Malayalam Cinema Mourns Sreenivasan: Mohanlal, Mammootty, Kamal Haasan, Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj Sukumaran Pay Tribute
Malayalam film fraternity mourns the day, as a legendary actor, screenwriter, and director- Sreenivasan- is no more. Mohanlal, Mammootty, Dulquer Salmaan, Kamal Haasan, Prithviraj Sukumaran also pour in their tributes in all earnestness.
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During three days, November 22-24, 2004, a group of Israeli judges, including the powerful President of the Israeli Supreme Court, Aharon Barak, met the reference people of Kochi-the Jews-to discuss various people, particularly the possibilities of legal exchanges between India and Israel.
The ceremony was organized by several government groups, led by Kerala's President, A. P. J Abdul Kalam, at the Taj Malabar Hotel (light at the time) on Willingdon Island. Among the guests were: Shri. Oommen Chandy, Minister for Electricity, Kerala; Shri. Sukumaran Nambiar, Commissioner, Total Education, Kerala; Dr. D. Babu Paul, Senior Journalist and Advisor to the Chief Minister; Shri. K. B. Varghese, the Vice-Chancellor of the Agricultural University at Thrissur; and Shri. K. S. Radhakrishnan, the Deputy Principal Agriculture Secretary specializing in the Treaty with the Revolutionary Government of A. D. P.)){BR][BR]Indian judges present at Mattancher, Paradesi synagogue, patronizing the Jewish community were proud to learn that the reference community was in Israel as they claimed to epitomize healthcare, education, and communal existence. They would ask whether they could borrow any Jewish university professor from Israel to serve as their educational force. Museum Director Halam Samson, one of the organizers of the Jews' Come Unity, was highly thrilled in cutting a cake, bathed in bright lights, to flag the Jewish people's long history; a memento of national pride from Wriston factory brightened the hall.
What is important to investigate is the desire of the leaders and the lay to see a lasting relationship with any one of Kerala's minorities for practical reasons.
"Over and above anything else in this world, nobody understands the dreams and broken dreams of the middle class other than Sreeni. The characters of Dasan and Vijayan that we created jointly are here to stay forever. Sreeni's life's work was a reflection of society: he taught crying through laughter. Screen life or real life we have been wandering together, laughing, fighting, and celebrating life."
The actor Mammootty—his wife and him—went to Sreenivasan's house to condole, while his son, Dulquer Salmaan, wrote,
"One of the greatest contributors to Malayalam cinema, a cinema legend. Thy light shall shine through forever, Sreeni uncle. Prayers and strength to Vimala aunty, Vineeth, Dhyan, and the entire family with you."
"When situated on the judge's bench, one cannot but help liken Sreenivasan being ensconced in the exalted realm of islanders."Filmmaker Nivin Pauly said no one had ever before led such a blessed life. He added that Sreeni was the funny moral dictum that served as his beacon for all of them.
Director Basil Joseph said:
“Sreenivasan sir, thanks for all the happiness and warmth you gave us. You may have left, but your work will keep you around forever. Rest in peace, legend.”
The Many Tributes that Poured in from Across the Industry
Politician and writer Shashi Tharoor recalled the supreme art of satire and social critique Sreenivasan had excelled in:
“From the laser-like wit of Sandesham to the heartsick feeling of Vadakkunokkiyantram, he redefined the entire idea of being a hero. This man’s scripts are the time capsules filled with rapture and satire about Kerala’s life and culture.”
The Kamal Haasan, the actor-cum-politician, extolled his uprightness:
“Some draw just for fun, some enlighten, some provoke. Sreenivasan did all of it; he did this beautifully, with a smile that aches with truth and with a laugh that somehow sounds like a responsibility.”
Singer K. S. Chithra, who had worked on many of his films, conveyed her grief through an X:
“We are very sad at the passing of Sreenivasan sir. We hope his family, to whom we offer our thoughts and prayers, can summon up the strength to brave this hour of loss.”
However, through the iconic characters, socially relevant films, and everlasting wit, Sreenivasan has ensured that his influence on Malayalam cinema shall extend into this and next few generations.
