Master Craftsman Of Malayalam Cinema, Sreenivasan Passes Away At 69
The actor has won the Kerala State Film Award six times, two Film Fare Awards south and a national award
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Actor, screenwriter, and director Sreenivasan (69) passed away in Thrippunithura, Ernakulam district, on Saturday.
He left home this morning for dialysis at a private hospital in Kochi, but his condition worsened en route, and he was taken to the nearest Taluk Hospital in Thripunnithura, where doctors declared him dead. His wife, Vimala, was with him at the time.
Sreenivasan had been undergoing treatment for a long period.
Sreenivasan was a brilliant artist who could make Malayalis laugh and reflect at the same time. Over his remarkable 48-year career, he acted in more than two hundred films. He had a rare gift for portraying the struggles of ordinary people with humor and warmth. Many of his classics have become woven into the fabric of Malayali life, with timeless hits like Gandhinagar Second Street, Nadodikkattu, TP Gopalakrishnan MA, Sandesham, Vadakkunokkiyanthram, and Thalayanamanthram standing out as all-time favorites.
The actor has won the Kerala State Film Award six times, two Film Fare Awards south and a national award. Chintavisthaya Shyamala bagged the national award for best film on other social issues. Sreenivasan was known for his sharp political commentary, regardless of ideology. Sandesham was one such film that humorously critiqued both the Left and the Congress.
Born on April 6, 1956, in Pattiom near Thalassery, Sreenivasan completed his schooling at Kathiroor Government School and graduated from Pazhassiraja NSS College. He later studied cinema at the Film and Television Institute in Madras, where he trained alongside several luminaries, including Rajinikanth. Sreenivasan made his acting debut in 1977 with P. A. Bakkar's *Manimuzhakam*. Starting out with small roles, he went on to collaborate on a record 15 films with director Sathyan Anthikkad, most of which were major hits. He also delivered several successful films with directors Priyadarshan and Kamal.
Sreenivasan penned the scripts for numerous hit films such as Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam, TP Balagopalan MA, Gandhinagar Second Street, Nadodikattu, Thalayana Manthram, Golantharavartha, Champakulam Thachan, Varavelpu, Sanstha, Udayanan Thara, Mazhayethum Munpe, Azhakiya Ravanan, Oru Maravathoor Kanavu, Aju Kathayezhuthukayanu, and Katha Parayumbol, among others.
Known for speaking his mind on issues affecting Malayalees, he was also actively involved in discussions on social and political matters beyond the world of cinema.
He sparked a strong discussion about the harmful effects of chemicals and pesticides in food, especially in fruits and vegetables. The actor was a strong supporter of organic farming and even gave it a try himself.
Sreenivasan is survived by his wife Vimala, and his sons – actor, director, and singer Vineeth Sreenivasan, and actor, director, and producer Dhyan Sreenivasan.
The funeral of the late actor and director Sreenivasan will take place on Sunday morning. Director Renji Panicker told the media it will be held at his residence in Kandadu at 10 a.m.
