National Award-winning Malayalam actor Salim Kumar, one of the most beloved and versatile performers in the history of Mollywood, passed away on Saturday. He was 56 .
The actor breathed his last around 10:45 pm at Amrita Hospital in Kochi, where he had been undergoing treatment for liver-related health complications . In his final days, his condition worsened, and he was placed on ventilator support .
A battle with prolonged illness
Salim Kumar had been grappling with liver ailments for several years. He had previously undergone a liver transplant after being diagnosed with liver cirrhosis . The actor had publicly clarified that the condition was hereditary and not linked to alcohol consumption .
From mimicry stages to national acclaim
Salim Kumar’s journey in cinema is a remarkable story of perseverance and reinvention. Born on October 9, 1969, in North Paravur, Ernakulam, he began his artistic career as a mimicry artist, winning the mimicry competition at Mahatma Gandhi University Youth Festival three times .
He started his career in mimicry at Cochin Kalabhavan before making his film debut in 1996 with Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam . The 2000 blockbuster Thenkasipattanam proved to be a turning point, establishing him as a comedian capable of holding screen space with seasoned performers .
Over a career spanning nearly three decades, he appeared in close to 300 films, delivering unforgettable performances in comedies such as CID Moosa, Kalyanaraman, Meesa Madhavan, Pulival Kalyanam, Mayavi, and Chathikkatha Chanthu .
The dramatic transformation
While audiences adored him as a comedian, Salim Kumar consistently demonstrated remarkable range as a serious actor. His performance in director Lal Jose’s Achanurangatha Veedu earned him the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor .
The defining moment of his career came in 2010 with Adaminte Makan Abu. His restrained and deeply moving portrayal of an elderly attar seller earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor—a rare recognition for a performer primarily known for comedy . The film also won four National Film Awards and was selected as India’s official entry for the Academy Awards .
He remains the only Malayalam comedian to have won the National Award for Best Actor .
Beyond acting
Salim Kumar was also a talented writer and director. He made his directorial debut with Compartment in 2015 . His story for Karutha Joothan won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story in 2016 . He later directed Daivame Kaithozham K Kumar Akanam starring Jayaram .
His list of accolades also includes the Kerala State Film Award for Best Comedian in 2013 for Ayalum Njanum Thammil and the Kerala State Television Award for Best Actor in 2013 .
Industry mourns the loss
As news of his demise spread, an outpouring of grief flooded social media. Megastar Mammootty expressed deep sadness, stating, “Salim, you laugh and make others laugh, think and make others think, and occasionally cry and make others cry. Now, you only make me cry” .
Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran wrote, “Farewell Salim etta. Thank you for the memories” .
Final farewell
Salim Kumar is survived by his wife, Sunitha, and sons, Chandu and Aromal. His son Chandu is also an actor, known for his role in Manjummel Boys .
The funeral was held on Sunday evening. His mortal remains were kept at Paravur Town Hall for the public to pay their last respects before being taken to his residence, Laughing Villa .
With his passing, Malayalam cinema loses not just a comedian, but an artist who showed that laughter could carry deep emotion, truth, and humanity .
