KOZHIKODE: Veteran actor Mamukkoya (76) passed away on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode. On April 24, Mamukkoya was admitted to a hospital in Vandoor after he collapsed during the inauguration event of All India Sevens football in Malappuram's Kalikavu Poongad. He was later shifted to the hospital in Kozhikode after he lost consciousness due to brain haemorrhage. According to sources, Mamukkoya's condition worsened a while ago and he succumbed to death.

Mamukkoya was born on July 5, 1946, in Kozhikode. He was active in drama even while he was a student. Later, he entered cinema through drama. Mamukkoya's first film was 'Anyarude Bhoomi'. He became popular among the Malayali audience through his performance in the film 'Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam' directed by Sibi Malayil. He then went on to make the audience burst out in laughter for several decades through his outstanding comic timing and dialogue delivery.

Mamukkoya's famous dialogue 'Balakrishna...' from the film Ramji Rao Speaking is still celebrated by youngsters. Many of his 'thug dialogues' are still trending on social media pages. Some of his famous characters are Gafoor in 'Nadodikkattu', Hamsakkoya in 'Ramji Rao Speaking', AK Pothuval in 'Sandesham', Kunhikhadar in 'Mazhavilkkavadi', Hamsa in 'Varavelppu', Keeleri Achu in 'Kankettu', Jamal in 'His Highness Abdulla', Kuruppu in 'Megham', Irumbu Abdulla in 'Aadu 2', Moosa Khalid in 'Kuruthi' and Doctor Narayanan in 'Minnal Murali'.

Mamukkoya was known for his Kozhikode dialect and natural humour. It is said that legendary writer Vaikom Muhammad Basheer had once recommended Mamukkoya for a role in a film.