The films crafted by Siddique and Lal were celebrated for their incorporation of relatable characters, establishing a fresh benchmark for modern-day comedy, even though their partnership yielded merely six movies. The accomplished filmmaker, Siddique Ismail, breathed his last on Tuesday, reaching the age of 63. Having been admitted to Kochi's Amrita Hospital the previous month due to a liver ailment, Siddique encountered a cardiac arrest on Monday afternoon, leading to his placement on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) assistance.
In spite of extensive medical efforts, Siddique passed away on Tuesday night during the course of his treatment.
The mortal remains of Siddique will be placed at Kadavanthra’s Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium from 9 am to 11:30 am, followed by a later tribute session at his residence, allowing people to pay their respects. His funeral has been scheduled for 6 pm on Wednesday. An eminent figure among Malayalam film directors, Siddique's initiation into the film realm occurred through assisting the legendary filmmaker Fazil. He and his companion Lal came into Fazil's radar due to their performances with the Cochin Kalabhavan’s mimicry ensemble.
Embarking on their directorial journey as the 'Siddique-Lal' duo, their debut arrived in the form of the timeless comedy "Ramji Rao Speaking" (1989), which received backing from Fazil. This marked the commencement of a string of notable achievements in the annals of Malayalam cinema, including iconic creations like "In Harihar Nagar" (1990), "Godfather" (1991), "Vietnam Colony" (1992), "Kabooliwala" (1993), and "Hitler" (1996).
Siddique and Lal’s films gained prominence for their incorporation of relatable characters, setting an innovative benchmark for contemporary comedy, despite their collaboration encompassing a mere six films.
Some of Siddique’s prominent solo directorial works encompass "Hitler," "Friends," "Chronic Bachelor," and "Bodyguard." He took the reins of the Hindi remake of "Bodyguard," featuring Salman Khan in the lead role. In the Tamil rendition, also directed by Siddique, titled "Kavalan," the protagonist was portrayed by Vijay.
Siddique's ultimate directorial endeavor came in the form of the 2020 action-thriller film "Big Brother," featuring Mohanlal, Arbaaz Khan, Anoop Menon, and Honey Rose in pivotal roles.
Prominent figures in Kerala's entertainment sphere turned to social media to express their sorrow over the filmmaker's passing. Dulquer Salmaan conveyed on Instagram, "A gentle soul. The kindest human. A gifted writer/director. Remarkable humor beneath his gentle demeanor. He presented us with iconic films. A part of our pop culture and a reference in our daily conversations. This loss is beyond measure. Prayers and strength for Siddique Sir's family and loved ones."
The director leaves behind his wife Sajitha and their three children: Sumaya, Sara, and Sukoon.