Condoling the loss of one of India’s greatest filmmakers, Tamil film actor and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan expressed his “respects to a remarkable mind” upon the passing of Sreenivasan.
In a touching tribute on his X timeline, Kamal Haasan wrote, “Some artists entertain, some enlighten, some provoke. #Sreenivasan did it all, with a smile that carried truth and a laugh that carried responsibility. My respects to a remarkable mind. Deepest condolences to his family and admirers.”
Tamil actress Khushbu also shared her condolences on X, stating, “Deeply saddened at the demise of a great actor and a fantastic writer of Malayalam cinema, Shri #Srinivasan Sir. He defied the norms of regular movie making and has delivered gems. More so he was a very loved and respected person. His common man’s image made him every household’s favourite man. He will be truly missed. Rest in peace Sir. #omshanthi #srinivasan.”
Malayalam actress Kalyani Priyadarshan, whose father Priyadarshan was a close friend of Sreenivasan, posted a tribute on her Instagram stories. Sharing a picture of her father with Sreenivasan, she recalled, “I have always said that there are a few friendships I watched growing up that made me want to get into cinema and work the way my dad did. And one of them was undoubtedly theirs.”
Kalyani added, “I grew up loving his work. It was always around me and without even realizing it then, it became one of the reasons I chose this path. This feels like a loss for cinema. It feels like a loss for my family. Rest in peace dear legend… You will always be cherished.”
For those who may not know, Sreenivasan was an iconic figure in Malayalam cinema, known for his versatile roles as an actor, writer, and director. He passed away at the age of 69 at the Trippunithura Taluk Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment for age-related illness.
Sreenivasan is survived by his wife, Vimala, and his sons, Vineeth Sreenivasan, an acclaimed director, actor, and singer, and Dhyan Sreenivasan, a popular actor.
A remarkable talent, Sreenivasan appeared in nearly 225 films, showcasing his abilities as both a comedian and a leading man, often embodying the flawed everyman with unmatched authenticity.