The world of Malayalam cinema was plunged into mourning on Saturday with the passing of its beloved icon, Sreenivasan. The veteran actor, screenwriter, director, and producer died at the age of 69, bringing an end to a remarkable career that profoundly shaped the industry for decades.
A Wave of Grief and Official Tributes
The news triggered an immediate outpouring of sorrow from across Kerala and beyond, with political leaders and colleagues expressing their heartfelt condolences. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan led the tributes, issuing a statement that framed the loss as monumental for Malayalam cinema.
In a press release from the Chief Minister's Office, Vijayan stated, "The passing of Sreenivasan is an irreparable loss to Malayalam cinema." He praised the multi-faceted artist for his unparalleled ability to depict everyday life. "Very few filmmakers have succeeded, as he did, in bringing the life of the common man to the silver screen and in guiding the audience, through humour and reflection, to levels of awareness he intended," the CM added.
Vijayan also reflected on Sreenivasan's unique versatility, noting he established his individuality in story, screenplay, direction, and acting. The CM personally recalled a warm conversation with the artist, describing his death as a "personal loss."
Condolences from Across the Spectrum
Other prominent figures joined in mourning. Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar offered condolences on social media, praying for his soul to attain 'mukti'. Kerala Minister V Sivankutty called it one of the greatest losses ever for Malayalam cinema, stating "The 'Sri' of Malayalam cinema fades away."
Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer highlighted Sreenivasan's rare talent for conveying socially conscious themes through simple, touching presentations. "Even time itself will not be able to fill the void created by his demise," Shamseer's statement read.
Remembering the Artist and the Friend
Fellow actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh shared poignant memories of his strong friendship with Sreenivasan. He emphasized the late icon's frank nature and uncompromising stance on cinema. "Not even once have I had even a minor misunderstanding with Sreenivasan. Even his laughter had a uniqueness of its own," Mukesh told the media.
He revealed that their collaborative wish led to the joint production of the film 'Katha Parayumpol'. Mukesh cherished their time together as "golden moments" and noted that even criticism in Sreenivasan's films was delivered with humour.
Final Homage and Funeral Arrangements
As per details shared by actor-writer Renji Panicker, Sreenivasan's mortal remains were first taken to his residence. They were then moved to the Town Hall in Thiruvananthapuram to allow the public to pay their last respects. The public viewing was scheduled to begin at 1 PM on Saturday.
The demise of Sreenivasan marks the end of an era. His legacy, built on characters that resonated deeply with the Malayali psyche and stories that reflected the struggles and hopes of ordinary people, ensures he will remain an immortal figure in the annals of Indian regional cinema.
