Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 30: Noted Malayalam actress R Subbalakshmi died at a private hospital here on Thursday night, film industry sources said.
She was 87.
Subbalakshmi, also a Carnatic musician and a painter, was one of the distinguished supporting actresses in Malayalam cinema, often portraying grandmotherly roles with impressive delicacy and skill.
She was widely recognised for her roles in Malayalam movies, including popular films like Kalyanaraman (2002), Pandippada (2005), and Nandanam (2002).
The late actress leaves behind a lasting legacy, not only for her on-screen presence but also as the mother of Thara Kalyan, a fellow actress in Malayalam films.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Malayalam film actor Dileep condoled her demise.
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Belagavi: The Home Department has advised motorists to stay alert while travelling on national and state highways, warning that gangs involved in robbery and extortion have been active in several stretches. It said people should be extra cautious if anyone tries to stop their vehicle in isolated areas.
Replying to an unstarred question on Thursday, the department said Karnataka has recorded 403 highway robbery cases in the past three years. According to the data, national highways saw 81 extortion and 23 robbery cases in 2023, followed by 66 extortion and 16 robbery cases in 2024. Until November 15 this year, 51 extortion and 14 robbery cases have been reported.
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On state highways, 39 extortion and 17 robberies were reported in 2023, while 2024 saw 35 extortion and 22 robbery cases. In 2025 so far, 20 extortion and 19 robbery cases have taken place. The department noted that curbing highway robberies remains a major challenge for the police.
To tackle the issue, police stations have been directed to set up regular checkpoints on stretches of highways passing through their limits. Suspicious individuals and vehicles are being checked. Two-wheelers have been allocated to every station for night patrol, and staff have been instructed to conduct night rounds using vehicles fitted with sirens and red lights.
