The history of Malayalam cinema is filled not only with superstars who ruled the industry but also with talented performers who, despite immense potential, never received the recognition they truly deserved. One such name is Saleema, an actress who won hearts in the 1980s with her expressive performances but mysteriously faded away from the spotlight just as audiences began embracing her. Even today, many Malayalam film lovers fondly remember her memorable characters and emotional screen presence.





Saleema was born into a film family

According to SREEN, Saleema was born into a family deeply connected to cinema. She is the daughter of veteran comedy actor Girija, who reportedly acted in nearly 300 Telugu and Tamil films during her career. Her first appearance on screen came with director Dasari Narayana Rao ’s Telugu film ‘Meghasandesam’ in 1982. The movie featured legendary actors Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Jaya Prada and Jayasudha in lead roles. Though she initially appeared in a few Tamil films, it was Malayalam cinema that eventually brought her recognition.





Saleema's Malayalam debut at Just 13

At the age of 13, Saleema stepped into Malayalam films with ‘Njan Piranna Nattil’ alongside superstar Mohanlal in 1985. She later appeared in films such as ‘Santham Bheekaram’ and ‘Niramulla Ravulkal’, slowly becoming a familiar face among audiences. However, her real breakthrough arrived with director Hariharan’s critically acclaimed romantic drama ‘Nakhakshathangal’. Written by legendary writer MT Vasudevan Nair, the film featured Monisha, Vineeth and Saleema in pivotal roles.





Saleema’s portrayal of a hearing- and speech-impaired girl caught in a complicated love story was widely appreciated. While Monisha won the National Award for Best Actress for the film, Saleema too received immense praise for her emotional performance.





Saleema's strong performances but limited opportunities

Despite the acclaim she earned from ‘Nakhakshathangal’, the actress could not translate that success into a long-lasting career in mainstream cinema. She later acted in films such as ‘Kurukkan Rajavayi’, Mammootty starrer ‘Mahayanam’, and Mohanlal’s cult classic ‘Vandanam’. She also impressed audiences in another Hariharan-MT collaboration, ‘Aranyakam’.





Yet, even after delivering powerful performances in critically appreciated films, Saleema’s career did not take off the way many expected.





Why did Saleema leave cinema?

After ‘Mahayanam’, Saleema suddenly disappeared from films, leaving many fans wondering why such a promising actress stepped away from the industry. In an earlier interview with SCREEN, the actress revealed that family responsibilities and business commitments led her away from acting. According to her, she wanted to dedicate herself completely to whatever she pursued at a given time. “For about three years, I was into the automobile business, followed by about 10 or more years in real estate and other sectors,” she had shared.





Although she stayed away from films for decades, Saleema admitted that acting remained her greatest passion. She often expressed happiness over the fact that Malayalam audiences still remembered her iconic roles from ‘Nakhakshathangal’ and ‘Aranyakam’. Apart from films, she was also active in modelling and reportedly featured in nearly 150 advertisements during her early career.





Saleema's return to the big screen

Years later, Saleema made a comeback to acting and slowly began appearing in films again. She featured in projects like ‘Abhayarthikal’, ‘Lisaa’, ‘Munthiri Monchan’, ‘Bloody Beggar’ and ‘DNA’. Most recently, she was seen in director Jofin T Chacko’s successful thriller ‘Rekhachithram’, starring Asif Ali and Anaswara Rajan. Despite acting in only a limited number of films, Saleema continues to hold a special place in the memories of Malayalam audiences. Her expressive eyes and understated performances remain unforgettable for many cinephiles.





Saleema’s battle with Cancer

Recently, actor Seema G Nair revealed through a Facebook post that Saleema had battled oral cancer. Sharing details about the actress’ health struggles, Seema mentioned that Saleema underwent treatment and has now recovered. She also revealed that while some members of the industry extended support, several others did not respond despite requests for help.





“Actor Vineeth visited her; Shwetha Menon had called her. But only a few people did such things,” Seema reportedly wrote in her emotional note. Seema further added that Saleema still carries immense love for Malayalam cinema and wishes to work in the industry again. She also appealed to filmmakers and industry members to support the actress by offering her acting opportunities whenever possible.






Disclaimer:
This article contains mention of cancer and personal experiences related to the disease, which readers may find sensitive. The information shared is based on personal accounts or reported events and is for general awareness only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.