The man who literally walked through decades of Tamil and Malayalam cinema with pure grace and talent has bid us goodbye. Ravikumar Menon, 71, the actor who was once the romantic hero, the emotional core, and the solid screen presence of hundreds of films, has sadly passed away.

The veteran actor, who starred in cult favourites like Avargal, Ullasayaathra, and Pagalil Oru Iravu, took his last breath at Prashanth Hospital in Velachery, Chennai. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by his son. While the exact cause of his demise is still awaited, fans are already mourning the end of a cinematic era.

Ravikumar Menon passed away at 71. | Credit: X

Born in Thiruvananthapuram to a literal filmi family—his dad was producer K M K Menon and his mother was actor Bharathi Menon—Ravikumar was practically raised on celluloid. His big break in the Malayalam industry came with Lakshyaprabhu in 1968, but it was the dreamy hero role in Ullasa Yathra (1975) that made him a household name.

And then came his Tamil debut—Avargal (1977)—directed by none other than the iconic K Balachander. Imagine acting alongside Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Sujatha in your first Tamil outing? Yep, that is the stuff of cinematic dreams.

Over the years, Ravikumar delivered back-to-back bangers. Amma, Lisa, Avalude Ravukal, Sarppam, Angadi, Madrasile Mon—each film was a feather in his already-crowded cap. He even made sure to stay relevant, appearing in newer projects like Aarattu with Mohanlal and CBI 5: The Brain with Mammootty.

And then there was TV. He jumped onto the small screen in 1997 with the cult thriller Marmadesam series (Iyandhira Paravai), and later starred in K Balachander’s Jannal: Marabu Kavithaigal for Sun TV. His most recent role? A touching cameo in Kannedhirey Thondrinal on Kalaignar TV.

The details around his final rites and surviving family are still awaited.