Thulluvadho Ilamai actor Abhinay Kinger dies at 44 after prolonged battle with liver disease

Veteran Tamil actor Abhinay Kinger, who made his stage debut alongside Dhanush in the coming-of-age drama Thulluvadho Ilamai (2002), died on Monday in Chennai at the age of 44 following a prolonged struggle with liver disease.

Abhinay entered the entertainment industry under the direction of Kasthuri Raja, making his acting debut in the film, which was also the launch pad for Dhanush.

In addition to working in Tamil and Malayalam films during his early career, Abhinay was a dubbing artist, providing the voices of celebrities in big-budget productions.

Abhinay's financial and physical conditions declined in recent years. He was fighting “severe liver disease and financial hardship,” finding it difficult to cover his basic living expenditures and medical obligations, according to The Indian Express.

The actor admitted in an interview last year that he frequently ate at a government mess. The situation deteriorated after the death of his mother, the late renowned actress TP Radhamani, in 2019, which removed a key support system for him.

According to sources, Abhinay was in critical condition at the time of his death. He was reportedly treated around the clock, and he turned to his film industry colleagues for support when the cost of his treatment increased. Dhanush contributed around ₹5 lakh for his medical care, as reported by The Telegraph.

Abhinay’s debut film Thulluvadho Ilamai, which was written by Dhanush's brother Selvaraghavan, attracted a lot of attention for Abhinay and helped him get his first major part in Junction (2002).

In the same year, he made his debut in Malayalam cinema with a minor part in the famous director Fazil's Kai Ethum Dhoorathu, which also served as the acting debut of Fazil's son Fahadh Faasil.

Abhinay later made appearances in Tamil films, including Endrendrum Punnagai, Daas, Pon Megalai, Thodakkam, Palaivana Solai, Solla Solla Inikkum, Arumugam, Kathai

, and Aarohanam.

He last appeared in Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham (2014), an action comedy directed by Srinath and starring Santhanam and Ashna Zaveri.

The actor has also performed as a dubbing artist, providing voices for Babu Antony in Kaaka Muttai (2015), Milind Soman in Paiyaa (2010), and Vidyut Jammwal in Thuppakki (2012) and Anjaan (2014).