‘Void you left will never be filled’: Resul Pookutty, Dileep, Prithviraj mourn Sreenivasan’s death

Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty on Saturday mourned the passing of legendary filmmaker, actor, and writer Sreenivasan, saying the void left by the cinema icon could never be filled.

Taking to X to express his grief, Pookutty wrote, “A face we will never forget, a voice we will never be tired of hearing, the void that you left will never be filled. It’s our collective loss of a voice that constantly tried to converse with us and showed us a world that was ‘different’ — in his own inimitable way.”

The Malayalam film industry woke up to a profound sense of loss on Saturday following Sreenivasan’s demise, with tributes pouring in from across the film fraternity and beyond.

Actor Asif Ali shared a broken-heart emoji on X, writing simply, “Goodbye Legend!”

Prithviraj Sukumaran, in a brief but moving message on Instagram, said, “Adieu to one of the greatest ever writers, director, and actor. Thank you for the laughs and the thoughts. Rest in peace, legend.”

Actor Dileep, in an emotional farewell note, lamented that Sreenivasan would no longer be there to guide him with affection or challenge him with spirited arguments. Saying words failed him, Dileep wrote that the emptiness left behind — both personally and in Malayalam cinema — would be immense.

Renowned playback singer KS Chithra also expressed her condolences, recalling her long association with Sreenivasan’s films. “I was fortunate enough to sing for so many of his movies. My thoughts and prayers are with his family,” she wrote.

Sreenivasan passed away at the Trippunithura Taluk Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments. He was 69.

An undisputed icon of Malayalam cinema, Sreenivasan enjoyed a remarkable career spanning nearly five decades. Known equally for his sharp writing and powerful performances, he redefined storytelling through biting social satire, incisive humour, and deeply human characters.

He acted in nearly 225 films, often portraying the flawed everyman with rare authenticity, leaving an indelible imprint on the industry.

Sreenivasan is survived by his wife Vimala and sons Vineeth Sreenivasan — an acclaimed actor, director, and singer — and Dhyan Sreenivasan, a popular actor.