Veteran actor Thilakan, passed away earlier this morning at a private hospital in Trivandrum. He was 74. Though he was a Malayalam actor, Thilakan was very popular in Tollywood and Kollywood too.

The actor, who was taken care by two sons and daughters, was undergoing treatment for almost a month while he was in the hospital.

Several personas that he portrayed on the silver screen was a reflection of his bold and abrasive real life character.

He has acted in more than 200 Malayalam films in his career that spanned over 50 years. Thilakan was awarded the National Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Hrithubhedam' in the year 1988.

Beginning his career in the 1950s, he became famous with his 1979 film 'Ulkadal'. His latest film was 'Ustad Hotel'.