The accident took place on Tuesday morning when his car collided with an oncoming truck in Edo, Kerala.

His wife was travelling with him and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital with serious injuries.

According to eyewitnesses and local sources, Santhosh K. Nair was rushed to a private hospital after the crash, where he later died due to injuries and a heart attack.

The news of his death has triggered widespread condolences from across the Malayalam film industry, with fans expressing grief over the sudden loss.

Santhosh K. Nair began his acting career with the film Ithu Aarti Katha in 1982 and went on to appear in more than 100 films over his long career.

He was particularly known for his negative and comic roles.

He also worked extensively in television, building a strong presence on the small screen alongside his film career.

His death is being described by industry circles as a major loss to Malayalam cinema, with colleagues saying the void left by his passing will be difficult to fill.