Padmarajan is considered one of the greatest filmmakers Malayalam cinema has ever witnessed, and the magic of his films continues to reverberate even today. His filmography remains a glorious chapter in the annals of the Malayalam film industry.

Whether it be Kariyilakkattu Pole, Thoovanathumbikal, or Njan Gandharvan, the man’s mastery over his craft left the cinema world in astonishment. Such was its class and flair!

However, the cinematic genius passed away at the age of 45 owing to a massive cardiac arrest, leaving a vacuum that is hard to fill in Malayalam cinema.

What has now caught the attention of cinephiles is director Sibi Malayil’s painful narration of the events that ensued on the day of Padmarajan’s death.

In an interview with The Cue Studio, Sibi Malayil recalled the incident that also involved Mohanlal — it all happened during the shoot of their film Bharatham. “Lal told me he had planned to go home to see his mother that day but stayed back because Padmarajan sir was arriving,” the veteran director recalled. “Padmarajan and Goodknight Mohan had gone to Kannur for theatre visits after Njan Gandharvan released, and they were due to stay the night in Kozhikode before returning. Lal thought he would meet him the next morning and then leave,” Sibi Malayil remembered.

The director then went on to describe the heartbreaking moment. “The next morning, I was having breakfast with Murali and Gopi when Lal ran in, saying Pappettan wasn’t waking up. I assumed he was simply sleeping after a late night, but Lal insisted we go immediately. At the Paramount Hotel, we found he had passed away. After the incident, Lohithadas (Lohi) was taken to the hotel, and then we all stayed with Pappettan’s body,” he emotionally recalled.

The world of art still continues to mourn the loss of Padmarajan. Alongside Bharathan and K. G. George, he spearheaded a revolutionary movement in Malayalam cinema during the 1980s. His brilliance across multiple creative domains has left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations.

Padmarajan lives on in the memories of film lovers.