Dr. Neliat Kurundatha Shyamalan, a distinguished cardiologist and father of filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, died in the United States on November 4 at the age of 88. The funeral will take place on Friday, November 7 in the US.
Sharing the news on social media, M. Night Shyamalan wrote, “My dearly beloved father has passed away. The loss we feel is immense. But it is mixed with gratitude for having him in our lives for so many years.”
Thanking everyone for the support he has received, he further said, “I want to thank you all for supporting me and letting all my dreams come true. My father came to America and got to see the love from all of you and it made him very happy.”
“I can’t explain in words how much I love her. I will try to live up to her example of kindness, optimism and happiness,” he concluded his post.
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Who was Dr. Neliat C. Shyamalan?
Dr. Neliat C. Shyamalan was a renowned cardiologist. He lived and worked in Philadelphia most of his life. He was born in Mahe and his family roots were in Kannur, Kerala.
Dr. Shyamalan was also interested in history and genealogy. He researched the origins of the Thiyya community of Malabar, reports The Hindu.
Based on DNA studies, he proposed that the Thais came from Indo-Aryan groups who migrated from Central Asia, specifically present-day Kyrgyzstan, through Pakistan and Rajasthan, before settling in northern Malabar, Coorg and the Nilgiris. His research reflects his lifelong curiosity and love of learning.
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Support for his son’s filmmaking journey
Dr. Shyamalan also had connections to the film world through his son, Manoj Night Shyamalan, who has made films such as The Sixth Sense, Science and Split.
He supported his son’s early filmmaking career and even helped produce M. Night Shyamalan’s first film, Praying with Anger (1992).
Family and legacy
Besides his son, Dr. Dhyanalan is survived by his wife, Dr. Jaya Lakshmi, and daughter, Veena Loftus, both of whom live in the United States. His surviving siblings are Venugopal of Chennai and Daya Jayaram of Calicut. His brothers Gangadharan, Sadhanadhan and Ravindran had already died.
questions to ask
1. Who was Dr. Neliat C. Shyamalan?
Dr. Nelliot C. Shyamalan was a distinguished cardiologist based in Philadelphia and the father of filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. He was known for his long medical career and his research on the origins of the Theya community.
2. When did M. Night Shyamalan’s father die?
Dr. Neliat C. Shyamalan died in the United States on November 4, 2025, at the age of 88. His funeral will take place on 7 November.
3. What was Dr. Shyamalan’s connection to M. Night Shyamalan’s films?
He supported his son’s early filmmaking journey and served as a cameo producer on M. Night Shyamalan’s first film, Praying with Anger (1992).