Sukumari, one of the most colorful personalities in the Malayalam film industry for nearly six decades - and who was lovingly called "Amma" - passed away at a Chennai hospital Tuesday evening.

Sukumari (Born - 6 October 1940 - Died -26 March 2013) 73, suffered burn injuries last month in Chennai. While being treated, she had a heart attack Tuesday afternoon.

Born in Nagercoil in Travancore in 1938, she was a cousin of the legendary Travancore sisters Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini (their mothers were sisters) and it was their influence that helped Sukumari into the tinsel world and in 1951 in the film "Orarivu".

Sukumari's husband passed away when she was quite young. She is survived by her doctor son Suresh Bhimsingh.

Known for her versatile acting, Sukumari excelled in various roles till the end.

In her long and eventful career, she acted in over 2,500 films in various languages and won numerous awards, including the national award for the best-supporting actress in 2011 in the film "Nanma Grammam". She also won four state film awards. In 2003, she was awarded the Padma Shree.

She has been acting since the age of 10 and she is still actively involved in Films, TV Serials and stage dramas. She is a tireless worker for whom her work is her life. It was reported in Malayalam film magazines that she has perhaps acted in the most number of movies than any other person in the world and the list of movie appearances be chronicled for the Guinness Record.