominent actor in Ulasa Yathra (1975). In Tamil cinema, he was seen in remarkable films such as Ashirvadham and K Balachander’s Akar (1977).

In a career in five decades, Ravikumar appeared in a variety of roles – both films and leadership and support – both. His recent screen credit includes Allau Dinem Albuth Vilakum, Aratu, CBI 5: The Brain, and Vetala Visheshham.

He shared the screen with stalwarts such as Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Mohanlal and Mamuti, and worked under the direction of legends such as J Sasikumar and K Balchander.

In television, he made his mark in series such as Iyadhira Parvai (part of Marmedssam Anthology on Raj TV) and Janal: Sun TVs such as Maru Kavithagal. Recently, he portrayed the Kannadeeri Thondrinal on the Kannadery TV and Telugu show Anubandam, although his body work was largely contained in Tamil and Malayalam content.