Salim Kumar (born 10 October 1969) is an Indian actor, comedian, director and writer in Malayalam cinema.[1] Mostly known for his comic and comedy roles, Salim Kumar is considered one of the best and most prominent comedians in the history of Malayalam cinema.[2]

Salim Kumar
Salim Kumar receiving Kerala State Film Award in 2011
Born (1969-10-10) 10 October 1969 (age 55)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
Years active1996–present
SpouseSunitha
Children2
AwardsNational Film Awards (2010)
Kerala State Film Awards (2005, 2010, 2013, 2016)
Filmfare Awards South (2011)

In his later career, Salim Kumar also found success in playing character roles and won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 2010 for his role in Adaminte Makan Abu (which also won the year's Kerala State Film Award). His directorial film Karutha Joothan won the 2017 Kerala State Film Award for Best Story. He has also won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for Achanurangatha Veedu (2005) and a Kerala State Television Award for Best Actor (2013).[3]

Early life

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Salim Kumar was born on 10 October 1969 in North Paravur, as the youngest son of Gangadharan and Kausalya. He once told an interviewer that his father was an atheist and a follower of the veteran social reformer Sahodaran Ayyappan, who was also from North Paravur, and so named his son Salim Kumar to avoid religious associations.

Kumar attended the Govt. Lower Primary School, Chittattukara North Paravur; went to high school at the Govt. Boys High School, North Paravur; and completed his pre-degree education at Sree Narayana Mangalam College Malyankara, Moothakunnam. He wanted to become a singer at a young age but later took up Mimicry. He graduated with a BA from Maharajas College, Ernakulam where he won the university's Mimicry title thrice. He started his stage career at Kalabhavan. He was also a performer in Comicola, a comedy program on Asianet. For about four years, he was associated with professional drama in Arathi Theatres, Kochi.

Film career

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Before entering into Malayalam film industry, Salim Kumar was chosen as host for a comedy programme called Comicola broadcast on Asianet. He made his debut in Malayalam cinema with the 1997 family drama Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam, directed by Siddique Shameer.[4] After doing some minor roles in numerous movies, Sibi Malayil offered Salim Kumar a role in his movie Nee Varuvolam. However he was sent back from the location by the production controller by saying that his acting was not right. He was later replaced by Indrans to do the role.[5] He was later noted for his performance in the movie Satyameva Jayathe, which was released in 2000. After getting impressed with his performance in Satyameva Jayathe, director Rafi Meccartin offered Salim a role in his movie Thenkasipattanam, which was a major breakthrough in his film career. It was one of the highest grossing movie of 2000.[6] In the movie One Man Show, he played the memorable role of a patient escaped from mental hospital. Salim Kumar then found success while acting along with Dileep. In some movies, the duo is joined by Harishree Ashokan. In the 2001 slapstick comedy movie Ee Parakkum Thalika, he played the role of cook Koshi while in the 2002 cult comedy movie Meesa Madhavan, he did the role of Advocate Mukundan Unni.[7] He is also remembered for his performances alongside Cochin Haneefa in Mazhathullikkilukkam and Kunjikkoonan. In the movie Kalyanaraman, Salim Kumar played the role of Pyaari, which is considered one of the finest comedy performance in his career.[8] He played one of the lead roles in the 2002 slapstick comedy film Bamboo Boys alongside Kalabhavan Mani, Cochin Haneefa and Harishree Ashokan.

Salim Kumar probably played some of the most memorable comedy roles in his career in 2003. He played the character of a psychic mental patient in the classic cult movie C.I.D. Moosa. His role as Omanakkuttan in Thilakkam, Usman in Kilichundan Mampazham alongside Mohanlal and S.I. Gabbar Keshavan in Pattalam which starred Mammootty were memorable ones.[9] It was in the romantic-comedy movie Pulival Kalyanam that Salim Kumar played the most memorable character in his career. Most of the critics acclaims this character called Manavalan as the best comedy character played by Salim Kumar. The many expressions of Manavalan, including his helpless face, his coy smile and act as a rich man smoking pipe later developed a cult following in Kerala troll community and are widely used in memes.[10][11]

Alongside Jayasurya, Salim Kumar's other famous role is Dance Master Vikram in the movie Chathikkatha Chandu (2004). One of the other popular character played by Salim Kumar came out in the 2007 Mammootty movie Mayavi. His character called Kannan Srank/Ashan has been widely used in Malayalam memes.[12]

