India, June 6 -- Malayalam actor and National Award winner Salim Kumar has been hospitalized in Kochi following a sudden health emergency on Saturday morning. The 57-year-old veteran performer was rushed to the hospital, where he was placed on ventilator support in the intensive care unit.

According to news agency PTI, the actor experienced a sudden downturn in his health earlier in the day, prompting immediate medical intervention. Hospital authorities have confirmed that his condition remains critical, adding that further updates regarding his medical status will be shared as his treatment progresses.

For several years, Salim Kumar has battled severe liver-related health complications. Following a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, a medic...