Kollam: Noted actor Kundara Johny, known for his impactful portrayal of negative characters in Malayalam films, died at a private hospital here on Tuesday, film industry sources said. He was 71.

He was rushed to the hospital after suffering a heart attack on Tuesday evening, the FEFKA Directors' Union said in a Facebook post. He breathed his last around 9.30 pm. 

Johny, son of late Joseph and Catherine, made his debut in Malayalam film industry through ‘Nithya Vasantham’ in 1979. He soon earned acclaim for essaying negative roles, notably in blockbusters 'Kireedam' and 'Chenkol'.

Over a four-decade-long career, Johny acted in more than 500 films including ‘Meen’, ‘Parankimala’, ‘Karimpana’, ‘Godfather’, ‘Nadodikattu’, ‘Bharathchandran IPS’, ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha’, 'Kutty Srank', among others. Apart from Malayalam, he has also featured in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada movies and certain television serials too. 

'Meppadiyan', which released in 2022, was his last movie. Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal condoled the demise of the actor. 

His mortal remains will be kept for public viewing at Kadappakada Sports Club on Wednesday from 10 am till 12 pm. The funeral will take place at St Antony’s Church cemetery on Thursday.

He is survived by his wife Stella and children Ashima and Aarav. 

With PTI inputs