Mammootty bid emotional farewell to late actor Salim Kumar: Your departure has become an unending sorrow
Mumbai, June 7
Padma Bhushan awardee Mammootty has mourned the demise of the Malayalam actor Salim Kumar, who passed away at the age of 56.
The Malayalam cinema legend took to his X, formerly Twitter, and shared a picture of the late actor, and penned a long note in Malayalam.
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".
The actor reportedly died at around 10:43 pm on Saturday. 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.
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".
Salim Kumar was one of the most celebrated performers in Malayalam cinema, renowned for his exceptional comic timing, expressive acting, and remarkable versatility. He started his career as a mimicry artist with 'Kalabhavan', he rose to prominence in the late 1990s and 2000s through memorable roles in films such as 'Meesa Madhavan', 'Pulival Kalyanam' and others.
His characters and dialogues became deeply embedded in Kerala's popular culture and remain widely quoted. Beyond comedy, he earned critical acclaim for dramatic performances, most notably in Adaminte Makan Abu, which won him the National Film Award for Best Actor.
He also received multiple Kerala State Film Awards and later ventured into directing and writing, with his film Karutha Joothan earning recognition for its story. Over a career spanning nearly three decades and hundreds of films, he evolved from a beloved comedian into one of Malayalam cinema's finest character actors.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Mammootty's tribute is so heartfelt and moving. The way he wrote "now, all you do is make me cry" really captures the bond they shared. Salim Kumar was a gem who entertained us for decades. His dialogues will live on in our hearts forever. 😢
Salim Kumar's journey from Kalabhavan to a National Award winner is truly inspiring. He proved that comedy is as serious as any art form. But I wish the media would focus more on his artistic legacy rather than CM's political angle. His work speaks for itself.
As someone who grew up watching Malayalam films in the US, Salim Kumar's comedy was universal. Even non-Malayalis loved his timing. The way he could switch from hilarious to heartbreaking in 'Adaminte Makan Abu' was incredible. A true artist gone too soon.
Salim Kumar was more than a comedian—he was a storyteller. 'Meesa Madhavan' and 'Pulival Kalyanam' are timeless, but his directorial work 'Karutha Joothan' showed his courage to tackle tough subjects. Malayalam cinema owes him so much. 💔
It's sad to see such talent leave us at just 56. His liver transplant story is a reminder of how fragile life is. But his legacy is secure—he made millions laugh, and that's no small feat. RIP Salim Kumar. Your humor will echo in Kerala's cultural memory.
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