Veteran Malayalam actor Mamukkoya, who was admitted to a hospital after suffering a heart attack, has passed away. The actor collapsed during the inauguration of a football tournament at Wandoor in Malappuram district of Kerala, where he was presiding as the chief guest. He was later moved to a private hospital in Kozhikode. It was said that the veteran actor was in stable condition and responding to the treatment. However, he reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest followed by a hemorrhage, and passed away on Wednesday afternoon at the age of 76.

In a career spanning over four decades, Mamukkoya acted in more than 450 Malayalam films and was the first winner of the State award for best comedian in Malayalam cinema. Mamukkoya started his career as a theatre actor. He got his chance in the film industry through Anyarude Bhoomi (1979). His second entry to Malayalam cinema was through S. Konnanatt’s Surumaitta Kannukal. Mamukkoya appeared in Siby Malayil’s Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam, written by Sreenivasan. In the film, he played an Arabic teacher. He then landed a role in Gandhinagar Second Street, which was also written by Sreenivasan, hie first notable role.

It was in the director’s Nadodikattu (1987) that he played the character of Gafoor, which found immense fame. He also acted in Ramji Rao Speaking, Vadakku Nokkiyanthram, Thalayanamanthram, Sandesham and His Highness Abdulla. Apart from films, Mamukkoya also had a keen interest in literature and theatre. He is also known for voicing strong opinions on religion and politics. He has won Kerala State Award for the films 2004 Perumazhakkalam and Innathe Chintha Vishayam. He was recently seen in the films Payali, Theerpu, and Peace. The Malayalam actor also played a role in Vikram’s Tamil film Cobra. Minnal Murali, Ustad Hotel, and Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham are other notable films in his career. Mamukkoya was married to Suhara. The couple had four children; Muhammed Nisar, Shahitha, Nadiya and Abdul Rasheed.He was residing in Kozhikode near Beypore.