Mumbai: The Malayalam cinema is mourning over the death of one of its most respected and influential voices Sreenivasan. The celebrated actor, screenwriter and filmmaker breathed his last on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the age of 69, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped storytelling in Indian cinema.
When the devastating news emerged, fans, political leaders and members of the film fraternity turned to the social media and posted their condolences and tributes to a man whose acute satire and real-life stories resonated across generations.
What caused Sreenivasan’s death
According to reports, Sreenivasan passed away at around 8:30 am at Tripunithura Taluk Hospital in Kochi. He had also been struggling with long-term health problems and was seeking treatment of age-related illnesses.
On the morning of his death, the actor was reportedly being taken for a scheduled dialysis session when he experienced severe physical distress. He was rushed to the hospital in Thrippunithura, where doctors declared him dead shortly after arrival. The entire news was shocking to most people though his health struggles were not new.
Soon after the news broke, condolence messages flooded social media. Fans remembered him for his sharp wit and relatable characters, while fellow actors and filmmakers acknowledged his unmatched contribution to Malayalam cinema. Political leaders also expressed sorrow, highlighting how his films mirrored society with courage and intelligence.
Sreenivasan’s family and personal life
Sreenivasan’s wife Vimala is a former school teacher who has mostly been out of the limelight, and she survives Sreenivasan. She was the quiet strength and she stood by him in his long career and during his health problems.
The couple was blessed with two sons, both of whom are popular names in Malayalam cinema. Vineeth Sreenivasan was born in 1984 and is a successful actor, director, singer and producer. The films he is most known by include Hridayam, Varshangalkku Shesham, Oru Jaathi Jaatakam and many others. In 2012, Vineeth got married to Divya Narayanan and have two children; a son Vihaan and a daughter Shanaya.
Their younger son Dhyan Sreenivasan born in 1988 is also an actor and director. His first acting appearance was with Thira in 2013, directed by his own brother Vineeth. In 2017, Dhyan got married to Arpita Sebastian and together they have a daughter. The family is yet to release an official statement.
A towering legacy in Malayalam cinema
Born on April 6, 1956, Sreenivasan was a cornerstone of Malayalam cinema for nearly five decades. He appeared in more than 225 movies and was considered to be one of the greatest screenwriters ever made in the industry.
His writing gave Malayalam cinema some of its most iconic films, including Sandesam, Nadodikkattu, Udayamanu Tharam and Njan Prakashan. As a director he produced works that were critically praised such as Vadakkunokkiyanthram and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala, works that mixed the humour with serious social commentary. Sreenivasan’s storytelling was known for its realism, satire and fearless commentary on society. His characters were believable, imperfect and very human, and this is why his work lives timelessly.
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