Salim Kumar's potential to do the character roles were revealed in 2004, after receiving critical acclaim for his role in the Kamal movie Perumazhakkalam. Though slightly comedic, the role was realistic, allowing him to display different acting skills. His role as the father in Achanurangatha Veedu (2005), directed by Lal Jose, was a major break in his acting career, when he was able to shrug off the usual idiot-fool-illiterate comedic roles for which he seemed destined. The role won him the Kerala State Film Awards for Second Best Actor. He was then declared the winner of the National Award for Best Actor for his performance in Adaminte Makan Abu in 2010.[13]

Some of his other popular roles were Raajakkannu in Thommanum Makkalum, Umakandan in Pandippada, Chidhambaram in Hallo, Naranimangalam Narayanan in Romeo, Inspector Shyamalan in Annan Thampi and Maakri Gopalan in Chattambinaadu.

Salim Kumar appeared in a hip-hop number in Vineeth Srinivasan's album "Coffee @ MG Road - Palavattam" (2008). It was an instant hit and developed a cult following.[14]

Salim Kumar later ventured into direction, directing documentaries[15] and feature-length dramas that were well received by critics.[15] Karutha Joothan (2017), which is written and directed by Salim Kumar won the award for the Best Story at the 47th Kerala State Film Awards.[16] His next directorial effort was Daivame Kaithozham K. Kumar Akanam (2018), starring Jayaram in the lead role.[17]

Personal life

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Kumar lives in North Paravur-Ernakulam District, in a house called "Laughing Villa". He and his wife Sunitha have two sons, Chandu and Aaromal.[18] He is a member of Indian National Congress in Kerala. He has written a memoir called Ishwara Vazhakkillello. He conducts a mimicry troupe, Cochin Stallions, which introduced cine-serial actor Ramesh Pisharody and many other talents.[19] His son Chandhu acted in the film Manjummel Boys. [20]

Filmography

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Malayalam

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1990s

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Year Title Role Notes
1991 Sandesham Cameo (Uncredited Role)
1996 Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam First Lead Movie
1997 Ishtadanam Unnikuttan
Moonu Kodiyum Munnooru Pavanum Mattanchery Mathen
Ancharakalyanam
Mannadiar Penninu Chenkotta Checkan Kizhi
Adukkala Rahasyam Angaadi Paattu
Newspaper Boy Venkiti
My Dear Kuttichathan Stage Performance
Suvarna Simhaasanam Gopalan
Poothumbium Poovalanmarum
Guru Sishyan
1998 Manthri Kochamma Pankajakshan
Chenapparambile Aanakkariyam Uthaman
Gramapanchayath Bhaskaran
Mattupetti Machan Manoharan
Meenakshi Kalyanam Adv. Sivan Mullassery
Mayajalam Ezhupunna Mathai
Mangalya Pallakku Phalgunan
Chenapparambile Aanakkariyam Uthaman
Sooryavanam Thamarathoppu
1999 Auto Brothers
My Dear Karadi Constable Ujwallan
Udayapuram Sulthan Salim
Pattabhishekam Illikkulam Kattumanakkal Ashtangahridayam Bhramadathan Moosad
Tokyo Nagarathile Viseshangal Kadappuram Paarayi

