Dev also immortalised the character Kochu Vava in the hit play 'Kattukuthira' that was staged over a thousand times across Kerala.

However, when the drama was made into a film with the same name, the role was played by another veteran actor Thilakan.

'Malayalam films will be poorer with Dev's death but his characters will live for a long time,' Thilakan told IANS.

Dev's last film was 'Ee Patanathil Bhootham', starring superstar Mammootty, which is currently running in theatres.