Actor Salim Kumar under expert medical supervision in Kochi hospital Kochi, June 6 Popular Malayalam actor and National Award winner Salim Kumar has been admitted to Amrita Hospital in Kochi following health related concerns. The 56-year-old actor, who had been undergoing treatment for various health issues over the past few days, has been placed on ventilator support after doctors assessed his condition to be serious. A team of specialist doctors of the hospital is closely monitoring Salim Kumar’s health and continuing treatment. However, hospital authorities and family members have not released detailed information about his present medical condition.

Salim Kumar has been facing liver-related health issues for the past few years. The actor had earlier spoken about being diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and clarified that the condition was not related to alcohol consumption but was a hereditary health issue. He had revealed that his brother, who did not even consume tea, had also suffered from a similar condition.

Salim Kumar had also spoken about the emotional challenges he faced while dealing with his illness, including periods of isolation and personal struggles related to the deadly disease. Known for his exceptional comic timing and natural style of acting, Salim Kumar has been one of the most popular and versatile performers in Malayalam cinema. Starting his career with comedy roles, he later established himself as a serious actor through powerful character portrayals.

His performance in films across different genres earned him critical acclaim, and he went on to win the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in ‘Adaminte Makan Abu’. He has also been recognised with several state and film awards for his contribution to Malayalam cinema. The news of his hospitalisation has led to an outpouring of support from colleagues, fans and well-wishers, who have expressed hope for his recovery. Known for his liking for the Congress party, the hugely popular actor has time and again come out in support of the party, especially during the election times.

Actor Ranveer Singh received major relief in the ongoing Don 3 controversy, with the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) officially withdrawing its non-cooperation directive against him. The decision was announced on Wednesday (June 3) after discussions involving several key industry bodies, including the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), the Producers Guild of India (PGI) and the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA).

The move comes days after FWICE issued the directive over Ranveer’s reported exit from Farhan Akhtar’s much-awaited film Don 3. The matter later escalated when the actor sent a legal notice to the organisation.

Speaking to reporters, FWICE president BN Tiwari confirmed that the directive had been revoked with immediate effect.

“We are taking back our non cooperative directive from immediate effect after a request by IMPAA, the producers’ guild and CINTAA. We have been told that we should all sit together with the producers’ body and take an appropriate decision where neither the producers and directors nor the actor face any issues,” FWICE president BN Tiwari told reporters in Mumbai, according to PTI.

Tiwari also clarified that the organisation does not view the development as a victory or defeat for either side. “No one has won or lost in this matter. Our legal department will respond to his legal notice,” he added.

The controversy began on May 25 when FWICE announced a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer following a complaint filed by Farhan and his producing partner Ritesh Sidhwani with the Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA).

The matter was subsequently referred to FWICE for intervention.

According to reports, Don 3 has been in development for nearly three years and is yet to go on floors. The producers have reportedly claimed that more than Rs 45 crore has already been invested in the film’s pre-production process.

Amid the growing dispute, Ranveer Singh chose not to comment publicly on the issue. However, his spokesperson issued a statement emphasizing the actor’s respect for everyone associated with the project and the film industry.

“Throughout the recent developments surrounding ‘Don 3’, he has consciously chosen to maintain silence, believing that professional discussions and personal equations are best handled with dignity, maturity and mutual respect,” the statement said.

The spokesperson also stated that Singh continues to hold “deep respect and goodwill” for all those connected to the film and the industry.

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has now weighed in on the Ranveer Singh-FWICE controversy over the actor’s exit from Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3, where the FWICE issued a non-cooperation directive against Ranveer after a complaint by Farhan Akhtar, alleging that his departure from the film resulted in losses of nearly Rs 45 crore.

Ram Gopal Varma Seeks Ban On FWICE

Varma has now called for a ban on FWICE, stating how they are neither a court of legal justice nor a government-authorised regulatory body, and at best it’s a ‘kangaroo court’, which by definition pretends to deliver justice, but in actual fact it disregards established legal rules, due process, and impartiality.

Taking to his official X (Twitter) handle, RGV said that the ‘so-called ban’ will eventually become a ‘big fat joke’ on the federation.

‘Scared With Mega Success Of Ranveer Singh In Dhurandhar’

He added, “That is because the verdict is often decided in advance by a group of a specific agenda-oriented people meeting privately including actors who are scared shitless with the mega success of @RanveerOfficial in Dhurandhar This will be a massive PR Disaster for FWICE because It is screaming in desperation while at the same time demonstrating its outdatedness.”

The filmmaker argued that the ban on Ranveer is unjustified, and that stars like Ranveer generate employment opportunities for those lakhs of FWICE workers.

‘Stars Like Ranveer Singh Sell Tickets, Not FWICE’

He added, “It is stars like @RanveerOfficial who sell tickets at the theatres and not FWICE. It is only because stars like @RanveerOfficial exist that the industry exists, and also the FWICE exists.”

‘Let’s Not Poke Our Unwanted Noses’

“Here is my unsolicited advise to all concerned ‘Let’s not poke our unwanted noses into a civil dispute between 2 parties’,” RGV concluded

The Don franchise remains one of Bollywood’s most popular action-thriller series. After Shah Rukh Khan headlined the previous two instalments, Don 3 was announced with in 2023, with Ranveer Singh stepping into the iconic role, alongside Kiara Advani in the lead.