2000s

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Year Title Role Notes
2000 Kinnara Thumbikal Tea shop owner
Mera Naam Joker
Nadan Pennum Natupramaniyum Showroom Manager
Vinayapoorvam Vidhyaadharan Astrologer
Unnimaya
Thenkasipattanam Muthuraman
Melevaryathe Malakhakkuttikal Bhaskaran
Sathyameva Jayathe Mattancherry Mammathu
2001 Ee Naadu Innale Vare
Naranathu Thampuran Shivan
Ee Parakkum Thalika Koshy
Soothradharan Leela Krishnan
Sundara Purushan Balan
One Man Show Bhaskaran
Nariman Kochu Narayanan's Manager
Bharthavudyogam Pushpan
2002 Kakki Nakshatram
Valkannadi Raghavan
Meesa Madhavan Advocate Mukundanunni
Thandavam Basheer
Pranayamanithooval Sundaran
Punyam
Mazhathullikkilukkam Maayandi
Kashillatheyum Jeevikkam
Kunjikoonan Chandran
Bamboo Boys Chamba
Kalyanaraman Pyari
Vasanthamalika Komalan
Savithriyude Aranjanam Olympian Bhootham Appachan
2003 Pattanathil Sundaran Adv. Bhuvanachandran
Vellithira Surendran
Gramophone 'Tabla' Bhaskaran
C.I.D. Moosa Mental Patient
Thilakkam Omanakkuttan
Kilichundan Mampazham Usman
Pattalam S.I. Gabbar Keshavan
Swantham Malavika
Pulival Kalyanam Manavalan
Hariharan Pillai Happy Aanu Sundaran
The Fire
Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum Ganeshan
Malsaram Vaira Muthu
2004 Youth Festival Veerapandi
Rasikan Paramu
Chathikkatha Chandu Dance Master Vikram
2005 Pandippada Umakandan
Thommanum Makkalum Raajakkannu
Sarkar Dada Kumaran
Maanikyan Kumaran
Krithyam Badsha
Izha
Kalyana Kurimanam
Rappakal Govindan
Naran Idimutt Rajappan
Junior Senior Sathyan
Aandavan Mayinkutti
Rajamanikyam Dasappan
2006 Chanthupottu Vareed
Oruvan Balan
Aanachandam Aana paappan Manikandan
Narakasuran CBI Officer Govind
Vrindavanam
Lion Pottakuzhy Chellappan
Art Of Fighting 2 Eiji Kisaragi
Thuruppu Gulan Khadar
Eakantham Velayudhan
Pulijanmam
Achanurangatha Veedu Samuel/Prabhakaran
Pachakuthira Chandran
Prajapathi Film Star Abhilash
Chess Unnikkannan
Vaasthavam Thrippan Namboothiri
Karutha Pakshikal
2007 Changathipoocha Rajappan
Inspector Garud Chakkachamparambil Lonappan
Mayavi Kannan Srank
Hareendran Oru Nishkalankan Rajendran Vazhayila
Romeo Naranimangalam Narayanan
Ayur Rekha P.C. Ismail
Kangaroo 'Current' Kunjachan
Anamika
Mission 90 Days Aravindan
The Speed Track Lali
Abraham & Lincoln Constable Marcos
Nagaram Lalkuzhi Nanappan
Eakantham Velayudhan
Goal (2007 Malayalam film) Kuriakose
July 4 Sakthivel
Hallo Chidambaram
Arabikatha Kareem
Chocolate Pappan
Kadha Parayumbol Poet Das Vadakkemuri
Flash
2008 Twenty:20 Induchoodan IPS
De Ingottu Nokkiye
Jubilee
Shakespeare M.A. Malayalam Sugunan Muthukunnam
Cycle Stephen
Thavalam Sundaran
Parthan Kanda Paralokam Karunan
Gopalapuranam Ramanan
Mulla 'Thotti' Sasi
One Way Ticket Sakkath Beeran
Annan Thampi Inspector Shyamalan
Mayabazar Govindan Ashari
Sultan Sundaran
Crazy Gopalan Lakshmanan
Lollypop Priest / Advocate Kuriakose
2009 Sanmanassullavan Appukuttan
Samastha Keralam PO Subrahmaniam
Aayirathil Oruvan Usman
Loudspeaker KP
Samayam
Malayali Mohanakrishnan
Duplicate Professional killer 1
Love In Singapore Shukkur khan
2 Harihar Nagar Ayyappan
Ee Pattanathil Bhootham SI Madhavan Chandrappinni / Parakkum Madhavan
Makante Achan Krishnan Kutty
Decent Parties Rafeeq
Swantham Lekhakan Chandramohan
Kappal Muthalaali Omanakuttan
Angel John Rajan
Gulumal-The Escape Bhai
Chattambinadu Maakri Gopalan

