Actor Santhosh Nair, 65, dies in car crash; Rahman, Suraj Venjaramoodu mourn loss
Synopsis
Veteran Malayalam actor Santhosh Nair, 65, died in a car accident near Adoor on Tuesday morning when his vehicle collided with a parcel lorry. He suffered a fatal heart attack during hospital treatment. Fellow actors Rahman and Suraj Venjaramoodu have mourned the loss, recalling decades of shared screen time and off-screen friendships that shaped Malayalam cinema.
Key Takeaways
Actor Santhosh Nair , aged 65 , died on Tuesday following a car accident near Adoor , Pathanamthitta district .
The accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on the MC Road when his car collided with a parcel lorry.
Nair suffered a heart attack during hospital treatment and could not be revived.
His wife, Shubhashree , and the lorry driver sustained injuries and are under medical care.
Actors Rahman and Suraj Venjaramoodu have posted tributes, recalling their on-screen and off-screen bonds with Nair .
Malayalam actor Santhosh Nair, aged 65, died on Tuesday following a car accident near Adoor in Pathanamthitta district. The collision occurred around 6:30 a.m. on the MC Road when the vehicle he was travelling in with his wife lost control and struck a parcel lorry. He was taken to a nearby hospital but succumbed to a heart attack during treatment. His wife, Shubhashree, and the lorry driver sustained injuries and remain under medical observation.
Industry mourns veteran actor
Fellow Malayalam actors have paid tribute to Nair's decades-long career in cinema. Actor Rahman posted on Instagram: "Deeply saddened and shocked to hear about the untimely passing of my friend Santosh Nair in a tragic car accident. We practically grew up together in the film industry, sharing screen space in many films—often as rivals on screen." Rahman recalled their off-screen camaraderie, describing moments shared in hotel rooms and the bond that deepened after filming wrapped.
Shared memories and laughter
Actor Suraj Venjaramoodu also mourned Nair's passing, posting in Malayalam on Instagram. Venjaramoodu stated he was devastated upon learning the news and recalled that Nair always had a way of making those around him laugh. He noted that their last film together, Mohiniyattam, was filled with joyful moments on set, and bid farewell to the late actor with deep sadness.
A veteran's legacy
Nair's passing marks the end of a career spanning several decades in Malayalam cinema. The actor was known for collaborative work with peers and had earned affection across the industry for his professionalism and warmth. His death has sent shockwaves through the Malayalam film community, with tributes continuing to pour in from colleagues and admirers who worked alongside him throughout his career.
Accident details
The accident occurred on the MC Road near Enathu, Adoor, when Nair's car collided with a parcel lorry. The impact caused him to suffer a fatal heart attack, despite immediate hospitalisation. Investigations into the circumstances of the collision are ongoing.
Point of View
Where careers built over decades can end in a moment of lost control on a highway. The outpouring of tributes from Rahman and Suraj Venjaramoodu reflects not just professional respect but genuine human connection—a reminder that Malayalam cinema, despite its competitive pressures, remains a tightly knit community where bonds forged on set often outlast the films themselves.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Santhosh Nair and what was his career?
Santhosh Nair was a veteran Malayalam actor aged 65 who had worked in the film industry for several decades. He was known for collaborative work with peers and had appeared alongside actors like Rahman and Suraj Venjaramoodu in multiple films.
When and where did the accident occur?
The accident occurred on Tuesday around 6:30 a.m. on the MC Road near Enathu, Adoor, in Pathanamthitta district. Nair's car collided with a parcel lorry, causing him to suffer a fatal heart attack during hospital treatment.
How did actor Rahman pay tribute to Santhosh Nair?
Rahman posted on Instagram recalling their decades of shared screen time and off-screen friendship. He described how they grew up together in the film industry, often playing rivals on screen, and cherished moments spent together after filming wrapped.
What did Suraj Venjaramoodu say about Santhosh Nair?
Suraj Venjaramoodu posted in Malayalam on Instagram, stating he was devastated by the news. He recalled that Nair always made people laugh and that their last film together, Mohiniyattam, was filled with joyful moments on set.
Were there other casualties or injuries in the accident?
Santhosh Nair's wife, Shubhashree, and the parcel lorry driver sustained injuries in the collision and remain under medical care.
