Mollywood stars mourn demise of actor P Balachandran

Mollywood fraternity took to their social media pages to pay homage to actor and scriptwriter P Balachandran who passed away on Monday. The 70-year-old actor who was bedridden for about 8 months breathed his last at Amrita hospital in Kochi.

Megastar Mammootty who shared screen space with P Balachandran in several movies including ‘One’, ‘Puthan Panam’, ‘Acha Din’, ‘Immanuel’ and ‘Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus’ penned a heartfelt note on his Facebook page.

“I’m deeply saddened by the demise of P Balachandran,” wrote Mammootty.

Stars including Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kunchacko Boban and Jayasurya also paid homage to the late actor.

Actor Anoop Menon also turned emotional while paying homage to Balachandran through his Facebook page. In the post, he narrated Balachandran’s character in ‘Trivandrum Lodge’. He also lauded his acting skills and writing skills.

“And he leaves..Trivandrum lodge was a film that was unconventional for many a reason but the most paradoxical of all was the casting of Balettan as a self assumed casanova who was still searching for his next paramour.And then he played it with great relish especially  that scene where he freezes and escapes the amorous advance of dhwani with unapologetic cowardice.Me personally, love his performance as the suave and multilayered Sasi pillai in hotel California,a notch ahead.An outstanding story teller who brought us Punaradhivasam, pavithram, ulladakkam and kammattipadam,” Anoop Menon explained.

He also opened up about his friendship with Balachandran at the set.

“a human being who brought cheer and practical wisdom to wherever he went..a friend who was always at the other end of the phone with heartwarming positivity, this is a personal loss that is irreparable..cant forget those early mornings during trivandrum lodge where you would come to my hotel room from yours and leaf over the scenes of that day i was hastily penning down and give suggestions that only a writer of your calibre could do..love you baletta,” wrote Anoop Menon.

Director VK Prakash also cherished his memories with Balachandran while paying homage to him.

“Balettan... our own balettan is gone..frm school of drama to today our journey... we r all blessed to study with him and earned knowledge frm him.. fortunate to be associated with him as my writer fr so many projects.. my school of drama production athira..my ever best film punaradhivasam.. police.. and last a short film called mythili ...and brilliant actor in my so many films... wt a man .. a lovely man... balettaaaaaaaa going to miss u badly,” wrote VK Prakash.

VK Prakash worked with Balachandran in a number of movies including ‘Trivandrum Lodge’ and ‘Beautiful’.

Tovino Thomas and Dulquer Salmaan who shared screen space with Balachandran in the upcoming movies 'Minnal Murali' and 'Kurup' respectively also condoled his demise.