2010s

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Senior Mandrake
Nizhal
Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policeum Gopalan
Pokkiri Raja Novelist Manoharan Mangalodayam
3 Char Sau Bees Chandran Muthalali
Anwar Ashraf
Swantham Bharya Zindabad T K Vipin kumar
My Big Father Unnikuttan
Four Friends Kochouseph
Malarvaadi Arts Club Kattapparam Sasi
Thaskara Lahala Ayyappan
Oridathoru Postman Chandrappan
Kaaryasthan Kalidas
Best Actor Vadival Pranchi
Aakashayathra
Marykkundoru Kunjaadu Lonappan
2011 Adaminte Makan Abu Abu
Doubles Mayyazhi
Arjunan Saakshi Mechanic Jackson
Makeup Man Lawrence
Prabhuvinte Makkal
Christian Brothers Purushothaman
Manikyakkallu Kunjuraman/Thampuraan
Janapriyan Kannappan kannapi
Teja Bhai & Family Divakaran Nair
2012 916
Players
Padmasree Bharat Dr. Saroj Kumar Rafeek
Masters Monichan
Annum Innum Ennum Lopez
Cobra Gopalan
Ordinary Ashan - Bus mechanic
Vaadhyar
Ezham Suryan
Mr. Marumakan Sankaranunni
Mazhavillinattam Vare The Cook
Ayalum Njanum Thammil Thomachan
101 Weddings Khader
2013 Abhiyum Njanum Jose
Pigman
Lisammayude Veedu Samuel/Prabhakaran
Immanuel Suku
Moonam nal Nyararcha
Kunjananthante Kada
Nadodimannan Ravi
KQ
Bicycle Thieves Bose Prakash/Bossettan
2014 My Dear Mummy
Bhaiyya Bhaiyya Korah
Seconds Jeevan
2015 Compartment
Fireman Narendan Achari
Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal School Head Master
Elanjikkavu P.O
Female Unnikrishnan Thamarakulam Raviyan
Pathemari Narayanan's Father
2016 Thoppil Joppan Fr. Issac Vaalamparambil
Moonam Naal Njyayarazhcha Karumpan
Kattappanayile Hrithik Roshan Naxalite Chandran
2017 Ramaleela Sumesh Venjara
Karutha Sooryan
Hello Dubaikkaran
Sherlock Toms Chouro Aashan
Karutha Joothan
Velipadinte Pusthakam Prof. Premraj Idikkattutharayi
Clint
Chippy
2018 Mangalyam Thanthunanena
Chalakkudikkaran Changathi
Mohanlal Sathan Jose
Panchavarnathatha Adv. Jimmy
Kuttanadan Marpappa Philipose
Daivame Kaithozham K. Kumar Akanam Karimannur Gopi
Shikkari Shambhu SI Jimmy
Queen Adv. Mukundan
Sakhavinte Priyasakhi
2019 Driving License Agasthi
Varky
Ulta Pattelar Dopanna
Munthiri Monchan: Oru Thavala Paranja Kadha Thavala
Edakkad Battalion 06 Santhosh
Ganagandharvan Rajaji
Ittymaani: Made in China Mapranam Varkey
A For Apple Muhammed
Shibu Dr.Thomachan
Rangeela
Mask Cheguevara alias Jaggu Varapuzha
Thamara
Oru Yamandan Premakadha Paanchi
Madhura Raja Manoharan Manyolodayam [21]
An International Local Story MLA Joseph Manavalan
Oru Adaar Love Manavalan
Allu Ramendran SI Sinto Simon

2020s

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Year Title Role Notes
2020 Dhamaka Doctor
2021 Meow Usthad
Malik Moosakka
Sumesh and Ramesh Indukaladharan
One Dassappan
Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan Narration
2022 Pada Justice Thankappan Achari
Thallumaala Singer Cameo appearance
Mei Hoom Moosa Adv. Manoharan
2023 Vellari Pattanam Kunjikannan Mash [22]
Kallanum Bhagavathiyum [23]
Kenkemam
Kirkkan Kirkkan [24]
2024 Badal [25]
Malayalee From India Hamsa [26]
Marivillin Gopurangal [27]
Kudumbasthreeyum Kunjadum [28]
Pattapakal [29]

Other languages

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Year Film Role Language Notes
2014 Appavin Meesai Kolappan Tamil
Nedunchaalai Mattu Sekar Tamil
Maryan Thomayya Tamil
2013 Oonga Kunja/Tramp Oriya, Hindi Billiungal film
2011 Mayabazaar unknown Bengali

As director

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Year Film Role Language Notes
2015 Compartment - Malayalam Director
2017 Karutha Joothan - Malayalam Director
2018 Daivame Kaithozham K. Kumar Akanam - Malayalam Director

As dubbing artist

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Television

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Year Title Role Channel Notes
2015 Cinema Chirima himself Mazhavil Manorama
2016 Komedy Circus Judge Mazhavil Manorama
2017–2019 Comedy stars season 2 Recurring Judge Asianet
2017 Comedy Utsavam Himself Flowers TV
2018 Urvashi Theatre Mentor Asianet
2018-2019 Thakarppan Comedy Mentor Mazhavil Manorama
2020 John Jaffer Janardhanan Narrator Surya TV
2020–2022 Comedy Masters Judge Amrita TV
2021–2022 Star Magic Mentor Flowers TV
2024 Chiri Kadhakal Host Kaumudy TV

