Kollam (Kerala) | Noted Malayalam actor T P Madhavan died at a private hospital here on Wednesday, film industry sources said. He was 88.

Madhavan's death occurred while he was being treated at the hospital for various ailments.

He had been residing at Gandhi Bhavan in Pathanapuram for the past eight years.

Starting his film career after the age of 40, Madhavan appeared in over 600 Malayalam films.

He was the first general secretary of the Malayalam film actors' association, AMMA.

Madhavan made his film debut in 1975 when actor Madhu gave him his first break.

In later years, he faced difficult times, living in a lodge in Thiruvananthapuram before a serial director took him to Gandhi Bhavan. Afterwards he made a few more appearances in serials and films. In recent years, Madhavan has been suffering from age-related ailments.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his condolences on the demise of Madhavan.

He said that Madhavan was a talented actor who portrayed a variety of characters in over 600 films.

The chief minister recalled that even during his final years at Gandhi Bhavan in Pathanapuram, Madhavan continued to act in television serials.