South Indian actor Kalabhavan Mani passed away in a private hospital in Kochi today (Sunday, March 6). The actor was 45. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
Reportedly, Mani was admitted to Amrita hospital in Kochi two days ago, with a liver-related ailment.
Born in Chalakkudy in Kerala in 1971, Mani worked as an autodriver in the town, before he ventured into full-time acting profession. He started as a mimicry artiste and singer with Kerala’s famous Kalabhavan troupe. His first film, Samudayam, released in 1993. He rose to fame with his negative role in Lohithadas’ Sallapam (1996). His comic roles in commercial cinema were highly popular, and the lead role in Vinayan’s Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum bagged him a state award for the best actor and a National Award (special jury mention) in 1999. He has acted in over 200 films in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.
Reportedly, Mani, an LDF sympathiser, was planning to contest the forthcoming Assembly elections from his constituency.
I can’t get over the shock! Mani Chetta..there was so much more you had to give..this is unfair!! Rest in peace!
— Prithviraj Sukumaran (@PrithviOfficial) March 6, 2016
Another Malayalam Actor breathes his last #kalabhavanMani. The year has started badly for the film industry in kerala #RIP
— sangeeth sivan (@sangeethsivan) March 6, 2016
The ethnic sound of Malayalam cinema is gone silent…irreparable loss RIP#KalabhavanMani
— resul pookutty (@resulp) March 6, 2016
