Veteran Telugu actor Pavala Syamala passed away in the early hours of Tuesday at the age of 75.As reported by Cinema Express, she had been undergoing treatment at Osmania General Hospital after battling age-related health complications in recent days. According to reports, the actor suffered a massive cardiac arrest.
A journey from stage to silver screen
Born as Nethi Syamala in Amaravathi in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district, Pavala Syamala entered the world of performing arts through theatre before transitioning to films.She made her acting debut with Babai Abbai and gradually established herself as a dependable supporting actor. Over the years, she appeared in several popular Telugu films across different genres.Some of her well-known films include ‘Challenge’, ‘Srivariki Premalekha’, ‘Babai Abbai’, ‘Mogudu Pellalu’, ‘Ida Prapancham’, ‘Swarnakamalam’, ‘Babu Bangaram’, ‘Guntur Talkies’, ‘Shourya’, ‘Nenu Local’, and ‘Mathu Vadalara’.
Health problems and financial hardships
Away from the spotlight, Pavala Syamala faced several personal and financial challenges. She lost her mother during childhood and later lost her husband shortly after the birth of their daughter. In recent years, the actor struggled financially while dealing with health issues. Earlier this year, Hindustan Times reports claimed that she was denied treatment at a private hospital because she could not afford the medical expenses. She was later found by locals, who alerted the police. She was then shifted to the RK Foundation for immediate assistance.Following reports about her condition, several members of the Telugu film industry extended financial support for her treatment.Producer Dil Raju, who also serves as the chairman of the Film Development Corporation, reportedly arranged medical assistance after learning about her situation. A video released later showed Pavala Syamala and her daughter thanking him and his team for helping them during a difficult period.Support also came from Pawan Kalyan, Sai Durgha Tej, Chiranjeevi, and Allu Arjun, who extended assistance at different stages.In 2021, filmmakers Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK (Raj & DK) launched a fundraising campaign after revealing the financial crisis she was facing. The fundraiser stated that Pavala Syamala’s daughter was bedridden with tuberculosis and that the actor had sold her awards and trophies to meet household expenses.
