Malayalam film actor and director E. A. Rajendran died on Thursday, 26 March 2026, at the age of 71 at his residence in Kollam, Kerala, after undergoing treatment for age-related illnesses.
According to reports, Rajendran had been receiving treatment for various health-related issues for some time. He is survived by his wife, Sandhya Rajendran. His funeral will be held on 27 March at his native place, Thrittallur in Thrissur district.
E. A. Rajendran was born in Thrittallur in Kerala’s Thrissur district. He developed an interest in acting from a young age and began participating in plays during his school years, laying the foundation for his acting career. After completing his education, he enrolled at the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, where he received formal training in acting. He also pursued a television-related course at the Film and Television Institute in Pune.
Rajendran acted in more than 60 films during his career and was known for his villain and supporting roles. He began his film career with director V. R. Gopinath’s film “Greeshmam.” He went on to appear in films including “Kaliyattam,” “Pranayavarnangal,” “Daya,” and “Pattabhishekam.” During his career, he experienced a period when opportunities in films declined, but later returned and re-established himself through his performances.
Apart from films, Rajendran remained active in theatre, directing several plays and performing on stage. His work as a director received critical appreciation. He also held roles in administrative and cultural fields and served as Chairman of the Kerala State Horticulture Corporation. He was related to Malayalam actor Mukesh.
