Manju Warrier pens touching tribute to Sreenivasan; says he will survive time in not one but many ways
Chennai, Dec 20
Actress Manju Warrier on Saturday joined scores of people across the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in paying tribute to one of India's greatest filmmakers, Sreenivasan, pointing out that the legendary actor, screenplay writer and director would survive time in not just one but many ways.
Taking to her Instagram page to pen a touching tribute in Malayalam to the late filmmaker, who passed away in the early hours of Saturday, Manju Warrier said that to leave a timeless mark was the most beautiful thing an artist could leave on this earth and that Sreeniyettan had done it in writing, acting and direction.
In that sense, the actress pointed out, the great filmmaker would survive time, not just in one but many ways.
Stating that she had a lot of personal memories with the legendary filmmaker, the actress said that for the first time, Sreeniyettan, who would always end with a hearty laugh, was making her cry.
But the actress, who bid her final farewell to the versatile actor, took consolation in the fact that what had gone was only a body and that his name would continue to live in many forms for a long time.
Actor, writer and director Sreenivasan is considered an icon of Malayalam cinema. The well-known director, who was known for his acting as much as for his powerful writing, breathed his last at the Trippunithura Taluk Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for age-related illness. He was 69.
Sreenivasan is survived by his wife, Vimala, and his sons, Vineeth Sreenivasan, an acclaimed director, actor and singer, and Dhyan Sreenivasan, a popular actor.
Over a remarkable 48-year career, Sreenivasan left an indelible imprint on Malayalam cinema, shaping its storytelling sensibilities with his incisive humour, social satire and deeply human characters.
An actor of rare versatility, he featured in nearly 225 films, excelling both as a comedian and as a leading man, often portraying the flawed everyman with unmatched authenticity.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Manju Warrier's words are so heartfelt. It's beautiful to see artists honoring each other's legacy. Sreenivasan's work truly transcends time. Even for someone like me who doesn't speak Malayalam fluently, the emotions in his performances were universal.
He was the voice of the common man. His characters felt like our uncles, neighbours, or even ourselves. The satire in his writing was sharp but never mean-spirited. An era of meaningful, content-driven cinema is fading. We need more storytellers like him.
While the tributes are beautiful, it's a bit sad that mainstream media often focuses more on celebrity reactions than on a deeper analysis of the artist's vast body of work. His contribution to screenplay writing deserves a dedicated national film award discussion.
Grew up watching his films with my family. His comedy had a brain and his serious roles had a heart. The fact that his sons, Vineeth and Dhyan, are carrying forward his legacy in cinema is the best tribute. His stories will keep him alive forever. â¤ï¸
This is a profound loss for Indian cinema as a whole, not just the Malayalam industry. His ability to weave social commentary into entertaining narratives was masterful. A reminder that great art is indeed timeless.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.