Malayalam actress and veteran theatre artiste Savithri Sreedharan, best known for her memorable performance in ‘Sudani from Nigeria’, passed away on Wednesday. She was 83. The actor, who had spent more than four decades in theatre, was also seen in films including ‘Virus’ and ‘Dakini’.

Savithri became widely recognised on the big screen after playing a Muslim mother in ‘Sudani from Nigeria’ (2018). Her performance in the film earned her a Special Mention at the 66th National Film Awards, adding national recognition to a career that had largely been rooted in Malayalam theatre.

Savithri Sreedharan’s journey from theatre to cinema

Long before her film roles gained attention, Savithri had established herself as a familiar face in Kozhikode’s theatre circles. Over a career spanning more than 40 years, she worked with several theatre groups, including Kalinga, Sangamam, Stage India and Chiranthana.

Her association with professional Malayalam drama remained an important part of her artistic journey, even as she gradually became part of the film industry.

Savithri Sreedharan’s film career

Savithri made a brief appearance in MT Vasudevan Nair’s ‘Kadavu’ in 1991, marking one of her early appearances on screen. Years later, she returned to cinema with more prominent roles.

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Her performance in ‘Sudani from Nigeria’ brought her widespread attention in 2018. Directed by Zakariya Mohammed, the film received critical acclaim, with Savithri’s understated portrayal becoming one of the performances remembered from the movie.

The same year, she appeared in ‘Dakini’, followed by the 2019 medical thriller ‘Virus’. Despite her growing presence in films, theatre continued to remain a significant part of her career.

Savithri Sreedharan leaves behind a body of work that connects Malayalam theatre and cinema, with her performance in ‘Sudani from Nigeria’ remaining among her most recognised screen appearances.