Kochi, June 7:
Malayalam cinema lost one of its most versatile and beloved actors on Saturday night with the passing of Salim Kumar, the National Award-winning performer whose remarkable journey from mimicry stages to the pinnacle of Indian cinema inspired generations. He was 56.
Salim Kumar breathed his last at Amrita Hospital in Kochi, where he had been undergoing treatment for multiple health complications. His condition had reportedly worsened in recent days, leading doctors to place him on ventilator support. Despite the efforts of a team of specialists, he succumbed late in the night.
For several years, the actor had been battling serious liver-related ailments. Salim Kumar had publicly clarified that his liver cirrhosis was a hereditary condition and not the result of alcohol consumption. He had often spoken about the challenges of living with the disease and the emotional toll it took on him and his family.
In candid interviews, the actor revealed that he had once turned to unqualified practitioners in search of a cure, a decision that further aggravated his health problems. He also spoke openly about the isolation and hardships he endured during some of the most difficult phases of his life.
Born in Chittatukara near North Paravur in Ernakulam district, Salim Kumar began his career as a mimicry artist before making a successful transition to films. His impeccable comic timing soon made him one of the most sought-after comedians in Malayalam cinema. Over the years, he appeared in hundreds of films and created a gallery of unforgettable characters that earned him immense popularity among audiences.
The later phase of his career showcased a different side of his talent. Moving beyond comedy, Salim Kumar delivered a series of acclaimed character roles that established him as one of Malayalam cinema’s finest actors. His crowning achievement came with Adaminte Makan Abu, for which he won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 2010. The film also won the Kerala State Film Award and remains a landmark in Malayalam cinema.
His performance in Achanurangatha Veedu earned him the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor, while his work in television won him the Kerala State Television Award for Best Actor in 2013. Salim Kumar also ventured into filmmaking, with his directorial venture Karutha Joothan winning the 2017 Kerala State Film Award for Best Story.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Salim Kumar leaves behind a legacy that transcends genres. From making audiences laugh with his unique brand of humour to moving them with deeply emotional performances, he carved a place for himself among the legends of Malayalam cinema. His death marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in the history of Kerala’s film industry.
