People, Positions and Obituaries · 8 June 2026

Salim Kumar passes away as National Award-winning actor

Exam-focused facts from the 8 June 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • Salim Kumar, a National Award-winning Malayalam actor, passed away in Kochi on 7 June 2026, at the age of 56 after suffering a heart attack.
  • He made his film debut in 1997 with the movie Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam and appeared in over 300 films during his 22-year acting career.
  • He won the Kerala State Film Award for the Second Best Actor for his performance in the 2006 film Achanurangatha Veedu.
  • He received both a National Award and a Kerala State Film Award for his leading role in the 2011 social drama Adaminte Makan Abu, which was India's official entry for The Academy Awards in 2011.
  • His 2017 directorial venture Karutha Joothan won the Best Story award at the Kerala State Film Awards.

View this story in the full daily briefing

Earlier coverage selected by topic similarity to help connect developments over time.

Hari Murali passes away at 27.

Hari Murali, former Malayalam child actor, died at the age of 27 at his residence in Payyannur, Kerala. He gained fame for his role in the 2004 Malayalam film Rasikan directed by Lal Jose.

E.A. Rajendran passes away at 71.

E.A. Rajendran, veteran Malayalam actor-director, died at age 71 at his residence in Pattathanam, Kollam. He was a graduate of the National School of Drama and appeared in around sixty Malayalam films.