Playing a character with soul

In the Malayalam film, 'Adaminte Makan Abu', the character Abu holds his wife’s hands, and says, “When I went on a pilgrimage in my dreams, you were there. So how can I leave you alone and go to Mecca to perform the Haj?” This scene is testimony to the great love that the couple shares even in the twilight of their life. “It is one of my favourite moments,” says actor Salim Kumar, who has just won the National award for best actor for essaying Abu’s role.

Others in contention were stalwarts like Naseeruddin Shah, Rituparna Ghosh, Mammootty and Shah Rukh Khan. “There has been an invisible hurdle for second or third rung actors to win national awards,” says Salim. “I am happy to be the first to break this barrier.” Recently, there was a double glory for him when he won the Kerala State Award for best actor for the same film. These wins prove that the serious roles the comedian has played—Manikandan in Bridge-Kerala Cafe and Samuel in 'Achanurangatha Veedu'—were not flashes in the pan. “In a career, we only get a few chances to portray a character with soul,” says Salim. “Abu was one such.”

Like Abu, the actor has also witnessed many ups and downs. Salim fought against poverty in his childhood and faced rejection in the initial days. He still remembers a camera test that he did; the director sent him away, saying that he did not have a photogenic face.

So, success for Salim has been sweeter because of the enormous amount of hard work that he has put in. And Salim’s walk to the throne of an actor from the chair of a slapstick comedian, one of the most popular ever, is an inspiration for many.

Keywords: Latest film news, Adaminte Makan Abu, Salim Kumar, Achanurangatha Veedu,national awards