‘Your departure is an unending sorrow’: Mammootty pens heart-wrenching note as Malayalam actor Salim Kumar dies at 56

Seems like the industry is going through a very, very tough time. Just a day after veteran producer and former CBFC chief Palhaj Nihalani’s passing, National Award-winning Malayalam actor Salim Kumar has passed away at the age of 56. His sudden demise has left the entire industry in shock.

Before his passing, the actor was admitted to a private hospital after suffering health complications and was later placed on ventilator support.

The actor died at a private hospital while undergoing treatment for pneumonia, family sources told PTI. Salim died at around 10:43 pm on Saturday, they said. The actor, who had undergone a liver transplant a few years ago, was admitted to the hospital earlier in the day and was placed on ventilator support.

National Award-winning Malayalam actor Salim Kumar dies at 56; Mammootty pens emotional farewell

Several celebs have penned heartfelt notes. Mammootty has shared an emotional message remembering the late actor.

According to family sources, he developed sudden health complications and was rushed to the hospital, where he breathed his last. He is survived by his wife, Sunitha, and their two children.

Mammootty took to X and penned an emotional farewell. He wrote, “Salim, who laughed and made others laugh, thought and made others think, and occasionally cried and made others cry, now, all you do is make me cry. Your departure, dear brother, has become an unending sorrow…”

Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan also mourned the actor’s death and wrote on X, “He wasn’t just the prince of laughter to me, #SalimKumar was a deeply connected soul, fearless in his political beliefs and proud to say he stood with Congress. A versatile genius who could make us laugh and cry with the same face. Malayalam cinema lost a legend, and I lost a brother.”

The actor’s mortal remains were kept for public homage at Paravur Town Hall from 9 am to 1 pm on Sunday. His funeral will be held at his residence in North Paravur, Ernakulam, with official honours. The state government stated that it has decided to bear the expenses connected with the funeral and related arrangements.

About Malayalam actor Salim Kumar

In a career spanning over three decades, Salim appeared in more than 300 films. The actor, director, and writer, who worked predominantly in Malayalam cinema, started his career as a host on the comedy show Comicola. Later, in 1997, he made his Malayalam film debut with Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam.

However, his major breakthrough came with Thenkasipattanam in 2000 alongside Dileep. The film was one of the highest-grossing releases of that year. He went on to feature in several films with Dileep, including Ee Parakkum Thalika and Meesa Madhavan, among others. He established himself as one of the finest comic actors in the industry.

Later, he successfully transitioned into serious and emotionally layered roles, earning praise from both critics and audiences. In 2010, he won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his powerful performance in Adaminte Makan Abu. His directorial venture Karutha Joothan won the 2017 Kerala State Film Award for Best Story. He also won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for Achanurangatha Veedu (2005) and the Kerala State Television Award for Best Actor in 2013.