Kochi: Veteran Malayalam actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker Sreenivasan passed away in the early hours of Saturday, November 20. He was 69. Hospital authorities said he died at the Tripunithura Taluk Hospital in Kerala, where he had been undergoing treatment for multiple health issues for a prolonged period.
Sreenivasan was one of the most influential figures in Malayalam cinema, with a career spanning nearly five decades. Known widely for his sharp satire, he used cinema as a powerful medium to reflect social realities, political contradictions, and cultural changes. Over the years, he established himself as a distinctive voice as an actor, writer and director.
As an actor, Sreenivasan appeared in around 225 films. He was best remembered for portraying ordinary men from middle-class backgrounds, often grappling with financial strain, social pressure, and personal dilemmas. His performances resonated strongly with audiences for their realism and emotional depth.
Following his death, tributes poured in from across the film industry and public life. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described Sreenivasan’s passing as an irreparable loss to Malayalam cinema, noting that he was among the rare talents who excelled in every aspect of filmmaking. The Chief Minister said Sreenivasan brought the life of the common man to the screen with humour and insight, helping audiences reflect on society while breaking long-standing cinematic conventions.
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. pic.twitter.com/VNp9bkO7gh
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) December 20, 2025
Actor Rajinikanth also paid tribute, recalling Sreenivasan as a close friend and former classmate from the Film Institute. He remembered him as an exceptional actor and a deeply humane individual, and expressed shock at his passing.
Sreenivasan’s most enduring contribution to Malayalam cinema was as a screenwriter. He wrote scripts for several landmark films, including Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam, TP Balagopalan MA, Gandhinagar Second Street, Nadodikkattu, Thalayana Manthram, Golanthara Vartha, Champakulam Thachan, Varavelpu, Udayananu Tharam, Mazhayethum Munpe, Azhakiya Ravanan, Oru Maravathoor Kanavu, Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu, Kadha Parayumbol, and Njan Prakashan. Many of these films explored themes such as unemployment, corruption, social hypocrisy, and the evolving values of Kerala’s middle class.
One of his most discussed works remains Sandesham released in 1991. The political satire examined party politics and ideological conflicts and continues to be referenced in public discourse, widely regarded as one of Malayalam cinema’s most incisive political commentaries.
Malayalam cinema won’t be the same without the genius of #Sreenivasan. From the satirical bites of “Sandesham”to the raw emotion of “Vadakkunokkiyantram”, he taught us to laugh at ourselves while thinking deeper. A true master of the craft who redefined what it means to be a… pic.twitter.com/UexfK95Une
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) December 20, 2025
Sreenivasan also made his mark as a director. Films such as Vadakkunokkiyanthram and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala, which he both wrote and directed, earned State and National Film Awards and were praised for their strong character-driven narratives and social relevance.
He is survived by his wife, Vimala, and their two sons, Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dhyan Sreenivasan. Vineeth is a director, actor, and singer, while Dhyan is an actor. Sreenivasan’s legacy lives on through his films, which continue to mirror society with honesty, wit, and compassion.
