Cinema VinesVeteran Telugu actor Pavala Shyamala, known for her comic roles in films such as Golimaar, Khadgam, and Varsham, died on July 28, 2024, after suffering a cardiac arrest while receiving treatment at Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad. The 75‑year‑old actress had been battling serious health problems for some time, according to a statement released by the hospital’s spokesperson. Doctors confirmed that she collapsed at 1:52 a.m. and could not be revived, and her body was placed in the hospital mortuary pending arrangements for her final rites.
Shyamala’s decline had been marked by financial and medical hardships. In May, she was turned away from a hospital because of insufficient funds and was found on the streets by police. Producer and Film Development Corporation chairman Dil Raju and his team intervened, arranging for her to receive care at RK Foundation after the hospital had sent her home in a taxi. Earlier in December 2025, the actor and her daughter were reportedly asked to leave a facility where they were staying, and police rescued them, placing them in a charitable home. In 2021, filmmakers Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK urged fans to support the veteran, and several prominent actors—including Sai Durga Tej, Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, and Allu Arjun—offered assistance.
Shyamala’s career spanned more than three decades, with her last major credited appearance in the 2019 film Mathu Vadalara. Her performances have also found new life online, with some scenes becoming popular memes. While her death marks a loss for Tollywood, the circumstances surrounding her final days highlight ongoing issues of healthcare access and financial vulnerability among aging artists in the industry.
