Tamil actor Abhinay, known for his memorable debut alongside Dhanush in ‘Thulluvadho Illamai’, passed away at his residence in Kodambakkam. He was just 44 years old.
The actor had been quietly battling liver-related health issues for several years. Despite his illness, Abhinay continued to work, driven by financial need. According to media reports, his friends in the film industry including Dhanush and comedian KPY Bala had extended financial support for his medical treatment in the past.
Abhinay first came into the spotlight with ‘Thulluvadho Illamai’. This film told the story of six high school students navigating the challenges of adolescence. Written by Selvaraghavan and directed by Kasthuri Raja, the film became a major commercial hit. It launched Dhanush’s career and also earned recognition for Abhinay’s performance.
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Following his debut, Abhinay continued as an actor in both Tamil and Malayalam films until 2014. However ongoing health struggles forced him to step back from acting for several years. But he remained in connection with the film industry as a dubbing artiste.
This year Abhinay made a brief but heartfelt comeback with the Tamil film ‘Game of Loans’ directed by Abhishek Leslie. The movie explored the hardships faced by people dealing with loans in modern times and featured actors Nivas Adithan, Ester Noronha, and Athvik Jalandhar. The film’s music was composed by Joe Costa, with Sabari handling cinematography, Pradeep Jenifer as editor, and Sajan overseeing art direction. Abhinay had actively participated in the film’s promotions, even attending a press conference in October.
Sources confirmed that Abhinay passed away around 4:00 am on Monday. His mortal remains will be kept at his residence in Kodambakkam, allowing fans and well-wishers to pay their respects.