Mollywood’s beloved actor of emotions, Salim Kumar, was laid to rest with state honours at his residence in North Paravur at 3.40 pm on Sunday. The veteran actor passed away on Saturday night at a private hospital in Kochi following health complications. He was 56.
Known for his remarkable versatility on screen and his openness in expressing political and social views, Salim Kumar remained a distinctive and influential voice in Malayalam cinema and public life.
His body was first taken to the North Paravur Town Hall on Sunday morning, where public viewing began around 9 am. The mortal remains were later brought to his residence for the final rites. Since news of his demise broke, hundreds of admirers gathered to pay their last respects to the actor whose performances moved generations of Malayalis.
As Gold 101.3 FM, UAE’s No.1 Radio Station understands, the Town Hall witnessed continuous public turnout, with people from the film industry, as well as social, cultural and political circles, arriving to bid farewell.
Prominent personalities including Jayaram, Navya Nair, Shweta Menon, Renji Panicker, Mahesh Narayanan, Ramesh Pisharody, Nadirshah, Harisree Ashokan, Sunny Wayne, Chidambaram, Tiny Tom, Baburaj and Dileep paid their respects. Politicians V D Satheesan, P C Vishnunadh and Hibi Eden also attended and offered tributes.
At the Town Hall, actor Navya Nair recalled her memories of working with Salim Kumar, describing their experience in Mazhathullikkilukkam. She said the line “Rain is the happiness of the soul” kept echoing in her mind as heavy rain accompanied her journey to bid him farewell.
Among those who mourned his passing was Chief Minister V D Satheesan, who described Salim Kumar as a brother and a rare talent in Malayalam cinema. He noted that the actor could effortlessly switch between comedy and emotional roles, making audiences laugh with one expression and move them to tears with another.
Born in North Paravur in 1969, Salim Kumar’s journey from mimicry stages to Malayalam cinema remains one of the industry’s most inspiring success stories. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he acted in over 300 films, earning acclaim for both comedic and character-driven performances.
His roles in films such as CID Moosa, Pulival Kalyanam, Kalyanaraman, Kilichundan Mampazham and Thilakkam made him a household name in Kerala. While widely celebrated as a comedy icon, he also earned critical acclaim for powerful emotional performances.
His role in Adaminte Makan Abu won him the National Film Award and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 2010, marking a milestone in his career. His other honours include the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for Achanurangatha Veedu (2005), Best Comedian for Ayalum Njanum Thammil (2013), Best Story Writer for Karutha Joothan (2016), and the Kerala State Television Award for Best Actor in 2013.
Beyond acting, Salim Kumar also worked as a writer, director and producer. Films such as Compartment, Karutha Joothan and Daivame Kaithozham K. Kumarakanam reflected his creative versatility and storytelling depth.
With his passing, Malayalam cinema bids farewell to an artist whose extraordinary range, memorable characters and lasting emotional connect with audiences secured him a permanent place in Kerala’s cultural history.
