Noted Malayalam actor and comedian Kalabhavan Mani is no more. The actor passed away in Kochi, on Monday, March 6 at 7.15 pm. He was 45.
The actor, who had acted in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu movies breathed his last at a private hospital in Kochi, where he was undergoing treatment for liver-related ailments.
Celebs attend Kalabhavan Mani's memorial service
Kalabhavan Mani's journey from auto driver to popular South Indian actor
Mani began his career as a mimicry artist in Kalabhavan made a notable entry as a film actor in the Malayalam movie "Aksharam" in 1995. He is also known for his folk songs and has acted in more than 200 films in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. He is also a receipent of the National Film Special Jury Award and Kerala State Special Jury Award for his performance in the movie "Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum" in 1999.
Read: Kalabhavan Mani funeral live streaming
See: Kalabhavan Mani's Rare Pictures
Kalabhavan Mani's death was unnatural?
Although he was popularly known as a comedian and villain, his last notable role Looyi Pappan for Lijo Jose Pellishery's "Amen" was one of his career best. Some of his other notable movies include "Bachelor Party," "Chotta Mumbai," "Mampazhakkalam," "Vettam," "Sethurama Iyer CBI," "Balettan," "One Man Show," "Karumadikkuttan," "Valyettan," "Narasimham," "My Dear Karady," "Summer in Bethlehem," "Sallapam," among many others.
Mani is survived by his wife Nimmy and daughter Sree Lakshmy.
Celebrities and politicians have expressed grief at Rajesh's passing. Here are some of their condolence messages:
Kalabhavan Mani's death created a void in life: Mohanlal
Suriya Sivakumar
#kalabhavanmani Respects to a great performer!A Good friend.Will cherish time spent with him! Rest In Peace sir.
Kamal Haasan
Sad about my friend Kalabhavanam Mani. One more of My Malayalee brothers dying of cirrhosis. He had more talent than time.
You will be missed forever Mani Chetta! Some of my best memories on sets during the early stages of my career are with this man! Rest in peace!
RIP Mani chetta ! A huge loss to our industry. Have always had such warm interactions with him. Can't believe it..
Shashi Tharoor
Shocked by the demise of KalabhavanMani. I witnessed him rowing in the NehruTrophy BoatRace just five years ago. RIP
Vineeth
Oh God , shocking news, cannot digest the fact about Mani's untimely demise, an incredibly talented and versatile actor . My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends which includes me.
Raai Laxmi
Yet another sad news n a big loss to the industry versatile actor #KalabhavanMani is no more with us #shocking !Life is so fragile#Rip
Vimala Raman
Really sad to hear the loss of a gift to the film industry #kalabhavanmani sir Was an honour to have worked with you in a few films, RIP sir
Khushbu Sundar
Very sad 2 hear tat #KalabhavanMani is no more..super talented actor of malayalam cinema..he ws jus 46..v r losing too many talents off late.
Sad 2 see cameras glaring at d lifeless body of #Kalabhavanmani right thru d hospital..come on guys,please allow the family 2 mourn d loss
Anoop Menon
Manichettan.......an actor with indomitable energy levels... A human with infinite abundance of love...will miss him more as a true human....Malayalam cinema is turning into a graveyard...
Jishnu Raghavan
mani Chetan was a great friend and he used to take special care of me. he knows I like to eat in thattu kada. he is very aware of the best places around where we get food . he suddenly says let's go out and hv food Jishnu .., as soon has he enters the thattu kada it's like celebration time.. all the best dishes line up there... And it is so fun to eat with him . he is so fun while acting and we are always at ease working with him .... have spent a lot of amazing moments with the fun loving guy... he has worked hard to come this far ... may his journey further be as great and eventful as it was till now... love you mani Cheta
Pratap Pothen
I have met Kalabhavan mani only once ....but that one time was enough for him to make an indelible impression on me ....it was during the shooting of ayalum gnanum Thammil ....it was a late night shoot ..so I remember Sukumari Amma ...Salim Kumar ..sitting together and gassing ....mani was in his elements and joke after joke left us in splits I didn't realise what a talented man he was....the scenes were very heavy ones ....but humour and goodness shone through ....I still think of that day so much so I was determined to have in in the film I was directing ...but fate had it otherwise ...even though it was just a day you memory will always be with me bye bye gentle soul may you find eternal peace
Jewel Mary
May his soul rest in peace
Prasanna â€
Extremely shocking to know the demise of #KalabhavanMani . Was a fantastic actor superb entertainer & more of all a great human being. RIP.
Aadhi
RIP ‪#‎KalabhavanMani‬ Anna,gr8 actor passed away...lucky t hav shared screen space wit him fr ‪#‎sarithram‬..grt loss!
Naresh Allari
Rest in peace ‪#‎KalabhavanMani‬ sir. The man who transformed from a comedian to a singer to a villian to a hero
Chandra Lakshman
Extremely saddened by the sudden demise of Mani Chetan..‪#‎kalabhavanmani‬ A lovely co-star to work with..Malayalam cinema has definitely lost some of its bestest actors and technicians..Prayers for his family..
Ghibran
Shocked & saddened to hear about the sudden demise of‪#‎KalabhavanMani‬ . Worked with him in Papanasam, A Great Talent,RIP
Noel Sean
National Award Winning Actor Shri Kalabhavan Mani Passes Away.....Rest in Peace ‪#‎RIP‬ ‪#‎KalabhavanMani‬
Shanil Muhammed
Great loss..... RIP.... we will always miss you
Mahat Raghavendra
Shocked and saddened to know great Actor ‪#‎KalabhavanMani‬ passed away. ‪#‎RIP‬
Aju Varghese
RIP Mani chetta
We all will miss you
K S Chithra
Very sad to hear that KalabhavanMani is no more. A Great Talented actor and singer , Heartfelt condolences to the family and fans of KalabhavanMani. Rest in peace !
Poornima Indrajith
Oh GOD! Not again !
RIP...Kalabhavan Mani chettan !
Rajith Menon
One after another,its realy a bad time for malayalam industry..... hero,villain,comedian,singer ...all in one talented kalabhavan mani passed away......may his soul rip....u will continue to live in thru our heart manichetta....
Bartosz Czarnotta
What a terrible period for Malayalam cinema! Its extremly sad to hear about death of Kalabhavan Mani
