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Actor KS Premkumar, popularly known by his stage name Kochu Preman, passed away here on Saturday evening. He was 68 years old.
He breathed his last in a private hospital. The actor reportedly suffered from lung-related problems.
Although best known for his comedy roles in more than 200 films spanning two decades, Kochu Preman first showed his mettle in theatre. Born in Peyad, Thiruvananthapuram, the actor wrote his first play while still in school. Some of his early plays became popular on stage and over the radio.
One of the first milestones in his acting career was his role in a stage adaptation of NK Achary’s play Jagathy. This led him to become more active in the capital’s theater scene, working as an actor in the productions of several well-known troupes, including Kalidasa Kalakendram and Sanghachethana. Although he had a relationship with cinema in the late 1970s, his real season as a film actor began with Rajasenan’s film. Dilliwala Rajakumaran in 1997 His performances were often noted for his distinctive interview style.
He acted in several popular films of the time, Kochu Preman among others Sreekrishnapurathe Nakshathrathilakkam, Mattupetty Machan, Irattakkuttikalude Achan, Pattabhishekam, guru, Then kasippattanam, in Kalyanaraman and Thilakkam. He continued to be active in the next two decades, with performances in films, for example, in recent years Trivandrum Lodge, normal, Ozhimuri, Action Hero Biju, carbon and Priest.
He has also been present on television, acting in several popular serials on various Malayalam channels. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and several actors and filmmakers mourned the death of the actor.