NORTH PARAVUR: Expressing deep emotional grief over the demise of National Award-winning actor Salim Kumar, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan stated that the actor was not just a cinema star to him, but a brother and an integral member of his family.
“I am at a loss for words. Just a few days ago, he attended a public reception hosted for me by the people of Paravur. That turned out to be his final public appearance. There was pure joy on his face. That smile on his tired face remains etched in my heart, and in the hearts of everyone in Paravur,” Satheesan said.
The Pride of Paravur and a Man of Conviction
Satheesan remembered Salim Kumar as the true pride of North Paravur. He highlighted the actor’s rare courage to openly voice his political allegiance to the Congress party on public platforms without expecting any rewards or positions in return, at a time when many in the film industry hesitated to take a political stand. Born into an ordinary family that faced financial hardships and poverty, Salim Kumar rose to the absolute pinnacle of Indian cinema, winning the National Film Award for Best Actor. His acclaimed movie even went on to become India’s official entry for the Academy Awards.
The Mandatory Campaign Lifeline
The Chief Minister fondly recollected that it was a long-standing tradition for Salim Kumar to inaugurate his election committee offices. The actor considered this his exclusive right and joyfully took up the responsibility in every single election, including the most recent one. No one else celebrated Satheesan’s political victories and promotions as selflessly as his dear “brother” Salim Kumar.
Salim Kumar was a rare gem who proved that he could handle devastatingly deep character roles just as easily as slapstick comedy. As much as he made the audience laugh, he made them weep with equal intensity through his emotional depth. He was the perfect embodiment of a transparent, grounded human being from Paravur—reflecting the true thoughts and behavior of its local people. After spending a lifetime making everyone smile, he has now left everyone in tears. Extending his deepest condolences to Salim Kumar’s wife, Sunitha, and their children, Satheesan concluded that he prefers to remember the legendary artist as someone who will eternally keep us smiling.
