The Malayalam film industry gathered in solemn tribute on Sunday as veteran actor, screenwriter, and director Sreenivasan was laid to rest in Kochi. The cinematic luminary, who passed away at age 89 on Saturday, was honored by hundreds of mourners including prominent film personalities, political leaders, and devoted fans.
Emotional scenes unfolded at Sreenivasan’s Kandanad residence where crowds converged to pay their final respects. The funeral procession witnessed an outpouring of grief from across Kerala’s cultural and political spectrum. Among the notable attendees were actors Parvathy Thiruvothu, Renji Panicker, Sathyan Anthikkad, Jagadish, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, who joined collective mourning for the departed icon.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan issued an official statement characterizing Sreenivasan’s demise as “an irreparable loss to Malayalam cinema.” The CM praised the multitalented artist’s unique ability to “bring the life of the common man to the silver screen” through his distinctive blend of humor and social commentary. “Very few filmmakers have succeeded, as he did, in guiding the audience through humor and reflection to levels of awareness he intended,” Vijayan noted.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar joined the condolences, acknowledging Sreenivasan’s “iconic performances and timeless contributions” that would be “remembered forever.” The veteran artist’s passing has sparked widespread reflection on his groundbreaking career that challenged cinematic conventions and established new narrative standards in South Indian cinema.
Social media platforms flooded with tributes from colleagues and admirers, documenting the profound impact of his work spanning acting, writing, and directing. The ceremony concluded with cremation proceedings attended by family members, colleagues, and representatives from state government offices.