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Category Film Result
National Film Awards 2010 Best Actor Adaminte Makan Abu[30] Won
Kerala State Film Awards 2005 Second Best Actor Achanurangatha Veedu
2010 Best Actor Adaminte Makan Abu
2013 Best Comedian Ayalum Njanum Thammil
2016 Best Story Karutha Joothan
Kerala State Television Awards 2013 Best Actor Parethante Paribhavangal
Filmfare Awards South 2011 Best Actor (Malayalam) Adaminte Makan Abu[31]
South Indian International Movie Awards 2012 Special Jury Award Adaminte Makan Abu
Kerala Film Critics Association Award 2010 Special Jury Award Adaminte Makan Abu
Asianet Film Awards 2008 Best Comedy Actor Annan Thambi
2011 Special Jury Award Adaminte Makan Abu
Vanitha Film Awards 2011 Best Comedian Marykkundoru Kunjaadu

Other awards

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References

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  1. ^ "Co-passengers made disgusting faces when they saw me reading Shakeela's biography: Salim Kumar - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  2. ^ "Best Comedians of Mollywood". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  3. ^ Jebaraj, Priscilla (19 May 2011). "South hogs limelight at 58th National Film Awards". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  4. ^ "Archives Top and Latest News". mint. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  5. ^ "Salim Kumar sent back saying he doesn't know how to act, screenwriter Kaloor Dennis shares his experience - The Post Reader". Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  6. ^ "'ഐതിഹാസിക വിജയത്തിന് രണ്ട് പതിറ്റാണ്ടുകൾ'; തെങ്കാശിപ്പട്ടണത്തിൻ്റെ വിജയ ഓർമ്മ പങ്കിട്ട് ലാൽ!". malayalam.samayam.com (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  7. ^ "When Dileep Joined hands With Them!!". www.filmibeat.com. 6 April 2016. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Salim Kumar and Sunny Leone's pic on FB gets flooded with trolls". Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  9. ^ George, Anjana. "What makes Salim Kumar the face of Malayalam memes? - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Five movie characters that trollers made iconic". The Times of India. 29 August 2018.
  11. ^ "Manavalan from 'Pulival Kalyanam' - Five movie characters that trollers made iconic". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 July 2021. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  12. ^ "'അവന് പരസ്യമായി ഗുരുപൂജ ചെയ്യണമെന്ന്' : 'ശിഷ്യന്റെ' പോസ്റ്റ് ഷെയര്‍ ചെയ്ത് 'ആശാന്‍'". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  13. ^ Jebaraj, Priscilla (19 May 2011). "South hogs limelight at 58th National Film Awards". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2021 – via www.thehindu.com.
  14. ^ George, Meghna. "First Look: Vineeth Sreenivasan is back!". Rediff. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  15. ^ a b "Actor Salim Kumar moves HC against non-consideration of 'Pokkali' documentary in state film festival. - Times of India". The Times of India. 23 July 2012. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  16. ^ "Tracing an abandoned dark life". The New Indian Express. 18 February 2017. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  17. ^ "Daivame Kaithozham K. Kumarakanam". 12 January 2018. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018 – via IMDb.
  18. ^ "സലിം കുമാറിനെ ചതിച്ചതാര്?, Interview - Mathrubhumi Movies". Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  19. ^ "Manorama Online | Women | Work & Life |". Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  20. ^ "'Manjummel Boys' actor Chandu Salimkumar meets Rajinikanth; calls it a 'Thalaivar Darshanam'". The Times of India. 1 April 2024.
  21. ^ Kumar R, Manoj (13 April 2019). "Madhura Raja movie review: Mammootty's wisecracks save the day". The Indian Express. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  22. ^ "Soubin Shahir-Manju Warrier starrer Vellaripattanam gets a release date". Cinema Express. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  23. ^ "Vishnu Unnikrishnan starrer 'Kallanum Bhagavathiyum' gets a release date". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  24. ^ "New poster of Kani Kusruthi starrer Kirkkan is out". Cinema Express. 24 April 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Badal Premiere Locked: Shwetha Menon's Political Thriller Will Release On THIS Date". News18. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  26. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (25 December 2023). "Nivin Pauly's film with Dijo Jose Antony titled 'Malayalee From India'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 December 2023. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  27. ^ "Indrajith And Sarjano Khalid's Marivillin Gopurangal Set to Hit Theaters On This Date". News18. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  28. ^ "Dhyan Sreenivasan's comedy-drama 'Kudumbasthreeyum Kunjadum' gets a release date". The Times of India. 26 May 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  29. ^ "'Pattapakal' release: Krishna Sankar starrer to release on THIS date". The Times of India. 6 May 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Salim Kumar wins Best Actor National Award - TechnoparkToday.com - Techies News, Jobs, Events & Lifestyle!". 19 May 2011. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  31. ^ "The 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011(South)". The Times Of India. Archived from the original on 5 April 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
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