The Malayalam film industry is in mourning following the passing of legendary actor, screenwriter, and director Sreenivasan, who breathed his last on December 20, 2025, at the age of 69. The veteran artist, known for his incomparable wit and sharp social satire, passed away at a hospital in Kochi following prolonged health issues related to age and cardiac ailments.
Sreenivasan was being transported for a routine dialysis session when his condition deteriorated, leading to his untimely demise. His passing marks the end of an era for Indian cinema – leaving behind a void that will be felt by generations of cinephiles who grew up on his relatable, everyman characters.
Sreenivasan’s net worth
Throughout a prolific career spanning nearly five decades, Sreenivasan built a substantial financial legacy alongside his artistic one. While the exact figures of his wealth were never officially made public, A report by Asianet News estimated Sreenivasan’s net worth to be between $1 million and $5 million (approximately Rs 9 crore to Rs 45 crore). His income was diversified across several streams, including his high-demand work as a screenwriter, his roles as a leading and character actor in over 225 films, and his successful ventures into film direction and production.
Beyond his professional earnings, Sreenivasan was known to have a penchant for luxury vehicles – owning a Mercedes-Benz C-Class and other high-end cars according to the same report. He also co-founded Lumiere Film Company, a production house that backed several critically and commercially successful films.
He is survived by his wife, Vimala, and his two sons, Vineeth and Dhyan Sreenivasan, both of whom are established figures in the industry and will inherit a legacy that is as much about financial stability as it is about cultural impact.
A career built on satire and realism
Sreenivasan’s career was nothing short of revolutionary. After graduating from the Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu – where he was a classmate of superstar Rajinikanth – he made his debut in the 1976 film Manimuzhakkam. However, it was his evolution into a screenwriter that truly changed the story of Malayalam cinema. In the 1980s and 90s, he formed a legendary “trio” with director Sathyan Anthikad and actor Mohanlal, producing cult classics like Nadodikkattu, Gandhinagar 2nd Street, and Varavelpu.
His writing was celebrated for its “social realism,” often using humor to critique political hypocrisy, unemployment, and middle-class anxieties. His 1991 masterpiece, Sandesham, remains the gold standard for political satire in India. As a director, he earned a National Film Award for Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala and multiple Kerala State Film Awards for Vadakkunokkiyanthram.
