Kochi | Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Sunday paid homage to National Award-winning actor Salim Kumar, who passed away following pneumonia-related complications.
Satheesan, who shared a close personal bond with Kumar, paid his respects at the North Paravur Town Hall, where the actor's mortal remains were kept for public viewing.
The Chief Minister later met and interacted with Kumar's family members.
Speaking to reporters, Satheesan said Kumar possessed a unique sense of humour that could bring comfort to the people of Kerala even during the most difficult and tense situations.
"For Malayalis, Salim Kumar was always a familiar presence in their homes and family gatherings, a person who brought happiness and laughter. But he proved that he was much more than a comedy actor. Through 'Adaminte Makan Abu', he demonstrated his extraordinary talent, won the National Award and made all of us proud," Satheesan said.
He said that with the rise of social media, almost every popular humorous post and meme carried traces of Salim Kumar's comedy.
"For Malayalis, humour meant personalities like Adoor Bhasi and Bahadoor in an earlier generation, and in the modern era, Salim Kumar became part of that legacy," he said.
The Chief Minister said Kumar's demise was a personal loss to him.
"I have lost someone who was like a brother. Ever since I first came to Paravur and began contesting elections, I have shared a deep bond with him and his family," he said.
"Whenever I contested elections, he would cancel even his shooting schedules and stay with me from the day I filed my nomination until the election results were declared. Only then would he leave. After that, he would never come seeking anything. Rather, I would have to call him," Satheesan said.
The Congress leader said Kumar had inaugurated his election committee office in every election he contested.
"Towards the end, he would say that it was his right to do so. I would tell him that I would never invite anyone else for the inauguration and that only Salim Kumar would do it," he said.
Satheesan said Kumar remained steadfast in his political beliefs throughout his life.
"No matter how turbulent the circumstances were, he never diluted his political convictions. I am proud of my friend. From his student days until his last breath, he remained committed to his political ideals and to the Congress ideology. That is what made him different," he said.
Satheesan recalled that the last public programme he attended with Kumar was the civic reception accorded to him in North Paravur after he was sworn in as Chief Minister.
"I never imagined that such a farewell would come so suddenly," he said.
The Chief Minister said he was not expressing a formal condolence to Kumar's family because he considered himself part of that family.
"I am a member of that family. I will stand with them, and all of us will stand with them. At this moment, I share the grief and sorrow felt by everyone gathered here and by the public at large," he said.
A large number of people, including members of the film fraternity and political leaders, gathered at the North Paravur Town Hall to pay their last respects to the actor.
The last rites will be held at his residence near the Town Hall later in the evening.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) general secretary M A Baby said that although Kumar was associated with the Congress, he never hesitated to express his political beliefs openly.
"We shared a very close personal relationship. He had even come to Kollam district to campaign for the Congress during elections. He used to say that he would campaign for the Congress anywhere, but would never campaign against me," Baby said.
Describing Kumar as a remarkable talent, Baby said his loss was irreparable.
"His loss is an irreparable one for the world of arts, the film industry and all of us," he said.
