Thrissur: Actor and assistant director Ambika Rao, aged 58, died of a heart attack at a private hospital in Ernakulam, around 10.30 pm on Monday.

She had contracted COVID and was under treatment at the hospital.

She was known in the film fraternity for coaching non-Keralite actors the Malayalam dialogues during movie shootings.

Ambika entered the film industry as an assistant director for the Balachandra Menon directorial Krishna Gopalakrishna in 2002.

She had worked as an associate and assistant director for numerous movies including Hallo, Big B, Romeo, Daddy Cool, Thommanum Makkalum, Salt and Pepper, Rajamanikyam, Vellinakshatram among others.

Popular for her role in Kumbalangi nights, Ambika had also acted in movies including Gramophone, Meeshamadhavan, Pattalam, Swapnakoodu, Chronic Bachelor, Vettom, Virus and Anuragakarikkin vellam.

She was residing at Rameshwara Bhavan near Thiruvambady temple in Thrissur. She is survived by her two sons, Rahul and Sohan.