Veteran Malayalam actress Komala Menon, also known as Neyyattinkara Komalam, passed away at the age of 96 on October 17. She was receiving treatment for heart-related issues in Parassala. She was the heroine of the legend Prem Nazir’s first film ‘Marumakal’ which released in the year 1952. Komala made her acting debut with the 1951 film ‘Vanamala’ which was directed by G. Vishwanath. Her other notable films include Newspaper Boy, Aatmasanthi etc.
Komalam starred opposite MGR’s brother MG Chakrapani in the Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam film ‘Sandehi’ directed by F Nagoor. Komalam’s acting career came to a halt midway due to opposition from the conservative society of the time. She tried to make a comeback later on, but could not be successful.
According to a news report on Manorama Online, the veteran actress was under treatment for her heart-related issues at a hospital in Parassala. Her death is reported to have happened on Thursday, 17 October.
For the uninitiated, she was just 16 years old when she debuted in Vanamala. Prem Nazir was 22 years old at that point in time.
The Malayalam industry bids adieu to one of the earliest leading ladies of Mollywood.
RIP!!