Mammootty mourns Salim Kumar's death at 56: 'Your departure has become an unending sorrow'
Synopsis
Mammootty’s farewell post for Salim Kumar — ‘your departure has become an unending sorrow’ — captured what Malayalam cinema lost on Saturday night: a National Award-winning actor who could hold a comedy and a tragedy with the same face, and who spent three decades becoming irreplaceable.
Key Takeaways
Malayalam actor Salim Kumar passed away on Saturday night at the age of 56 , reportedly at around 10:43 pm .
He had undergone a liver transplant previously and was on ventilator support at the time of his death.
Mammootty posted an emotional tribute on X , calling Salim Kumar’s departure ‘an unending sorrow.’ Kerala Chief Minister V.
Satheesan also mourned on X, describing him as ‘a versatile genius’ and ‘a brother.’ Salim Kumar won the National Film Award for Best Actor for Adaminte Makan Abu and received multiple Kerala State Film Awards .
His career spanned nearly three decades and hundreds of films , beginning at Kalabhavan as a mimicry artist.
Padma Bhushan awardee Mammootty has paid an emotional tribute to the late Malayalam actor Salim Kumar, who passed away on Saturday night at the age of 56. The Malayalam cinema legend shared a heartfelt note on X (formerly Twitter), expressing grief over the loss of a close friend and colleague.
Mammootty's Tribute
Posting a photograph of the late actor, Mammootty wrote in Malayalam: “Salim, who laughed and made others laugh, thought and made others think, and occasionally cried and made others cry, now, all you do is make me cry. Your departure, dear brother, has become an unending sorrow.” The post drew an outpouring of condolences from fans and film personalities across Kerala.
Circumstances of Death
Salim Kumar reportedly passed away at around 10:43 pm on Saturday. He had undergone a liver transplant a few years ago and was admitted to hospital earlier that day, where he was placed on ventilator support. His death marks a significant loss for Malayalam cinema, which had celebrated him as one of its most versatile performers.
Chief Minister Pays Homage
Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan also mourned the actor’s passing in a post on X, writing: “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.”
A Career That Defined Malayalam Comedy
Salim Kumar began his journey as a mimicry artist with Kalabhavan, rising to prominence in the late 1990s and 2000s through memorable roles in films such as Meesa Madhavan and Pulival Kalyanam. His characters and dialogues became deeply embedded in Kerala’s popular culture and remain widely quoted to this day.
Beyond his celebrated comic timing, he earned critical acclaim for dramatic performances — most notably in Adaminte Makan Abu, which earned him the National Film Award for Best Actor. He also received multiple Kerala State Film Awards and later ventured into directing and writing, with his film Karutha Joothan earning recognition for its story.
Legacy
Over a career spanning nearly three decades and hundreds of films, Salim Kumar evolved from a beloved comedian into one of Malayalam cinema’s finest character actors. His passing leaves a void that the industry and his millions of fans across Kerala will find difficult to fill. Tributes continue to pour in from across the film fraternity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Salim Kumar die?
Salim Kumar reportedly passed away at around 10:43 pm on Saturday at the age of 56. He had undergone a liver transplant previously and was admitted to hospital earlier that day, where he was placed on ventilator support before his death.
What did Mammootty say about Salim Kumar's death?
Mammootty posted a tribute on X, writing: ‘Salim, who laughed and made others laugh, thought and made others think, and occasionally cried and made others cry, now, all you do is make me cry. Your departure, dear brother, has become an unending sorrow.’
What is Salim Kumar best known for?
Salim Kumar is best known for his exceptional comic timing in Malayalam films such as Meesa Madhavan and Pulival Kalyanam, and for his critically acclaimed dramatic performance in Adaminte Makan Abu, which won him the National Film Award for Best Actor.
Did Kerala’s Chief Minister respond to Salim Kumar’s death?
Yes, Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan posted a tribute on X, calling Salim Kumar ‘a versatile genius who could make us laugh and cry with the same face’ and saying he had lost a brother.
How long was Salim Kumar’s film career?
Salim Kumar’s career spanned nearly three decades and hundreds of films. He began as a mimicry artist with Kalabhavan and later expanded into directing and writing, with his film Karutha Joothan earning recognition for its story.
