Sreenivasan on ventilator, under 24-hour observation

Ernakulam: Actor-director Sreenivasan has been hospitalised following a chest pain on Wednesday morning.

Sreenivasan is now in the intensive care unit of the Medical Trust Hospital in Ernakulam.

According to hospital sources, Sreenivasan's blood pressure shot up after he was admitted in the ICU following which he had to be kept on ventilator. Although there is improvement, nothing can be said right now as he's on 24-hour observation and an update can be provided only after that, hospital authorities told Onmanorama. 

The actor was at the studio of Lal Media Arts at Edapally, Kochi, when he felt the pain.

Last year, the 61-year-old was hospitalised for a week and reports were initially rife that the actor had suffered a stroke.

Soon, his elder son Vineeth took to Facebook to clarify. “My father was admitted to the hospital following a variation in blood sugar levels. The doctor has recommended stay in the hospital tonight and will discharge him tomorrow. I request everyone not to spread baseless news. Thanks everyone,” Vineeth had posted on Facebook.

It was on Tuesday that Sreenivasan's younger son Dhyan began the second schedule of his directorial debut 'Love Action Drama', starring Nivin Pauly and Nayanthara in the lead.

His upcoming movies include 'Kannadi Talkies' and 'Driving License'.

Sreenivasan had teamed up with Sathyan Anthikad to produce a string of memorable hit movies including 'Sandesham', 'Thalayanamanthram', 'Nadodikaatu' and 'Gandhinagar 2nd Street'. It was after a gap of sixteen years that Sreenivasan associated with director Sathyan Anthikad for 'Njan Prakashan'. The duo last worked together in 2002 movie 'Yathrakarude Sradhakku'.

Director Priyadarshan has also relied on Sreenivasan for many of his hits. 

The actor-director, who hails from Kannur, has won several awards including the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film in 1989 for 'Vadakkunokkiyantram'.

He also won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues in 2000 for 'Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala'. He also won a Filmfare Award for Best Director for the same. Sreenivasan made his debut in 1977 film Manimuzhakkam. 

He co-produced  'Katha Parayumpol' (2007) and 'Thattathin Marayath' (2012) under the banner Lumiere Film Company, along with actor Mukesh.

Some of his noted comedies include 'Sandesam', 'Aram + Aram = Kinnaram', 'Kinnaripuzhayoram', 'Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu', 'Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu', 'Artham', 'Azhakiya Ravana'n and 'Chithram'.

'Katha Parayumbol', his moving tale of friendship between a superstar and his childhood friend, also won the Filmfare award for the best movie. Mammootty also did a cameo in the movie.

Married to Vimala, a retired teacher, he is settled in Kochi. His elder son Vineeth Sreenivasan is a playback singer and actor. He aslo has an elder son Dhyan Sreenivasan who too is an actor. Vineeth is married to IT professional Divya and has a son. Dhyan got married to Arpita in 2017 after a long courtship of 10 years.

Controversies

In 2017, miscreants poured black oil on the walls of his house in Koothuparamaba. His comments about popular actor Dileep was the provocation in connection with the actress assault case.

“When you say making pro-Dileep statements will influence the witness, it should be pointed out anti-Dileep statements will also mislead them. So how can you bar only the people who make supporting statements,” he had then told Manorama News TV.

One of the most sought-after scriptwriters in the Malayalam industry, Sreenivasan was last seen in the Sathyan Anthikad movie 'Njan Prakashan' which had Fahadh Faasil in the lead. He also penned the script for the same.