Actor Aachi Manorama dies at 78

Chennai: Veteran actor Manorama, who regaled multitudes of filmgoers with her fine sense of humour, passed away in the city late on Saturday of cardiac arrest. She was 78. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, leaders of political parties and the film fraternity on Sunday condoled the death of film actress Manorama and hailed her illustrious career and contribution.

As condolences kept pouring in, the who's who of the Tamil film industry, including actor Rajinikanth descended at the residence of Manorama in T Nagar to pay their last respects. Manorama passed away here late last night after a heart attack at the age of 78. "The passing away of Manorama is a huge loss for the Tamil film industry and her place cannot be filled by anybody, I am deeply anguished by her death" Jayalalithaa said in her condolence message.

Reminiscing her experience of acting alongside her,she said, "The experience of acting with her is forever etched in my memory in movies like Kandan Karunai and Galatta Kalyanam." Hailing her versatility, Jayalalithaa recalled that Manorama had sung over 300 songs, including the hugely popular "Va Vathyaraey" (in movie Bommalattam in which Jayalalithaa and Manorama had acted) and "Theriyatho Nokku."

"She made a huge achievement in the annals of Indian film industry by acting in over 1,300 films and has acted with heroes of past and present generations, including Puratchi Thalaivar MGR and Sivaji Ganesan and ruled Tamil cinema for over four decades," she said. Praising Manorama's acting skills, she named movies including Bommalattam, Suriyagandhi, Pattikada Pattanama and Thillana Mohanambal which demonstrated her scintillating talent. "She was pleasant in disposition and had acted in many films alongwith Puratchi Thalaivar MGR and me," she said.

Noting that Manorama's name featured in Guinness Book of World Records for acting in over 1000 movies, she said the actress was honoured for her matchless contribution by way of several awards, including Padma Shri, and Kalaimamani of the Tamil Nadu government. "I express my condolences to the family of Manorama, her fans and the film industry and I pray to the Almighty that her soul rest in peace," she said.