Telugu actor Pavala Shyamala dies at 75, weeks after being abandoned on streets
Veteran Telugu actor Pavala Shyamala, aged 75, died after suffering a cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment in Hyderabad. Her death follows weeks of concern over her illness, financial hardship and reported denial of care.
Veteran Telugu actor Pavala Shyamala died after suffering a massive heart attack while undergoing treatment at Hyderabad's Osmania General Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, July 28. She was 75. The actor had been battling age-related health complications for some time. Her death comes just weeks after she made headlines when she was found abandoned on the streets after allegedly being turned away from a private hospital due to a lack of funds.
A spokesperson confirmed the actor's death in a statement.
"She had been suffering from severe health issues for some time and died while undergoing treatment at Osmania Hospital in Hyderabad. Doctors officially confirmed that she died after suffering a massive heart attack at 1:52 am on Tuesday," the statement read.
Her body has been shifted to the hospital mortuary. Details regarding her last rites are yet to be announced.
Shyamala, who spent over three decades as a character actor in Telugu cinema, had been facing severe financial hardship in recent years. Besides struggling with age-related ailments, she was also caring for her daughter, who reportedly has health issues.
In May, the veteran actor was allegedly denied treatment at a private hospital because she could not afford the expenses. She was reportedly sent away in a taxi, and the driver later dropped her at a junction in the middle of the night. Passersby alerted the police after noticing her condition. She was subsequently shifted to the RK Foundation, where she received immediate care.
Producer and Film Development Corporation chairman Dil Raju intervened after learning about the incident. Along with his team, he co-ordinated with doctors and ensured that Shyamala received proper medical treatment.
This was not the first time the actor had found herself in distress.
In December 2025, Shyamala and her daughter were reportedly asked to vacate the facility where they had been staying. Police intervened after they were allegedly on the verge of taking an extreme step and shifted them to a charitable home.
Her plight had earlier prompted several members of the Telugu film industry to extend financial assistance. In 2021, filmmaker duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, popularly known as Raj & DK, appealed to the public to support the veteran actor. Over the years, stars including Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Sai Durgha Tej and Allu Arjun also came forward to help her.
Who is Pavala Shyamala?
Pavala Shyamala was a familiar face in Telugu cinema, best known for her comic and supporting roles in films such as Golimaar, Khadgam, Andhrawala and Varsham. During a career spanning more than three decades, she shared screen space with stars including Chiranjeevi, Prabhas, Jr NTR and Allu Arjun.
Her last major credited appearance came in Mathu Vadalara (2019). In recent years, several of her scenes found renewed popularity on social media as memes, introducing her work to a younger generation of viewers.
Veteran Telugu actor Pavala Shyamala died after suffering a massive heart attack while undergoing treatment at Hyderabad's Osmania General Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, July 28. She was 75. The actor had been battling age-related health complications for some time. Her death comes just weeks after she made headlines when she was found abandoned on the streets after allegedly being turned away from a private hospital due to a lack of funds.
A spokesperson confirmed the actor's death in a statement.
"She had been suffering from severe health issues for some time and died while undergoing treatment at Osmania Hospital in Hyderabad. Doctors officially confirmed that she died after suffering a massive heart attack at 1:52 am on Tuesday," the statement read.
Her body has been shifted to the hospital mortuary. Details regarding her last rites are yet to be announced.
Shyamala, who spent over three decades as a character actor in Telugu cinema, had been facing severe financial hardship in recent years. Besides struggling with age-related ailments, she was also caring for her daughter, who reportedly has health issues.
In May, the veteran actor was allegedly denied treatment at a private hospital because she could not afford the expenses. She was reportedly sent away in a taxi, and the driver later dropped her at a junction in the middle of the night. Passersby alerted the police after noticing her condition. She was subsequently shifted to the RK Foundation, where she received immediate care.
Producer and Film Development Corporation chairman Dil Raju intervened after learning about the incident. Along with his team, he co-ordinated with doctors and ensured that Shyamala received proper medical treatment.
This was not the first time the actor had found herself in distress.
In December 2025, Shyamala and her daughter were reportedly asked to vacate the facility where they had been staying. Police intervened after they were allegedly on the verge of taking an extreme step and shifted them to a charitable home.
Her plight had earlier prompted several members of the Telugu film industry to extend financial assistance. In 2021, filmmaker duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, popularly known as Raj & DK, appealed to the public to support the veteran actor. Over the years, stars including Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Sai Durgha Tej and Allu Arjun also came forward to help her.
Who is Pavala Shyamala?
Pavala Shyamala was a familiar face in Telugu cinema, best known for her comic and supporting roles in films such as Golimaar, Khadgam, Andhrawala and Varsham. During a career spanning more than three decades, she shared screen space with stars including Chiranjeevi, Prabhas, Jr NTR and Allu Arjun.
Her last major credited appearance came in Mathu Vadalara (2019). In recent years, several of her scenes found renewed popularity on social media as memes, introducing her work to a younger generation of viewers.
Veteran Telugu actor Pavala Shyamala died after suffering a massive heart attack while undergoing treatment at Hyderabad's Osmania General Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, July 28. She was 75. The actor had been battling age-related health complications for some time. Her death comes just weeks after she made headlines when she was found abandoned on the streets after allegedly being turned away from a private hospital due to a lack of funds.
A spokesperson confirmed the actor's death in a statement.
"She had been suffering from severe health issues for some time and died while undergoing treatment at Osmania Hospital in Hyderabad. Doctors officially confirmed that she died after suffering a massive heart attack at 1:52 am on Tuesday," the statement read.
Her body has been shifted to the hospital mortuary. Details regarding her last rites are yet to be announced.
Shyamala, who spent over three decades as a character actor in Telugu cinema, had been facing severe financial hardship in recent years. Besides struggling with age-related ailments, she was also caring for her daughter, who reportedly has health issues.
In May, the veteran actor was allegedly denied treatment at a private hospital because she could not afford the expenses. She was reportedly sent away in a taxi, and the driver later dropped her at a junction in the middle of the night. Passersby alerted the police after noticing her condition. She was subsequently shifted to the RK Foundation, where she received immediate care.
Producer and Film Development Corporation chairman Dil Raju intervened after learning about the incident. Along with his team, he co-ordinated with doctors and ensured that Shyamala received proper medical treatment.
This was not the first time the actor had found herself in distress.
In December 2025, Shyamala and her daughter were reportedly asked to vacate the facility where they had been staying. Police intervened after they were allegedly on the verge of taking an extreme step and shifted them to a charitable home.
Her plight had earlier prompted several members of the Telugu film industry to extend financial assistance. In 2021, filmmaker duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, popularly known as Raj & DK, appealed to the public to support the veteran actor. Over the years, stars including Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Sai Durgha Tej and Allu Arjun also came forward to help her.
Who is Pavala Shyamala?
Pavala Shyamala was a familiar face in Telugu cinema, best known for her comic and supporting roles in films such as Golimaar, Khadgam, Andhrawala and Varsham. During a career spanning more than three decades, she shared screen space with stars including Chiranjeevi, Prabhas, Jr NTR and Allu Arjun.
Her last major credited appearance came in Mathu Vadalara (2019). In recent years, several of her scenes found renewed popularity on social media as memes, introducing her work to a younger generation of viewers.
