Renowned theatre, movie, and TV serial actor V. P. Khalid passed away following a cardiac arrest in Vaikom on today (June 24) morning. According to sources Khalid collapsed at the shooting location of a Tovino Thomas starrer untitled film directed by Jude Antony at Vaikom, IPA, is a municipal town and a capital town of Vaikom Taluk, situated in the northwest of Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India. 

The body has been shifted to Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital for postmortem examination where they said the cause of death is a cardiac arrest. He is survived by sons Shyju Khalid, Jimshi Khalid (both cinematographers), and Khalid Rahman (film director). The industry is shocked by the demise of the skilled actor and many celebrities and fans have come out to pay tributes to the demise of the popular actor.

A native of Chullikkal in Fort Kochi, he is famously known for his portrayal of the character Sumeshettan in Mazhavil Manorama's satirical TV series 'Marimayam'. Khalid's tryst with art began during his stint as a cycle-stunt performer. It was Mathew Kothakathu who identified his talent and named him Cochin Nagesh.

The 71-year-old actor started his career as a drama artist at the age of 16 and made his debut in the movie titled "Periyar", which was directed by PJ Antony in 1973, and later acted in movies like Eanipadikkal and Ponnapuram Kotta. Khalid was also popular as a singer and dancer in his early career.