&nbsp;Savithri Sreedharan, a renowned Malayalam actor and theatre artist, has passed away at the age of 85. Best known for her performance as Jameela in Sudani from Nigeria, she took her last breath on September 23. Savithri was reportedly suffering from age-related ailments and was bedridden for some time.<h2>Why her role in Sudani from Nigeria remains special</h2>Helmed by Zakariya Mohammed, Sudani from Nigeria showed the actress as Jameela, popularly remembered as Umma. She received widespread appreciation for her understated performance.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/national-film-awards-2026-anant-nag-mammootty-yami-gautam-randeep-hooda-and-other-key-winners-1790072020862">National Film Awards 2026: Anant Nag to Mammootty- List of key winners</a>&nbsp;The film also earned her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actress in 2019. She was also awarded a Special Mention at the 66th National Film Awards.<h2>About Savithri Sreedharan</h2>Sreedharan made her film debut with M T Vasudevan Nair's Kadavu in 1991. But before featuring on the big screen, the actress worked in theatre for years. According to reports, she began acting on stage at a young age and spent more than four decades on the stage.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/national-film-awards-2026-anant-nag-conferred-with-dadasaheb-phalke-award-honoured-with-standing-ovation-1790079823675">Anant Nag conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Award, says, 'I grew up in an ashram'</a>&nbsp;Some of her biggest theatre work includes an association with K T Mohammed's Kalinga Theatre, Chiranthana, Sangamam and Stage India. She also received recognition from the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi for her work.&nbsp;Her film credits include Dakini, Virus, Ittymaani: Made in China, Mera Naam Shaji, Pada and Paappan.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/is-prabhas-fauzi-getting-postponed-producer-addresses-delay-says-i-am-sorry-that-we-are-1790085752796">Is Prabhas' Fauzi getting postponed? Producer addresses delay</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">പ്രശസ്ത നാടക-ചലച്ചിത്ര താരം സാവിത്രി ശ്രീധരന്റെ നിര്യാണത്തിൽ അഗാധമായ ദുഃഖം രേഖപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു. പതിറ്റാണ്ടുകളോളം നാടകവേദിയെ സമ്പന്നമാക്കിയ അവർ, &#39;സുഡാനി ഫ്രം നൈജീരിയ&#39; ഉൾപ്പെടെയുള്ള ചിത്രങ്ങളിലൂടെ മലയാളികളുടെ ഹൃദയത്തിൽ ഇടം നേടി. സ്വാഭാവികമായ അഭിനയത്തിലൂടെ പ്രേക്ഷകരെ വിസ്മയിപ്പിച്ച… <a href="https://t.co/0GEUfWaxHP">pic.twitter.com/0GEUfWaxHP</a>&mdash; Chief Minister, Keralam (@CMOkeralam) <a href="https://x.com/CMOkeralam/status/2102697465422241958?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/rani-mukerji-s-mother-krishna-mukerji-passes-away-karan-johar-jaideep-ahlawat-visit-actress-1790082964309">Rani Mukerji's mother Krishna Mukerji passes away; Karan Johar, Jaideep Ahlawat visit actress</a><h2>Tributes pour in</h2>Following her death, Keralam Agriculture Minister T Siddique took to social media to pay tribute. "The demise of this beloved artiste, who left her own distinctive mark on both theatre and cinema, is an irreparable loss to the Malayalam art world. Heartfelt tributes," he wrote on Facebook.&nbsp;Chief Minister of Keralam, V. D. Satheesan, also paid tribute to the actress, writing, “Expressing deep grief over the demise of the renowned theatre and film actress, Savithri Sreedharan. Having enriched the theatre stage for decades, she won a place in the hearts of Malayalis through films including 'Sudani from Nigeria'. She was an artist who amazed the audience with her natural acting. Sharing the grief of her family members and colleagues on the passing of Savithri Sreedharan.” &nbsp;

Veteran actor and theatre artist Savithri Sreedharan died on Wednesday. She was best known for playing Jameela in Sudani from Nigeria. 

Savithri Sreedharan, a renowned Malayalam actor and theatre artist, has passed away at the age of 85. Best known for her performance as Jameela in Sudani from Nigeria, she took her last breath on September 23. Savithri was reportedly suffering from age-related ailments and was bedridden for some time. Why her role in Sudani from Nigeria remains special Helmed by Zakariya Mohammed, Sudani from Nigeria showed the actress as Jameela, popularly remembered as Umma. She received widespread appreciation for her understated performance. Also Read: National Film Awards 2026: Anant Nag to Mammootty- List of key winners The film also earned her the Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actress in 2019. She was also awarded a Special Mention at the 66th National Film Awards. About Savithri Sreedharan Sreedharan made her film debut with M T Vasudevan Nair's Kadavu in 1991. But before featuring on the big screen, the actress worked in theatre for years. According to reports, she began acting on stage at a young age and spent more than four decades on the stage. Also Read: Anant Nag conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke Award, says, 'I grew up in an ashram' Some of her biggest theatre work includes an association with K T Mohammed's Kalinga Theatre, Chiranthana, Sangamam and Stage India. She also received recognition from the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi for her work. Her film credits include Dakini, Virus, Ittymaani: Made in China, Mera Naam Shaji, Pada and Paappan. Also Read: Is Prabhas' Fauzi getting postponed? Producer addresses delay

Veteran actor and theatre artist Savithri Sreedharan died on Wednesday. She was best known for playing Jameela in Sudani from Nigeria.&nbsp;

National Award-winning Malayalam actor Savithri Sreedharan passes away at 85

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National Award-winning Malayalam actor Savithri Sreedharan passes away at 85