Kochi: The film industry in Kerala continues to reel under shock after the sudden death of actor and mimicry artist Kalabhavan Navas, who passed away on Friday night.

He was found unconscious at a hotel in Chottanikkara, where he had been staying while filming the movie Prakampanam.

The crew members and close friends remain devastated, recalling Navas’s cheerful presence on set just hours before his death.

“He was laughing, joking, and full of energy all day. None of us could imagine that would be his last shoot,” said a member of the Prakampanam team.

According to hotel staff, Navas returned to his room after the shoot around 6 p.m. on Friday and informed them he would check out by 8 p.m. When he failed to come out or respond to calls even by 9 p.m., staff entered the room and found him collapsed on the floor.

“The towel and soap were still on the bed. He was probably getting ready to freshen up when it happened,” one hotel staffer said.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. A post-mortem is scheduled at Kalamassery Medical College.

Navas’s colleagues remember him as a man who took care of his health and showed no signs of distress during the shoot.

"He had even told us he would see us again on the 4th. It’s hard to accept he’s gone," said a co-actor.

The news has triggered an outpouring of condolences from the film and mimicry community. Navas was widely known for his mimicry performances and stage presence. His performance in the recently released film Detective Ujjwalan earned critical praise.