Why Chef Damu is trending in the UAE

Published 25 October 2026 at 10:16 AM · 10 sources · 200+ searches today

Chef Damu, also known as Dr K. Damodharan, is trending because reports say he died in Chennai on 25 October 2026 at the age of 72. Some coverage says official confirmation from his family or representatives was still awaited, so the death report is not fully independently confirmed as of 25 October 2026.

Key facts

Reported death: 25 October 2026 in Chennai, aged 72
Initial report came from Samayam Tamil
He was a judge on Star Vijay’s Cooku With Comali
He was a Padma Shri recipient for culinary arts
Reports link him to a Guinness record: 617 dishes in 24 hours and 30 minutes

What happened

Reports on 25 October 2026 say Chef Damu, the Tamil celebrity chef Dr K. Damodharan, died in Chennai after a period of ill health. The initial report came from Samayam Tamil, and some coverage said confirmation from his family or representatives was still awaited.

Because the report is not fully independently confirmed, the most careful wording is that his death has been reported rather than officially established in all coverage as of 25 October 2026. Even so, the news has spread quickly across Tamil-language media and social platforms.

Why people know him

Chef Damu was widely known to television audiences as a judge on Star Vijay’s Cooku With Comali, where his humour and approachable style made him a familiar face. His TV career also included appearances on Jaya TV, helping bring Tamil Nadu’s food traditions and culinary culture to mass audiences.

He was also recognised beyond television. Reports identify him as a Padma Shri recipient for his contribution to culinary arts, and he was associated with a Guinness World Record for cooking 617 dishes in 24 hours and 30 minutes.

Why this is trending in the UAE

The story is likely being searched in the UAE because Cooku With Comali has a broad Tamil-speaking diaspora audience, including residents in the Emirates. That makes news about a well-known judge on the show relevant to many viewers here.

Search interest may also have been boosted by earlier death rumours in August 2026. Reports said Chef Damu himself addressed those rumours, saying he was alive and explaining that a leg injection caused him to miss a semi-final episode.

What to watch next

As of 25 October 2026, the main point to watch is whether family or official representatives issue a confirmation or statement. Until then, the report remains based on initial coverage and follow-up reporting.

If more confirmation comes, coverage is likely to focus on his television work, his Padma Shri recognition and his Guinness record, which are the main reasons he became a widely shared public figure.

Frequently asked

Has Chef Damu died today?

Reports on 25 October 2026 say Chef Damu died in Chennai at age 72. However, some coverage said official confirmation from his family or representatives was still awaited.

Why is Chef Damu trending in the UAE?

He is best known to many Tamil-speaking viewers through Cooku With Comali, which has a wide diaspora audience in the UAE. The reported death also made the story widely shareable.

Who is Chef Damu?

Chef Damu is Dr K. Damodharan, a Tamil celebrity chef and television personality. He was known for his role as a judge on Star Vijay’s Cooku With Comali.

What awards or records is Chef Damu known for?

Reports say he received the Padma Shri for his contribution to culinary arts. He was also associated with a Guinness World Record for cooking 617 dishes in 24 hours and 30 minutes.

Sources

Researched automatically from live news and written by Simpledot's AI; facts are limited to what the sources above report as of the published time. Spot an error? Tell us.