Acclaimed veteran Malayalam actor Sasi Kalinga passed away earlier today (April 7) in a private hospital in Kozhikode after battling liver-related dieases over the past several years. The 59-year-old actor had made his acting debut in the Ranjith-directed Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha and left a lasting impression with his power-packed performance in the cult classic 2013 Malayalam film, Amen, as Chachappan, under Lijo Jose Pellisery's direction while also being seen in notable films like Pranchiyettan and the Saint, Indian Rupee, Adaminte Makan Abu, to name a few.

Sasi Kalinga, born as V. Chandra Kumar, and born to Kunnamangalath Chandrasekharan Nair and Sukumari Amma, the popular actor is survived by his wife, Prabhavati. As news of Sasi Kalinga's death broke, condolences started pouring in from all corners of the Malayalam film industry with celebrities and fans taking to social media to share their grief over the reputed actor's demise. Director Lijo Jose Pellissery, known for films like Amen, Angamaly Diaries, Ee.Ma.Yau and last year's Jallikkattu, took to his Facebook page to pay his tributes to Sasi Kalinga's passing away by positing a picture of the veteran actor with the caption, "Amen".