New Delhi: Veteran Malayalam actor-filmmaker Sreenivasan died on Saturday at a government hospital in Kochi due to cardiac and other ailments. He was 69 years old.
The National Award-winning actor had starred in over 225 films across his five-decade career.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a statement, said Sreenivasan’s passing is an irreparable loss to Malayalam cinema. “Very few filmmakers have succeeded like him in bringing the life of the common man to the silver screen and, through humour and thought, leading the audience to levels of awareness he desired. Sreenivasan broke many long-standing conventions in cinema as he carved his own path,” the CM said.
Some of his iconic works include Aram + Aram = Kinnaram (1985), Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu (1988), Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986), Artham (1989) and Chithram (1988).
Film critic Ramesh Bala praised the actor and his performances, calling humour his biggest tool for his craft.
“These films weren’t just family entertainers or comic roles he played. There was always more to his characters. They were layered. He used humour, especially his trademark political satire, as a sharp cutting tool,” film critic Ramesh Bala told ThePrint.
“He will be terribly missed. His contribution dates back to 30 years, both as an actor and a writer. It’s very difficult to nail both aspects, but he was there doing it all.”
Relatable characters, best scriptwriter
Sreenivasan made his debut with PA Backer’s Manimuzhakkam in 1976. He didn’t shy from doing supporting roles, but there was one common thread.
“His characters were so relatable. He never felt like an actor. It was like watching one of us on the screen,” said film critic P.S Arjun, who is also from Sreenivasan’s hometown, Kannur.
Arjun woke up to the news of Sreenivasan’s demise and has been struggling to accept it. He said that while Sreenivasan’s contribution as an actor cannot be undermined, as a screenwriter, he played a key role in giving Malayalam cinema some of the best stories.
“He was one of the best scriptwriters. Him as a script writer was far bigger and successful as compared to him as an actor,” he said.
His breakthrough screenplay was the 1984-film Odaruthammava Aalariyam (1984). It was followed by classics like Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam (1986), Gandhinagar 2nd Street (1986) and Nadodikkattu (1987).
“Once, in one year, he wrote nine scripts. And, just the way he ‘looked’ like us, his stories were also very relatable. We could connect with them,” he said.
One of Sreenivasan’s most popular works was Sandesham (1991). It was a sharp political satire that was placed inside a family drama.
“This was his mastery. He never played safe,” Arjun added.
Actor and Human Rights Ambassador Sheena Chohan said that when she started her journey in South Indian films, starting with Malayalam films, she was “deeply influenced by Sreenivasan and the extraordinary body of work he leaves behind.”
“His performances were never merely characters on screen; they carried social consciousness, compassion, and truth,” Chohan said.
But beyond his immense contribution as an actor and writer, Chohan underlined how Sreenivasan was a “committed social activist who consistently stood for equality, justice, and dignity—especially for women.”
“Having recently spoken at the International Film Festival of Kerala as a panelist on the female gaze, I am reminded of how progressive and sensitive his storytelling was toward women’s narratives,” she said.
The actor hopes that the industry and moviegoers continue to draw strength from the stories Sreenivasan told, the values he lived by, and the cinema that continues to inspire, uplift, and entertain.
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Sreenivasan and Mammootty
Superstar Mammootty today reached Sreenivasan’s residence in Kochi, soon after his death.
The equation between the two has always been one of mutual respect and iconic collaborations, like Katha Parayumpol (2007) where Sreenivasan’s character was inspired by Mammootty’s personality.
Sreenivasan also lent his voice to Mammootty in multiple films, including Mela (1980).
He also dubbed for Tamil actor Thyagarajan in Oru Muthassi Katha (1988).
One of their iconic collaborations was Mazhayethum Munpe (1995). The film, written by Sreenivasan, was a love triangle story with Mammootty playing the lead. Apart from the box office success, the movie bagged two awards at the Kerala State Film Awards, including one for Sreenivasan for the Best Screenplay.
Sreenivasan is survived by his wife, Vimala Sreenivasan, sons and actors Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dhyan Sreenivasan.