Mohanlal's troupe member dies in accident

Ranjith, a native of Chottanikkara, Ernakulum and an artist in the drama troupe of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and actor Mukesh was killed and 14 others injured in a bus accident at Pennagaram junction, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu.

The troupe was returning to Kerala after staging the Sanskrit play 'Chayamukhi' in Bangalore in which Mohanlal enacted the lead role, police said. While Mohanlal and Mukesh stayed back in Bangalore after the play on the night of January 25, other troupe members returned in a Volvo bus.

Ranjith, a Kathakali performer who joined the troupe recently, was a student of Kerala Kalamandalam, famous school for classical arts in the state. The injured, including Aparna Nair (lead actress in the play), were admitted to a local hospital. Chayamukhi is produced by Kalidas Visual Magic, a production house promoted by Mohanlal.