Kochi: Notable actress and associate director Ambika Rao passed away on Monday night. She suffered from kidney-related ailments and was undergoing treatment for a long time.

Ambika gained popularity through her role in 'Kumbalangi Nights', as the mother of Baby Mol (Anna Ben) and Simmy (Grace Antony).

She has acted in movies like ‘Meesha Madhavan’, ‘Anuraga Karikin Vellam’, ‘Thamasha’ and Virus. She has also worked as an assistant director for films including ‘Salt and Pepper’, ‘Thommanum Makkalum’,  ‘Rajamanikyam’ and ‘Vellinkashatram’.

She was a part of the Malayalam film industry for the past 20 years.