Sreenivasan passed away at the age of 69 on Saturday, December 20, 2025, in Kochi, Kerala. He had been battling with cardiac health issues and died after experiencing breathing difficulties while being taken for routine dialysis. His mortal remains were kept at the Ernakulam Town Hall for public homage, where several film industry leaders and political figures, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, paid their respects.
Who was Sreenivasan?
Sreenivasan was born on April 6, 1956, and was 69 years old at the time of his death on December 20, 2025. He was a legendary Indian actor, screenwriter, director, and producer who remained a central figure in Malayalam cinema for nearly five decades. He was widely known for his sharp social satire, dark humour, and realistic portrayal of the common man’s struggles.
Sreenivasan Early Life
Sreenivasan was born in Patyam, a village near Thalassery in the Kannur district of Kerala’s North Malabar region. He had a sister and two brothers. His mother was a homemaker, and his father was a school teacher.
Sreenivasan Education
Sreenivasan had a strong academic background in economics along with formal training in filmmaking. He completed his schooling at Kuthuparamba Middle School and Government High School, Kadirur. He later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Pazhassi Raja N.S.S. College, Mattanur, affiliated with the University of Calicut at the time.
In 1977, he joined the Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu (M.G.R. Government Film and Television Training Institute) in Chennai, where he completed a diploma in film acting and studied with now a superstar Rajinikanth.
Sreenivasan Age
Veteran Malayalam actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker Sreenivasan passed away on December 20, 2025, at the age of 69.
Sreenivasan Wife
The wife of legendary Malayalam actor and screenwriter Sreenivasan is Vimala Sreenivasan. She is a retired school teacher and was married to Sreenivasan on January 13, 1984.
Sreenivasan Son
Veteran Malayalam actor and director Sreenivasan had two sons, Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dhyan Sreenivasan. Both are well-known figures in the Malayalam film industry.
Vineeth Sreenivasan (Elder Son): He was born in 1984, Vineeth is a versatile artist known as a playback singer, actor, writer, director, and producer. He made his singing debut with Kilichundan Mampazham (2003) and later directed popular films such as Thattathin Marayathu, Hridayam, and Varshangalkku Shesham. He married Divya Narayanan in 2012, and the couple has two children, Vihaan and Shanaya.
Dhyan Sreenivasan (Younger Son): He was born on December 20, 1988, Dhyan is an actor, director, and screenwriter. He made his acting debut in Thira (2013), directed by Vineeth, and later directed the hit film Love Action Drama (2019). He married Arpita Sebastian in 2017, and they have a daughter.
Sreenivasan Career
Sreenivasan appeared in over 225 films, making his debut with Manimuzhakkam (1977). He was widely remembered for iconic characters such as “Thalathil Dineshan” in Vadakkunokkiyanthram.
Writing: He penned some of the most influential screenplays in Malayalam cinema, including the political satire Sandesham (1991), the “Dasan and Vijayan” series (Nadodikkattu), and the blockbuster Njan Prakashan (2018).
Directing: He directed critically acclaimed films such as Vadakkunokkiyanthram (1989) and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (1998), the latter winning a National Film Award.
Sreenivasan Net Worth
Sreenivasan worked in the Malayalam film industry for nearly 50 years as an actor, director, and screenwriter. According to reports, he left behind assets worth between ₹8.9 crore and ₹44.7 crore for his family.
Sreenivasan Awards
Sreenivasan received several honours during his career, including one National Film Award, two Filmfare Awards South, and six Kerala State Film Awards. Films directed by him, such as Vadakkunokkiyanthram and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala, won both state and national awards. He also received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Screenplay for Sandesham and Mazhayethum Munpe.
What happened to actor Sreenivasan?
Malayalam actor and writer Sreenivasan faced serious health issues, including a cardiac arrest in March 2022 that required bypass surgery. He later showed significant recovery and gradually returned to work, though some reports noted speech difficulties following the surgery, which affected his public appearances and interviews. He was hospitalised in Kochi, underwent surgery at Apollo Adlux Hospital, and was discharged in stable condition, continuing his recovery thereafter.
What is the disease that actor Sreenivasan has?
Sreenivasan suffered from serious health issues, primarily a cardiac condition known as triple vessel disease, which led to emergency bypass surgery in March 2022. He also experienced complications such as infections and ventilator support. Earlier reports mentioned accelerated hypertension, diabetes, and a past stroke (CVA). His post-surgery health struggles affected his speech and cognition, prompting concern among fans and requests for privacy from his family.
The big ‘Sreenivasan’ controversy in Malayalam cine
The “big Sreenivasan controversy” in Malayalam cinema involves multiple issues, including his outspoken criticism of fellow actors, his controversial support for actor Dileep during the actress assault case, and his strong remarks against the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) and industry pay disparities. These views sparked intense debate and backlash, highlighting his role as an influential yet polarising figure in the industry.
What is the problem between Sreenivasan and Mohanlal?
Sreenivasan had revealed that Prem Nazir had given Mohanlal a script and expressed his wish to direct a film with him in the lead role. According to Sreenivasan, Mohanlal allegedly made light of Nazir’s ambitions and questioned why he wanted to take up new projects at that stage of his life.
Is Sreenivasan a smoker?
It has been some time since Malayalam cinema saw a film scripted by Sreenivasan. Reports suggest that he stopped writing films and also gave up chain smoking following health concerns. After consulting a doctor, he was reportedly shown scan reports that revealed severe damage to his lungs, prompting lifestyle changes.
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