How did the condition of Salim Kumar, who was suffering from pneumonia, suddenly become so serious? Did the heart attack that came after going on the ventilator the biggest reason for his death? Has Malayalam cinema lost its most versatile comedy and National Award winning star? Will the place of the memorable actor of ‘CID Moosa’ and ‘Meesha Madhavan’ ever be filled?
Malayalam Actor Salim Kumar: A very heartbreaking news has come out from Indian cinema and especially Malayalam film industry. Veteran actor and National Award winner Salim Kumar, who ruled millions of hearts with his excellent comic timing, unmatched acting and vivacity, has passed away. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Kochi at the age of 56. As soon as this sad news came to light, there was a wave of mourning in the entire film industry and social media. It is difficult for fans to believe that the star who always had a smile on his face is no longer with us.
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The actor was on ventilator: What happened at the last moment?
This tragic incident occurred on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Salim Kumar was suffering from serious health problems for a long time. Recently, he was admitted to a hospital in Kochi after complaining of pneumonia. According to doctors, his health suddenly deteriorated on Saturday morning, after which he was immediately shifted to life support i.e. ventilator. The entire team of doctors was trying to save his life, but Honi had something else in mind. During treatment, he suddenly suffered a heart attack. Despite all the efforts of the doctors, his body stopped responding and at 10:43 pm on Saturday night, the doctors officially declared him dead.
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The journey started from the wedding hall: a unique game of fate!
The story of Salim Kumar’s life and the beginning of his career is no less than a film script. Salim Kumar, born on 10 October 1969, was a master of mimicry since childhood. During his college days, he won the gold medal in mimicry at the university level three times in a row. But the biggest twist of his career came in the year 1996. The day Salim Kumar was getting married to his girlfriend Sunita, he was offered the first film of his life ‘Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam’. This journey that started from the wedding hall was going to create history in the future. The film ‘Thenkasipatnam’ released in the year 2000 proved to be the biggest turning point of his career, which made him an overnight star.
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The king of comedy, who changed the definition of acting
Salim Kumar was not just a comedian, he was an entire school of acting. He played such characters in films like ‘Kalyanaraman’, ‘CID Moosa’, ‘Meesha Madhavan’ and ‘Mayavi’ which even today people get ecstatic after seeing them. However, the world recognized the real strength of his art when he played a very serious and emotional character in the film ‘Adaminte Makan Abu’. For his excellent performance in this film, he was awarded the country’s most prestigious ‘National Film Award for Best Actor’. Apart from acting, he also directed films like ‘Compartment’ and ‘Karutha Joothan’ brilliantly.
Last farewell in hometown: Chief Minister will also pay tribute
Salim Kumar is survived by his wife Sunita and two sons, Chandu and Aromal. On Sunday, June 7, 2026, his mortal remains will be kept at Paravur Town Hall from 9 am for the last darshan, where celebrities from the cinema world and thousands of his fans will bid him farewell. In this hour of grief, Kerala Chief Minister and veteran leader V.D. Satheesan is also reaching his hometown Paravur to pay homage to the departed soul. His last rites will be performed with full state honors in the afternoon. Salim Kumar may have left this world, but he will always remain immortal through his films and characters.
An artist is gone, but his smile will live on
Salim Kumar’s demise is not just the death of an actor, but the end of an era of Malayalam cinema that made millions laugh, cry and inspire. The dialogues in his films, his amazing comic timing and his roles filled with human sensibilities will always be memorable for generations to come. The curtain may have fallen, but Salim Kumar’s name will always shine in the history of Indian cinema.