Malayalam Actor Salim Kumar passes away at 56

Kochi: Renowned Malayalam actor Salim Kumar passed away while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kochi on Friday. He was 56.

Hospital sources said his death was confirmed at 10.43 pm. He had been undergoing treatment for pneumonia and reportedly suffered a heart attack during treatment.

Salim Kumar had last appeared at a public event during a reception programme organised for Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan in Paravur.

One of the most popular actors in Malayalam cinema, Salim Kumar entered the film industry through mimicry and comedy. Though he began his film career in the mid-1990s, it was during the early 2000s that he emerged as one of the most recognisable comic actors in Malayalam cinema.

Over the years, he successfully moved beyond comedy roles and won acclaim for portraying serious and emotionally powerful characters. Many of his dialogues continue to remain popular among audiences and are widely used in social media content and online discussions.

Born on October 9, 1969, at North Paravur, Salim Kumar was actively associated with mimicry stages including Cochin Kalabhavan and Sagar. Close friend and filmmaker Nadirshah played a key role in introducing him to the film industry.

His debut film was Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam. However, the blockbuster success of Thenkasipattanam in 2000 established him as a household name. During a career spanning several decades, he acted in more than 300 films.

Apart from acting, he also directed films including Compartment, Karutha Joothan and Daivame Kaithozham K. Kumarakanam.

His performances earned him several prestigious honours. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor in 2005 for Achanurangatha Veedu. His role in Adaminte Makan Abu brought him both the National Film Award and Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 2010. He later received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Comedian for Ayalum Njanum Thammil in 2013.

In recent years, Salim Kumar had been facing health challenges related to liver ailments. He had earlier stated publicly that his liver cirrhosis was hereditary and not caused by alcohol consumption. He had also spoken about undergoing ineffective treatments during his illness, which had affected his health further.