Malayalam actor Salim Kumar cremated with State honours

Cheif Minister VD Satheesan pays his last respects to actor Salim Kumar at the North Paravur Municipal Town Hall in Ernakulam on Sunday, June 7, 2026. | Photo Credit: RK Nithin

Malayalam actor-filmmaker Salim Kumar, who started out as an impersonator and won the National Award for Best Actor for his inspiring career.He was cremated with State ceremonies on Sunday, June 7, 2026, in his hometown, North Paravur in Ernakulam district.

The funeral of the 57-year-old actor, who died of a heart attack while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kochi on Saturday, June 6, 2026, was held at his residence Laughing Villa in Chittattukara, with the State bidding an emotional farewell to the artist who never failed to evoke laughter both on and off screen. The funeral pyre was lit by Salim Kumar’s sons Chanthu and Aromal at 3.45 pm. Religious rituals were avoided considering Salim Kumar’s wish conveyed to his family.

Thousands of people, including his colleagues in the film industry, political leaders and fans from across the state, paid their last respects to the actor throughout the day, when his body was held for public viewing from 9 am to 2 pm at the North Paravur Municipal Town Hall and later at his home. District Collector G. Priyanka laid a wreath on the body on behalf of the State government.

In memory of actor Salim Kumar, a flex hoarding has been installed at Paravur Town Hall, where his body is kept, for public respect. Despite the heavy rain, thousands of people gathered in Paravur and said goodbye to the popular actor. | Photo Credit: RK Nithin

Pays his last respects

Chief Minister VD Satheesan paid his last respects to Salim Kumar at the town hall and also attended the funeral. He remembered Salim Kumar as someone with whom he shared a “brotherly bond”. All India Congress Committee general secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal MP, Vice President Shanimol Osman, Culture Minister PC Vishnunadh, Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, MLA Ramesh Pisharody, an actor, and producer Anto Joseph were among those who attended the funeral, along with Salim Kumar’s long-time friends from the film industry.

Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi, Ministers of State Roji M. John and VE Abdul Gafoor, MPs Benny Behanan, Kodikkunnil Suresh and Jebi Mather, CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam, MLAs Anwar Sadath and Mohammed Shiyas, former MLA KN Unnikrishnan, actors Jayaram, Navya Nair, Shweta Menon, Renji Panicker, Nadirshah, Harisree Ashokan, Dileep, Sunny Wayne, Tiny Tom and Baburaj, filmmakers Kamal, Chidambaram and Mahesh Narayanan and writer Benny P. Nayarambalam were among those who paid their last respects to Salim Kumar.

Actors Mohanlal and Mammootty, who are out of state, took to social media to express their condolences over the death of their colleague. Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan, former Minister P. Rajeeve and Bharatiya Janata Party State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar (MLA) were also among those who condoled the death of the actor.