Kerala Bids Farewell to Master of Quiet Wit, Sreenivasan Cremated with Full State Honours in Kerala

Kochi: Actor-director Sreenivasan was cremated with full state honours at his residence in Kadanad, on Sunday morning. As he was laid to rest, Srinivasan was held close with his most cherished pen and a piece of paper bearing the words, “May everyone always have only goodness in their lives.”

The touching gesture was performed by his close friend and noted filmmaker Sathyan Anthikad, who placed the pen and the handwritten note on Srinivasan’s body. The moment reflected the warmth, humanity, and compassion that defined “Malayalam cinema’s Sreeni,” both in his life and in his art.

Sreenivasan, Who had been sick for several years, died on Saturday morning on his way for routine dialysis. His body was brought to his residence in kandanad on Saturday evening.

As news of his demise spread, large crowds gathered at the Tripunithura Taluk Hospital to pay their respects. By around 11 am, when the mortal remains were taken to his residence ‘Palazhi’ on the Kandanad–Vattukunnu Road, people lined the streets to catch a final glimpse. At noon, the body was taken to the Ernakulam Town Hall for public viewing. Though public homage was scheduled until 3 pm, it was extended till 3.45 pm due to the overwhelming turnout. The body was later taken back to his residence.

Sreenivasan’s elder son, actor Vineeth Sreenivasan, who had reached Kochi airport to travel to Chennai, rushed back to the hospital upon hearing the news. His younger son, actor Dhyan Sreenivasan, who was shooting in Kozhikode, also returned immediately.

Several prominent personalities from the film, political and cultural spheres paid their last respects. Actor Mammootty visited the residence and later the Town Hall, while Mohanlal arrived in the afternoon at the Town Hall to offer condolences. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) General Secretary M. A. Baby, Ministers P. Rajeeve and Saji Cherian, MP Hibi Eden, MLAs T. J. Vinod and Roji M. John, CPI(M) district secretary S. Satheesh, NCP national working president P. C. Chacko, CPI state executive member V. S. Sunil Kumar, AMMA General Secretary Kukku Parameswaran, and a large number of actors, directors, writers, producers, singers and cultural figures were among those who paid homage.

The Kochi unit manager of Deshabhimani, Pradeep Mohan, also laid a floral wreath on behalf of the newspaper.

Sreenivasan’s passing marks the end of an era in Malayalam cinema, leaving behind a legacy of socially conscious, humorous and deeply human storytelling that shaped generations of filmmakers and audiences alike.