Namita Pramod Mourns Makeup Artist Bijeesh Lost in Thrissur Blast
Synopsis
Actress Namita Pramod broke down on Instagram mourning her makeup artist Bijeesh — her 'brother' for over 8 years — killed in the Thrissur Pooram firecracker blast that claimed at least 13 lives. The tragedy exposes the hidden human cost behind India's grandest festival celebrations.
Key Takeaways
At least 13 people were killed in a firecracker explosion at a fireworks unit in Mundathikode, Thrissur, Kerala on April 22, 2025 .
Actress Namita Pramod mourned the death of her makeup artist Bijeesh , who worked with her for over eight years in the Malayalam film industry.
Namita described Bijeesh as 'family' and 'a brother,' saying she cannot imagine returning to a film set without him.
Malayalam superstar Mammootty also expressed grief on X (Twitter) , extending prayers to the families of the deceased and the injured.
The blast occurred during preparations for Thrissur Pooram , one of India's most celebrated temple festivals, known for its elaborate fireworks.
The tragedy reignites concerns over safety regulation enforcement at fireworks units across Kerala and India, particularly during festival seasons.
Actress Namita Pramod has shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram mourning the death of her longtime makeup artist Bijeesh, who was among the at least 13 people killed in a devastating firecracker explosion at a fireworks unit in Mundathikode, Thrissur, Kerala on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The tragedy struck during preparations for the iconic Thrissur Pooram festival, sending shockwaves across the nation and the Malayalam film industry.
Namita Pramod's Emotional Tribute to Bijeesh
The actress, who has built a distinguished career across both Malayalam and Tamil cinema, posted photographs of herself alongside Bijeesh as she poured her grief into words. "Dear Biji, I can't express what I'm going through today. My heart feels unbearably heavy. I never imagined I would lose someone like you in the Mundathikode, Thrissur firecracker blast. I still can't accept that you are no longer with us," she wrote.
Her words resonated deeply with fans and colleagues who flooded the comments section with condolences, highlighting how the blast's impact has rippled far beyond Thrissur into the heart of the entertainment industry.
Eight Years of Brotherhood Beyond the Film Set
Namita Pramod described her bond with Bijeesh as far exceeding a professional relationship. "You took care of me for more than eight years. You were never just my makeup artist, you were family. You made me feel safe, happy, and comfortable every single day at work. I always saw you as my brother," she recalled.
This tribute underscores a reality often overlooked in cinema — the invisible backbone of technicians, artists, and crew members whose lives and contributions are rarely spotlighted until tragedy strikes.
Bijeesh's Love for Thrissur Pooram Becomes a Painful Irony
In one of the most poignant lines of her tribute, Namita Pramod noted that Bijeesh's passion for Thrissur Pooram — one of India's grandest and most celebrated temple festivals — ultimately led him to the site of the tragedy. "Your love and excitement for Thrissur Pooram was unmatched, and it breaks my heart that you're gone like this," she wrote.
The cruel irony is stark: a man whose devotion to a beloved festival took his life during the very preparations meant to celebrate it. "I don't know how I'll step onto a set again without you. You were such an important part of my life. You meant everything to us. Gone too soon. I will miss you every single day. Rest in peace, Biji," she concluded.
Mammootty and Film Industry Express Shock Over Thrissur Blast
Malayalam superstar Mammootty was among the first prominent voices from the film fraternity to respond to the catastrophe. Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account, he stated, "Shocked to hear about the tragic incident in Thrissur. My heart goes out to the family of the deceased. Sincere prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured."
The outpouring from the film industry reflects a broader national grief, as the Thrissur Pooram firecracker blast claimed at least 13 lives and left several others injured, making it one of the deadliest fireworks-related accidents in Kerala's recent history.
Thrissur Firecracker Blast: Scale of the Tragedy
The explosion occurred at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathikode, Thrissur district, during the high-pressure preparation phase ahead of Thrissur Pooram — a festival renowned for its elaborate fireworks displays. Authorities confirmed at least 13 fatalities with the death toll feared to rise as rescue operations continued.
This incident reignites long-standing questions about safety regulations at fireworks units in Kerala, particularly those operating under the pressure of festival deadlines. Notably, India has witnessed multiple firecracker factory explosions over the years, raising urgent questions about enforcement of safety norms and the vulnerability of workers in this unorganised sector.
As investigations into the cause of the blast continue and families of victims await justice, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the human cost behind India's most spectacular festivals. Authorities are expected to release a detailed inquiry report in the coming days, which may trigger a broader policy review on fireworks safety standards across Kerala and India.
Point of View
Festival preparations push fireworks units to their limits with little accountability, and every few years, workers pay with their lives. Namita Pramod's tribute to Bijeesh humanises the statistics: these are not nameless casualties but skilled artisans who are the invisible backbone of both cinema and culture. The mainstream narrative will grieve and move on — but NationPress asks the harder question: when will India enforce the safety norms that could have kept Bijeesh alive?
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bijeesh and how did he die in the Thrissur blast?
Bijeesh was a makeup artist who worked with actress Namita Pramod for over eight years in the Malayalam film industry. He was killed in the massive firecracker explosion at a fireworks unit in Mundathikode, Thrissur, on April 22, 2025, during preparations for the Thrissur Pooram festival.
What did Namita Pramod write about her makeup artist Bijeesh?
Namita Pramod posted an emotional tribute on Instagram calling Bijeesh 'family' and 'a brother,' saying he cared for her for over eight years on set. She wrote that her heart feels 'unbearably heavy' and that she cannot imagine stepping onto a film set without him.
How many people died in the Thrissur Pooram firecracker blast?
At least 13 people were killed and several others were injured in the explosion at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Mundathikode, Thrissur, Kerala. The blast occurred during preparations for the Thrissur Pooram, one of India's most celebrated temple festivals.
What did Mammootty say about the Thrissur firecracker explosion?
Malayalam superstar Mammootty expressed shock on his X (Twitter) account, saying his heart goes out to the families of the deceased and offering prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured in the Thrissur blast.
What is Thrissur Pooram and why was there a firecracker explosion?
Thrissur Pooram is one of India's grandest and most famous temple festivals, celebrated in Thrissur, Kerala, known for its spectacular fireworks displays. The explosion occurred at a fireworks unit during the high-pressure preparation phase ahead of the festival, raising serious questions about safety regulation enforcement.
