How Sreenivasan told the common man's problems through his satires in Malayalam cinema

Malayalam actor Sreenivasan passed away on December 20 following prolonged health problems. It is difficult to sum up this brilliant artiste's filmography in a single word because it includes both his outstanding performances and his writing, which effectively and satirically depicts the issues facing commoners.

Sreenivasan's satires that are celebrated for its subjects

In addition to being a remarkable veteran actor in Malayalam film, Sreenivasan has contributed to the film industry with a number of classics praised for their themes that amusingly depicted the issues of ordinary folks. Gopalakrishna Panikkar in Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam and Thalathil Dineshan in Vadakkunokkiyantram are among the many iconic characters he wrote in Malayalam that showcased his flawless writing skills. He conveyed the subtleties of a common man's emotions, including despair, jealousy, insecurities, and untainted familial ties in the most convincing way.

For example, Urvashi's role in Thalayana Manthram humorously depicted the insecure and competitive side of a housewife, while Mohanlal's film Varavelpu addressed the challenges of trade union issues facing a Gulf-returnee. Sandesham, which pokes fun at the state's political parties, is another example. In a similar vein, his scripts consistently brought attention to pertinent topics in a light-hearted manner that delighted viewers of all ages. All these films also bagged him numerous awards including National Film Award's Best Film on Other Social Issues category for Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala in 1998.

Sreenivasan's films that continue to entertain generations

The characters he wrote and performed are still relevant today since each one raises a social issue. His performances in a number of films, like Udayananu Tharam and Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala, are also well-received and will continue to entertain viewers. Notably, a number of Malayalam actors, particularly Mohanlal and Mammootty, received the best career breaks from Sreenivasan's films. The actor wrote the biggest hits for the Malayalam superstars in the 1980s and 1990s. This includes Oru Katha Oru Nunnakkatha, Azhakiya Ravanan, Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu, and Vellanakalude Nadu.