KOCHI: Noted Malayalam film actor and theatre personality Rajan P Dev died after a brief illness at a private hospital here this morning. He was 58. Dev, a diabetic patient, was suffering from liver-related illness and the end came at 6.35 am, hospital sources said.

He had undergone an eye operation for correcting his losing eye sight due to acute diabetes a few months back. His mortal remains would be kept at Ernakulam Town Hall for the public to pay their last respects.

Dev, who came to films after excelling in theatre through stellar performances, had essayed numerous roles in close to 200 Malayalam, Tamil, Kanada and Telugu films and directed two Malayalam films.

His body will be cremated at 11 am tomorrow morning in Karukutty.

He leaves behind his wife Shanthamma and children Ashamma, Jibil Raj and sister Rani.

Born to S J Dev and Kutty Amma on May 20, 1954 in Cherthala, Rajan P Dev came to the film field through theatre. He had owned a drama troupe named Jubilee Theatre.

His first Malayalam film was Sancharai. In his last Malayalam film Pattanathil Bhootham, he essayed the role of a villain circus manager.

He had obtained the state award for the best drama actor in 1984 and 1986. He came into limelight for his characterization of Kochu Vava in the drama Kattukuthira, which was later made into the Malayalam film as Kattukuthira, with Thilakan as Kochu Vava.