Thousands Bid Farewell to Beloved Actor Salim Kumar

Kochi: Malayalam cinema bade an emotional farewell to one of its most cherished performers as thousands gathered to pay their last respects to actor Salim Kumar, whose remarkable career brought laughter, reflection, and unforgettable characters to generations of viewers.

A steady stream of admirers from across Kerala arrived at the Kesari Balakrishna Pillai Town Hall in North Paravur, where the actor's mortal remains were kept for public viewing. Prominent personalities from the film industry, cultural sphere, and political leadership paid their final tributes.

Among those who offered their condolences were Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and actors Jayaram and Kuku Parameswaran, who represented the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA).

The public viewing continued in Paravur until 2.30 p.m. Following this, the body was taken to his residence at Alummaavu in Parayakad, where the funeral was held at 3.30 p.m with official honours. In accordance with the wishes of the family, the cremation was conducted without any religious rituals.

Salim Kumar passed away on Saturday night after a prolonged illness. He had been largely away from active filmmaking in recent years due to a liver-related ailment. Following a deterioration in his condition, he had been on ventilator support at Amrita Hospital, Edappally, since June 6.

Beginning his career on the mimicry stage, Salim Kumar rose to prominence through his impeccable comic timing before evolving into one of Malayalam cinema's most versatile actors. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he appeared in nearly 280 films, directed three feature films, and hosted several popular television programmes.

Apart from running his own mimicry and theatre troupes, he earned widespread critical acclaim for his performance in Adaminte Makan Abu (2010), which won him both the National Film Award and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.

His talent extended far beyond comedy. He also received Kerala State Film Awards for Achchanurangatha Veedu (Best Supporting Actor), Ayalum Njanum Thammil (Best Comedian), and Karutha Joothan (Best Story), cementing his reputation as one of the most accomplished and multifaceted artists in Malayalam cinema.

With his passing, Malayalam cinema loses not only a gifted comedian but also an actor of extraordinary depth whose performances will continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come.