Popular Malayalam film actor, Narendra Prasad, died at a private hospital here on Monday (November 3, 2003) due to breathlessness, hospital sources said.

Prasad, 58, is survived by his wife and two children. Beginning his career as a stage actor at a young age, Prasad soon entered the film world and had acted in over 150 films.

He had also served as a college professor and authored a few books. Prasad was hospitalised here on October 31 after he complained of breathing problems when he was proceeding to Thiruvananthapuram to participate in a film shooting.

Prasad's last film GOURI SANKARA is yet to be released. His body has been taken to his home town, Mavelikkara for the final rites.

Prasad had worked as an English professor in Pandalam NSS college and University College , Thiruvananthapuram. In 1989, he was appointed Director of the MG University School of Letters.

ASTHIGAL POKKUNNU , a film for which he wrote the script was his debut on the silver screen after which he turned in to popular actor appearing in nearly 150 films.

During the nineties, director Shaji Kailas and script writer Ranji Panikkar cast him in a many a box office hit, beginning with THALASTHANAM boosting his film image.

Among his memorable films are: STHALATHE PRADHANA PAYYANNS, EKALAVYAN, YADAVAM, ULSAVA MELAM, ARAN THAMPOORAN, USTAAD, VAZHUNNOR, KRISHNAGUDDIYILE ORU PRANAYAGATHA and SUSANNA .

Shayama Prasad's tele-film PERUPAZHYILE KARIYILAKAYAL , was Prasad's first venture on the small screen. He went on to portray a number of well accepted characters in TV serials from then on, including MANGALYAM , which is still being aired.

Prasad formed the Natyagriaham , a drama troupe, which organised several dramas, including Bhavu Thugam Marunnu, Nishedikalae Manisilakku, Adunikathintae Madyanu, Ente Sahitya Nirupanagal , and Jadi Paranjal Enthe .

The actor had won the Sangeetha Nataka and Sahitya Akademi awards for contributions to drama. A versatile personality in the field of films, drama and literature, he had also authored several books.