Bengaluru: Veteran Kannada actress and dancer, Surekha, who had worked with Sandalwood legend Dr. Rajkumar in many movies, passed away following a heart attack on Saturday night. She was 66.

According to her family sources, Surekha suffered a heart attack around 9.30 pm while she was watching TV and was rushed to a nearby hospital where she breathed her last. She is survived by her sisters Sharada and Prema. Last rites were  held at Banashankari crematorium yesterday.

With Dr. Rajkumar, she was seen in the movies  Trimurthi, Olavu Geluvu, Giri Kanye, Sakshatkara, Kasturi Nivasa, Huliya Halina Mevu etc. She was seen in the female lead in the films like Maya Manushya and Nanu Balabeku among a few others.

She had worked in over 160 movies that includes, Thayi Devaru, Shivakanye, Kaveri, Kesarina Kamala, Operation Jackpot Nalli CID, CID 999, Banker Margaiah and Nagarahole.

She was also seen in Tamil film Nan Avanallai, directed by K. Balachander, a legendary filmmaker who introduced Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan to movies.

She was a trained Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dancer. The actress-dancer had given performances across the country as well as in foreign countries. Surekha was also a member of the Censor Board State Award Committee.