A long struggle with breathing trouble ends

The 82-year-old had been admitted to Apollo Hospitals on November 29, for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease. Announcing his demise in the morning, Apollo Hospitals released a statement, saying, “It is with immense sadness we announce the demise of Shri Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy, popularly called Cho Ramaswamy, this morning. 

The 82-year-old was a true legend and lived a splendid life of an Indian character actor, comedian, editor, political satirist, playwright and dialogue writer. We join the nation to extend our heartfelt condolence to the family and friends in this moment of grief.” 

Sources said that his condition deteriorated on Tuesday evening and he was put on ventilator support. However, he breathed his last around 4 am on Wednesday, after suffering a cardiac arrest. A close associate of the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, it is said that he wasn’t aware of her demise, even as both were receiving treatment at the same hospital. 

Cho had been ill for more than a year now, making frequent visits to the hospital. In September, last year, he was reported to be in a critical condition, after a prolonged treatment for respiratory problems. He also had complaints of other age-related ailments.