Beloved award winning actor Salim Kumar died on Saturday (June 6) at the age of 56. He had been rushed to hospital that same day where he was was placed on ventilator support. The news was confirmed by the Government of Kerala, who expressed "profound grief" over the loss of the veteran actor in an official statement. They described him as a "renowned film actor" and highlighted his contributions to Malayalam cinema.

No cause of death has been confirmed but he was undergoing treatment for pneumonia at the time of his death. The actor had also previously revealed he had been battling cirrhosis of the liver for several years and had earlier undergone a liver transplant. He had clarified the condition was hereditary and not linked to alcohol consumption. The star had publicly spoken about the challenges, both emotional and personal, of living with the devastating illness including periods of isolation.

Salim was one of Malayalam cinema's most versatile actors who appeared in more than 300 films throughout his career.

For his portrayal of Abu in Adaminte Makan Abu he earned both the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 2010.

Other awards include the Kerala State Film Award for Supporting Actor for Achanurangatha Veedu (2005), Best Comedian for Ayalum Njanum Thammil (2013), and Best Story for his directorial venture Karutha Joothan (2017).

He is survived by his wife Sunitha and their two sons, Chandu Salim Kumar, who is also an actor, and Aaromal Salim Kumar.

Tributes flooded in for the star as fans learned of the sad news. On Facebook, one wrote: "We are profoundly saddened by the passing of the legendary actor Salim Kumar. His unparalleled acting and iconic dialogues transcended borders, bringing boundless laughter and tears to audiences far beyond Kerala. We bid a heartfelt farewell to a remarkable artist who will forever live in our hearts. May his soul rest in eternal peace."

Another added: "Farewell with tears... A beloved artist who made us laugh a lot and taught us to forget our own sorrows. That laughter will live on forever in the hearts of Malayalis around the world. We share in the grief of the family as they mourn the loss of their beloved one, and our prayers!"

A third chimed in: "Some farewells can silence the heart. The characters we see on screen may end, but the memories they create in us will never fade. Salim Kumar... is not just a name, it is an era."

Meanwhile a fourth shared: "It's really a great loss His death to the Malayalam movie World! I still now remember His joke roles every movie! Prayers for His soul and deepest condolences!"