By Ashraf Padanna/Thiruvananthapuram

Prominent Malayalam actor Paravoor Bharathan, who had appeared in more than 500 Indian regional films, died yesterday morning, aged 86.
The end came on the day when Kerala was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of Chemmeen, the path-breaking film in which he played a prominent role.
Family sources in the Paravoor town near Kochi where he spent his last days said he was unwell for quite some time. He died of the age-related illness that he was suffering from for nearly six years.
His wife Thankamani, a small-time theatre and film actor, was beside him when he breathed his last. He also leaves behind four children - Pradeep, Bindu, Ajayan and Madhu.
The body was kept at the SNDP Hall and Town Hall, Paravoor, in the afternoon for the public to pay homage. Several people, including film stars, paid their last respects. The mortal remains will be cremated at 10am today at his house.
“Though he appeared as a villain in most of his films, he was soft at heart. He never behaved like a villain in life,” recalled ace actor Innocent, a lawmaker and president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists.
Born to a modest family, Bharathan’s father, a toddy tapper, died when he was still young. He started acting in small plays during his school days.
Bharathan started his career as a theatre actor in the mid-1940s and made his debut in cinema with Rakthabandham (1951).
The turning point in his film career was Karutha Kai in which he played the anti-hero.
He acted with almost all reigning stars of Malayalam films since, right from Sathyan and Prem Nazir.
Some of his hit films in Malayalam, after the industry discovered the comedian and character actor in him, included Mazhavilkavadi, Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal, Doctor Pashupathy, God Father, His Highness Abdullah, In Harihar Nagar, Aniyan Bava Chetan Bava and Aniyathipravu.
He last appeared in Changathikoottam (2009) before he stopped acting in films. He mostly confined himself to his ancestral home at Vavakkad.
“I visited him with a few friends at his home two months back, and all of us were so excited and happy about the time we spent together,” said veteran actor Sarada.
“He was a wonderful human being and was always very humble and modest,” the 70-year old told a regional television.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy offered, in his message, prayers and conveyed his “condolences and thoughts” to the bereaved family of the “versatile actor”.
“(Bharathan) belonged to (a) big pool of character actors that sustained Malayalam films,” tweeted writer NS Madhavan.