Veteran actor Thilakan, 74, is in a critical condition after suffering two heart attacks, said doctors treating him on Saturday. He has since been put on the ventilator.

The actor from Kerala has been part of nearly 300 films, most of them in Malayalam.

Beginning his career in the fifties, he became famous with his 1979 film "Ulkadal". His latest film, "Ustad Hotel", is currently running in theatres.

Thilakan was in news for taking on the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes, leading to his ouster in 2010.

TOI