Kannada actor Kishori Ballal passed away at the age of 82, in Bengaluru on 18 February. Having worked in over 70 films, she was best known for playing Shah Rukh Khan’s caretaker in the 2004 film Swades. She won a lot of appreciation for her role as Kaveri Amma in the Ashutosh Gowariker film.
Shah Rukh Khan too, offered his condolences as he tweeted a picture of him with her, and wrote, “May her soul rest in peace. Kishori ‘Amma’ will be sorely missed. Especially how she used to reprimand me for smoking. May Allah look after her.”
Ashutosh Gowariker took to Twitter to express grief and wrote, “HEARTBROKEN! Terribly sad about the passing away of #KishoriBallal ji!! Kishori ji... you will be remembered for your generously kind, warm and affable persona! And your unforgettable performance as #Kaveriamma in #Swades !! You will surely be missed!!”
Kishori Ballal made her debut in 1960 with Ivalentha Hendthi and since then has worked with numerous actors and directors in a career spanning over 15 years. In Hindi cinema, she starred in Swades, Deepika Padukone-starrer Lafangey Parindey and Rani Mukerji’s Aiyyaa.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)