National Award-winning Malayalam comedian-actor Salim Kumar passes away

National Award-winning Malayalam comedian-actor Salim Kumar passes away

National Award-winning Malayalam actor and politician Salim Kumar has died. He passed away while undergoing treatment for pneumonia at a private hospital in Kochi on Saturday night, June 6. He was 56. He is survived by his wife Sunitha and two children.

According to family sources, Salim Kumar had undergone a liver transplant several years ago. His condition recently deteriorated, and he was admitted to the hospital and placed on ventilator support, where he died.

Salim Kumar began his career as a mimicry artist and made his film debut in 1997. He gradually became one of the most popular comedy actors in Malayalam cinema. Many of his characters and dialogues remain part of everyday conversation among Kerala's people.

He was not only a comedian but also excelled in serious and emotional roles. His ability to effortlessly navigate between humour and drama gave him a unique stature among his contemporaries.

He won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his performance in 'Achanurangatha Veedu'. He later won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 2010 for his outstanding performance in 'Adaminte Makan Abu', for which he also won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.

Salim Kumar was also active in politics. He was a longtime Congress supporter and, despite his illness, campaigned for the Congress-led United Democratic Front in the latest Kerala assembly election.