Savithri Sreedharan, Malayalam Film and Theatre Actress, Dies at 78

Malayalam cinema mourns the loss of veteran actress Savithri Sreedharan, who breathed her last on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at her residence in Mankavu, Kozhikode. She was 85 years old and had been suffering from age-related ailments, having been bedridden for a considerable period. Sreedharan's illustrious career, which began on the stage and later extended to the silver screen, endeared her to generations of audiences. Krishna Mukerji Dies at 75: Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt and Bollywood Fraternity Pay Last Respects to Rani Mukerji’s Mother.

'Sudani from Nigeria' Actress Savithri Sreedharan No More

Savithri Sreedharan achieved widespread national recognition for her unforgettable portrayal of Jameela, the endearing mother of the protagonist Majeed, in the critically acclaimed 2018 Malayalam sports drama Sudani from Nigeria. Directed by Zakariya Mohammed and produced by Sameer Thahir and Shyju Khalid, the film, which also starred Soubin Shahir as Majeed and Samuel Abiola Robinson as the titular character, was released in India on March 23, 2018.

Her performance in Sudani from Nigeria garnered her immense critical acclaim and a slew of prestigious awards. She was honoured with the Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actress (shared with Sarasa Balussery) and a Special Mention at the 66th National Film Awards for Feature Films. Additionally, she received the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Malayalam and the Asianet Award for Best Supporting Actress for the same role. In a notable act of protest, Savithri Sreedharan, along with other crew members of Sudani from Nigeria, boycotted the 2019 National Film Awards ceremony to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Savithri Sreedharans Legacy Beyond the Silver Screen

Before her cinematic breakthrough, Savithri Sreedharan was a towering figure in Malayalam theatre, dedicating more than four decades to the stage. She was actively associated with prominent Kozhikode-based theatre groups, including Kalinga, Sangamam, Stage India, and Chiranthana Theatres. Her profound talent on stage was recognised with multiple accolades, including the Kerala State Award for Best Theatre Artist twice (in 1977 and 1993) and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Drama (Best Actress) in 2009.

Savithri Sreedharan made her film debut in 1991 with M.T. Vasudevan Nair's Kadavu. Following the success of Sudani from Nigeria, she appeared in several other Malayalam films, demonstrating her versatility. Her notable filmography includes:

• Kadavu (1991)
• Valiyangadi (2010)
• Dakini (2018)
• Mera Naam Shaji (2019)
• Virus (2019)
• Ittymaani: Made in China (2019)
• Pada (2022)
• Paappan (2022)
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Savithri Sreedharan's passing marks the end of an era for South Indian cinema and theatre. Her powerful and authentic performances, especially her nuanced portrayal of maternal figures, will be remembered and cherished by audiences and the industry alike. She is survived by her memories, as her husband, Sreedharan, passed away some years ago. The Malayalam film fraternity and countless fans mourn the loss of a true artiste.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 23, 2026 04:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).