Sudani from Nigeria actor Savithri Sreedharan dies at 78

Renowned Malayalam actor Savithri Sreedharan, celebrated for her roles in various films including Sudani from Nigeria, passed away at her residence in Kozhikkode, Kerala, on September 23, 2026, at the age of 78. Ms. Sreedharan had been bedridden for an extended period and succumbed to age-related ailments. Her portrayal of Jameela, the mother of the titular character, in Sudani from Nigeria, earned her critical acclaim and she was honored with the Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actress and a Special Jury Mention at the 66th National Film Awards.

In addition to her film career, Ms. Sreedharan had a prolific theatre career spanning nearly five decades, where she made her stage debut with Karutha Velicham and received prestigious awards such as the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s award for Best Actress and the State government’s award for the Best Theatre Actress for her performance in the play Aniyara.

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