Kerala bid a tearful farewell to Malayalam actor, screenwriter, and director Sreenivasan , who passed away at the age of 72 in Kochi. The funeral of the unique actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker, who made Malayalis laugh and think and gave them unforgettable memories, was held with official honours at his home, Kandanata, at around 11.50 am on Sunday.
The actor died on Saturday morning at the Tripunithura Taluk Hospital in Kochi, at the courtyard of his residence at Kandanad, Udayamperoor in Kochi.
Sreenivasan’s sons, Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dhyan Sreenivasan, performed the last rites. The eldest son, Vineeth, lit the pyre. A paper and pen with the words “May only good things always befall everyone” were placed on Sreenivasan’s body before the pyre was lit. The house and surroundings in Kandanad witnessed extremely emotional moments.
Fans, actors and politicians gathered in large numbers at his residence’ Palazhi’ at Kandanad to pay their last respects to the legendary actor, who redefined Malayalam cinema through his unique acting and compelling stories. Opposition leader VD Satheesan and CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam were among those who attended the funeral.
Keralites are keeping the memory of Sreenivasan in their minds as a filmmaker who brought every aspect of Malayali to the silver screen without any drama. The genius in him brought humour, sarcasm, criticism, romance, friendship, love, sadness, and disappointment to the audience in its intensity through his movies.
Sreenivasan is remembered for his sharp satire and socially relevant storytelling in over 225 films, including classics like Sandesham, Nadodikkattu, and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala. He had a unique talent for presenting the problems of ordinary people with a touch of with a distinctive blend of humor. Malayalis can never forget Gandhinagar Second Street, Nadotikattu, TP Gopalagopalan MA, Sandesh, Vadakkunokkiyanthram and Thalayanamantram. He received the Kerala State Film Award five times. The films Chintavishtaya Shyamala and Vadakkunokkiyanthram, which Sreenivasan wrote, directed and acted in, also received the National Award.
Sreenivasan had been ailing for some time owing to cardiac and other ailments. While travelling for dialysis at Amrita Hospital in Kochi on Saturday morning, Sreenivasan developed breathing difficulties and was shifted to the Government Taluk Hospital, Tripunithura, where he breathed his last.
Described as Malayalam cinema’s “sakalakalavallabhan” (man of many talents) , Sreenivasan, in his career as an actor, screenwriter, producer and director, left an indelible mark on Malayalam cinema. Over a career spanning nearly 50 years, he emerged as one of the most influential creative voices in the film industry, shaping popular cinema through sharp satire, humane storytelling, and socially rooted humour.
Born in Patyam near Thalassery in Kerala’s Kannur district, Sreenivasan grew up in a modest household. His father was a schoolteacher, and his mother was a homemaker. He graduated in economics from PRNSS College, Mattanur.
He made his acting debut in Manimuzhakkam (1976), directed by P A Backer, and went on to play his first lead role in Sanghaganam (1979). However, it was as a writer that he truly left his mark. His first screenplay, Odaruthammava Aalariyam (1984), announced a new voice in Malayalam cinema.
Sreenivasan was often referred to as a comedian, but he had played a wide range of roles in his films, ranging from the hero’s sidekick to characters that could move the audience to tears. Often, he could make you laugh and cry in the same film, as in Vadakku Nokki Yanthram, in which he played the role of a man with a severe inferiority complex about his looks.
His writing blended humour with political and social critique, most powerfully seen in Sandesam (1991), a biting satire on political opportunism that earned him a Kerala State Film Award.
Noted for his sharp social satire and deeply humane storytelling, Sreenivasan’s contributions as both a performer and writer shaped several phases of modern Malayalam cinema.
As a screenwriter, Sreenivasan was known for several notable Malayalam films, including Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam, TP Balagopalan MA, Gandhinagar Second Street, Nadodikkattu, Thalayana Manthram, Golanthara Vartha, Champakulam Thachan, Varavelpu, Udayananu Tharam, Mazhayethum Munpe, Azhakiya Ravanan, Oru Maravathoor Kanavu, Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu, Kadha Parayumbol and Njan Prakashan.
Sreenivasan is survived by his wife, Vimala, and his sons, Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dhyan Sreenivasan, both established figures in the Malayalam film industry.