KOCHI: The mortal remains of beloved National Award-winning Malayalam actor Salim Kumar have been kept for public homage at the Paravur Town Hall. Hundreds of fans, film industry colleagues, and political leaders have gathered to pay their last respects to the iconic performer.
The 56-year-old actor passed away late Saturday night at Amrita Hospital in Kochi due to health complications. His body was brought to the Town Hall at around 8:00 AM on Sunday, accompanied by his grieving family members.
According to official sources, the public viewing will continue until noon, after which his body will be taken to his residence in North Paravur. The funeral is scheduled to take place on his residential premises at 3:00 PM with official state honors.
Film Fraternity and Political Leaders Pay Tribute
Several high-profile personalities arrived at the Paravur Town Hall to offer their final tearful goodbyes. Among those who paid their anthismopacharam (final respects) were Union Minister Suresh Gopi, and actors Jayaram, Ramesh Pisharody, and Navya Nair.
Prominent icons from Malayalam cinema and the political spectrum shared moving tributes to honor Salim Kumar’s irreplaceable legacy:
- Mammootty: “You laughed and made us laugh; you thought deeply and made us think. At times, you wept and moved us to tears. But now, Salim, you leave us only with tears. Your loss is an unending grief, my brother.”
- Mohanlal: “He was a wonderful friend both inside and outside the film world. Malayalam cinema has lost a true gem.”
- Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan: “We have lost more than just a film star; we have lost a brother and a family member. He was the pride of North Paravur.”
- Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan: “The demise of Salim Kumar is an irreparable loss to the Malayalam film industry and the cultural landscape of Kerala.”
- M.A. Baby (CPI-M Leader): “Though he was an open Congress sympathizer, Salim Kumar was a human being who maintained deep personal relationships beyond politics. He was an extraordinarily talented actor, and his departure is a massive loss to the art world.”
