KANNUR: Renowned actor Unnikrishnan Namboothiri has passed away in a private hospital in Payyannur. He was 98 years old. He was admitted to a private hospital in Payyanur and later to a private hospital in Kannur after contracting pneumonia weeks ago. At the time, he tested negative for COVID-19. After being cured of pneumonia, he returned home and was at rest.

Unnikrishnan Namboothiri of Pulleri Vadhyar Illam is the father-in-law of lyricist and actor Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. He has played the role of grandfather in many Malayalam and Tamil films. Unnikrishnan Namboothiri was introduced to cinema by Jayaraj in 1996 through 'Desadanam'. His performance in the film led to him portraying many more roles. He acted in Malayalam films like Kaliyattam, Kaikkudanna Nilav, Kalyanaraman, Rappakal, Pokkiriraja, Mayamohini and in Tamil films Kandukondain Kandukondain, Pammal K Sambandham and Chandramukhi.