National Award-Winning Malayalam Actor Salim Kumar Dies at 56, Film Industry Mourns Loss

Mumbai: National Award-winning Malayalam actor Salim Kumar passed away at the age of 56 in Kochi on Saturday after suffering a heart attack. He had been admitted to a private hospital earlier in the day after his health deteriorated and was placed on ventilator support.

What happen to Salim Kumar?

Renowned Malayalam film actor Salim Kumar passed away on Saturday at the age of 56 while undergoing treatment for pneumonia. On Saturday morning, he was put on a ventilator after his health deteriorated. 

Salim had been battling health issues for a long time before passing away at a private hospital in Kochi. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Chandu and Aromal.

Where will Salim Kumar's last rites be performed?

According to reports, doctors confirmed Salim Kumar's death at 10:43 pm on Saturday night. He was suffering from pneumonia and was put on a ventilator after his condition worsened.

Salim Kumar's last rites will be performed on Sunday at his hometown of Paravur. His body will be kept at the Paravur Town Hall for public viewing starting at 9 am According to reports, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan will visit Paravur to pay his respects.

What did Mammootty say?

Mammootty wrote an emotional farewell message for X, stating, "Salim, who laughed and made others laugh, thought and made others think, and sometimes cried and made others cry, now you are just making me cry. Dear brother, your passing has become an everlasting sorrow..."

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."

Several figures from the Malayalam film industry, including actor Dileep, MLA and actor Ramesh Pisharody, and Nadirshah, visited the hospital where Salim was admitted.

Who was Salim Kumar?

In a career spanning over three decades, Salim appeared in over 300 films. Primarily working in Malayalam cinema, the actor, director, and writer began his career as the host of the comedy show "Komikola." Later, in 1997, he made his Malayalam cinema debut with the film "Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam."

Later, he took on roles with emotional depth, for which he received praise from both critics and audiences. In 2010, he received the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in "Adaminte Makan Abu."

His directorial debut, "Karutha Joothan," won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story in 2017. He also received the Kerala State Film Award (Second Best Actor) for "Achanurangatha Veedu" (2005) and the Kerala State Television Award for Best Actor in 2013.