Actor Jameela Malik, known for her critically acclaimed roles in a handful of movies in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu, besides television serials, passed away at her house in the wee hours of Tuesday.

She was 73 and was suffering from age-related ailments for quite some time, family sources said.

Jameela Malik, who shared screen space with doyens like Prem Nazir and Adoor Bhasi, was the first Keralite woman to graduate from the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune.

Beginning her tinseltown journey with the N N Pisharady-directed Malayalam movie Ragging (1973), she essayed notable roles in around 50 films, including Pandavapuram, Adyathe Katha, Rajahamsam and Lahari.

She was also active in television serials, especially in Doordarshan during the 1990s.

Jameela Malik had to don the cap of a hostel matron and Hindi school teacher in real life as chances in movies dwindled.

She also tried her hand in writing novels and radio plays.

A divorcee, Jameela Malik is survived by her son Ansar Malik.