Malayalam filmmaker Nayana Sooryan found dead at her Thiruvananthapuram residence

A proponent of parallel cinema, Nayana marked her space in the industry as an independent director through ‘Crossword’, a 2017 anthology in which she did the sequel ‘Pakshikalude Mananam’ with actors Vijay Babu and Mythili in the lead role.

Picture: Nayana Sooryan (Facebook page)

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): Young Malayalam filmmaker Nayana Sooryan, who had assisted several acclaimed directors in the industry, was found dead at her residence here, police said on Monday. The 28-year-old was found dead in her house at Althara near Vellayambala. Nayana was found dead at her apartment on Sunday, but the exact cause of her death would be ascertained only after receiving the autopsy report, they said. However, the police indicated that she had been under treatment for diabetes for some time. As repeated calls to her mobile phone went unanswered, Nayana’s mother got suspicious and informed her friends, who rushed to her apartment. Despite repeated banging on the main door of the house, there was no response, following which they used a spare key to open it and found her lying dead in the bedroom, they added. Reports say Nayana was reportedly declared dead on admission. Her body was brought from the Medical College to the Manaveeyam Lane here for public homage. A proponent of parallel cinema, Nayana marked her space in the industry as an independent director through ‘Crossword’, a 2017 anthology in which she did the sequel ‘Pakshikalude Mananam’ with actors Vijay Babu and Mythili in the lead role. Before that, she had worked as an associate director under several leading filmmakers, including late Lenin Rajendran, Kamal, Jeethu Joseph and Dr Biju. In her decade long career in the Malayalam film industry, Nayana also directed several advertisements and stage shows in and outside the country. Sources close to her said the sudden demise of Rajendran, who passed away on January 14 this year following liver ailments, also deeply affected Nayana. She had made her debut in the tinsel town assisting Rajendran. Hailing from Karunagappally in Kollam district, Nayana is survived by father Dinesan, mother Sheela and two siblings. (With additional information from PTI)