Attacks online include insults, sexist and sexual comments, and physical threats, including death threats to journalists and their families
Director Priyadarshan said the funeral would take place in Chennai.
Sukumari, 74, suffered burn injuries last month while lighting the traditional lamp at a function in Chennai. While being treated, she had a heart attack Tuesday afternoon and breathed her last, her family said.
Born in Nagercoil in Travancore in 1938, she was a cousin of the legendary Travancore sisters Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini (their mothers were sisters) and it was their influence that helped Sukumari into the tinsel world and in 1951 in the film "Orarivu".
Sukumari's husband passed away when she was quite young. She is survived by her doctor son Suresh Bhimsingh.
"I had known her for 33 years. She was a sister, mother and everything to me and to all in the industry," said superstar Mohanlal at a hurriedly called meeting of the actors body AMMA at Kochi.
Known for her versatile acting, Sukumari excelled in various roles till the end.
Director Shaji Kailas said: "She was my relative. No one needed to tell 'Amma' how to act. She was comfortable with any role. Only the script had to be read out to her. Her loss is an irreparable one for the film industry."
In her long and eventful career, she acted in over 2,500 films in various languages and won numerous awards, including the national award for the best supporting actress in 2011 in the film "Nanma Grammam". She also won four state film awards. In 2003, she was awarded the Padma Shree.
"I am speechless. She my co-star and we were almost the same age. We were very close family friends too. I met her recently," said actress Kaviyoor Ponnama.
State Film Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar said Sukumari had told Priyadarshan's wife Lissy that she wished to be cremated in Kerala. "We are in touch with her son and it will be his decision. I have spoken to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who has expressed full support for holding the funeral in our state," said Kumar.
Sukumari had acted in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi films, using her own voice in all languages instead of dubbing artists.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha had called on the ailing actress a few days ago and asked the doctor's treating her to do their best to save her. During her acting days, Jayalalithaa had acted with Sukumari in many films.
Attacks online include insults, sexist and sexual comments, and physical threats, including death threats to journalists and their families
AI tools imitating human intelligence are widely used in newsrooms around the world to transcribe sound files, summarise texts and translate
Of these, 90 families, or 468 people, returned over the Torkham crossing, according to the Taliban-led Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation
It allows American spy agencies to surveil foreigners abroad using data drawn from US digital infrastructure such as internet service providers
The incident happened shortly after jury selection for the hush-money trial was completed
The neighbourhood around the consulate was closed after the 60-year-old entered the premises, claiming to be armed with an explosive vest
The first of seven phases, Friday's vote covered 166 million voters in 102 constituencies across 21 states and territories
The winning image portrays Inas Abu Maamar sobbing while holding Saly's sheet-clad body in the hospital morgue