The Smile Fades Away: Salim Kumar’s Funeral Today; Public Viewing at Town Hall

Kochi: Family members, friends, colleagues, and admirers will bid a final farewell today to veteran actor Salim Kumar (57), who gifted Malayalam cinema with some of its most memorable performances. His mortal remains will be placed for public viewing at the North Paravur Municipal Town Hall from 9.00 am on Sunday. At 1.00 pm, the body will be taken to his residence, “Laughing Villa”. The funeral is scheduled to take place at around 5.00 pm.

The beloved actor passed away on Saturday night. He had been undergoing treatment and was largely away from the film industry in recent years due to a liver-related illness. Following a deterioration in his condition, he was admitted to Amrita Hospital in Edappally and placed on ventilator support. While receiving treatment for pneumonia, he reportedly suffered a sudden cardiac arrest, which led to his death.

Salim Kumar first rose to prominence through the mimicry circuit before making a successful transition to cinema, where he became renowned for both his comic timing and powerful character portrayals. Over a film career spanning three decades, he appeared in nearly 280 films, directed three movies, and hosted several popular television programs.

In addition to running his own mimicry and drama troupes, he earned widespread critical acclaim for his performance in Adaminte Makan Abu (2011), which won him both the National Film Award and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor. He also received Kerala State Film Awards for Achchanurangatha Veedu (Best Supporting Actor), Ayalum Njanum Thammil (Best Comedian), and Karutha Joothan (Best Story).

Born on October 10, 1969, in Chittattukara, Ernakulam, to Gangadharan and Kausalya, Salim Kumar displayed exceptional talent from a young age. As a student at Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam, he won first prize in mimicry at the MG University Youth Festival three times before joining Cochin Kalabhavan.

He made his film debut with Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam (1996) and went on to become a familiar face in Malayalam cinema through memorable roles in films such as Thenkasipattanam, Thommanum Makkalum, Ee Parakkum Thalika, Meesha Madhavan, Kalyanaraman, Kilichundan Mampazham, Chathikkatha Chanthu, Thilakkam, and Mayavi. His final screen appearance was reportedly in Koodothram, released this year. He also acted in five films in other languages, including Tamil.

As a filmmaker, he directed Compartment, Karutha Joothan, and Daivame Kaithozham K. Kumarakanam.

He is survived by his wife, Sunitha, and their sons, actor Chandu and Aaromal.