RIP Sunil Babu: Dulquer Salmaan, Hanu Raghavapudi, Santosh Sivan recall memories with art director, mourn his death

Art director, production designer Sunil Babu, who’s worked in several credible films across Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi and Tamil industries, passed away due to cardiac arrest at 50 on Thursday. Some of his popular works were for films like Bangalore Days, MS Dhoni, Special 26, Sita Ramam and Varisu. Survived by his wife and daughter, he was admitted to a private hospital in Ernakulam earlier this week when he had complained of swelling in his leg.

A wide range of film celebrities across multiple industries expressed their condolences on Sunil Babu’s death. Dulquer Salmaan called him a kind, warm soul who went about his work with passion minus any airs about his immense talent. He thanked him for the memories and bringing life to his films, adding that it would be quite difficult to come to terms with this loss. He prayed for strength to his family and loved ones.

Cinematographer, director Santosh Shivan called him a good friend and told that his death left a void in many lives. Director Hanu Raghavapudi, who worked with Sunil Babu on Sita Ramam, said it would be tough for all to digest the news of his passing away. “Can’t believe he’s no longer with us now. This shows, again, how life can be unfair and unpredictable. Rest in peace, #SunilBabu sir. The world will miss you,” he wrote on his social media handle.

Hindi filmmaker Neeraj Pandey, who worked on three films with the technician said Sunil was an exceptional technician, production designer, colleague, partner-in-crime and friend. Varisu’s cinematographer Karthik Palani too shared his condolences to Sunil Babu’s family and friends.