Kochi: Renowned actor and mimicry artist Salim Kumar (56) has passed away. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Kochi while undergoing treatment for a liver ailment. The cause of death was a cardiac arrest. He had been placed on a ventilator after his health condition deteriorated. The funeral will take place on Sunday evening on his residential premises.

His body will be brought to the Paravur Town Hall on Sunday from 9 am for the public to pay their last respects. Chief Minister V D Satheesan will arrive in Paravur to pay his final tributes.

The departing actor leaves behind a legacy of characters that evoked hearty laughter through comical roles and brought tears to eyes through serious portrayals. Having entered the cinematic world through mimicry stages, Salim Kumar was an actor who handled both comedy and emotional scenes with equal natural flair. He reached the television industry and subsequently the film sector through platforms like Cochin Kalabhavan. ‘Ishtamanu Nooruvattam’ was his debut movie. From then until now, he acted in over 300 films, including Tamil and Bengali productions.

He made Malayalis laugh and also prompted them to think by sharing his stances on various social issues. Beyond his acting career, he also proved his talent as a director and a writer.

In 2000, his role as a thief in ‘Sathyameva Jayathe’, directed by Viji Thampi, garnered attention. It was his performance in this film that prompted the director duo Rafi-Mecartin to cast him in ‘Thenkasipattanam’. Following the success of ‘Thenkasipattanam’, a multitude of Salim Kumar's comedy characters emerged. Characters such as Srank in ‘Mayavi’, Pyarilal in ‘Kalyanaraman’, Dance Master Vikram in ‘Chathikatha Chanthu’, Manavalan in ‘Pulival Kalyanam’ and Advocate Mukundanunni in ‘Meeshamadhavan’ remain highly popular in internet memes today. His performances in films like ‘Achanurangatha Veedu’, ‘Perumazhakalam’ and ‘Gramophone’ stood out as excellent testaments to his acting prowess.

In 2005, Salim Kumar received his first Kerala State Film Award. He was chosen as the Second Best Actor for his performance in ‘Achanurangatha Veedu’. In 2010, he won both the National Film Award and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his role in ‘Adaminte Makan Abu’. In 2012, he also clinched the State Film Award for Best Comedian for the film ‘Ayalum Njanum Thammil’. His directorial debut in 2017, ‘Karutha Joothan’, won the State Film Award for Best Story. In 2018, Salim Kumar also directed the film ‘Daivame Kaithozham K Kumarakanam’, starring Jayaram. Malayalis will always remember his journey from the Kalabhavan stages to the National Film Award podium as a success story forged through sheer hard work.

He was born on October 10, 1969 in Chittatukara, Ernakulam district, as the youngest son of Gangadharan and Kausalya. He married Sunitha on September 14, 1996. Salim Kumar had previously mentioned that it was the very next day, leaving from a relative's house, that he went to act in his debut film ‘Ishtamanu Nooruvattam’. The young actor Chandu and Aromal are his sons.