Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani passes away

Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani passed away on Sunday evening in Kochi. The actor had been ill for some time and was undergoing treatment for liver and kidney related disease at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences in the city. Mani was 45 years old.

According to The NewsMinute's report, on Sunday afternoon Mani's condition was serious and he was on ventilator. The hospitable confirmed the actor's death at 7:15 pm.

Mani was an auto driver in Chalakkudy and first began his acting career as a mimicry artiste in Kalabhavana, a centre for learning performing arts in Kochi, two decades ago. He went on to act in films and was known for his versatility. He began his film career in the Siby Malayil directed Malayalam film Aksharam. Mani was also a popular singer and had made albums of folk and religious songs. He had also acted in Tamil and Telugu film industries.

He acted in around 200 films. One of his best known roles was in the film Vasanthiyum, Lakshmiyum, Pinne Njanum for which he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 1999 and the Special Jury Award at the National Film Awards.

He is survived by his wife Nimmy and daughter Sree Lakshmy.

The news of his illness was not common knowledge and his death came as a shock to many in the Malayalam film industry. "It is an irreparable lose for us," noted film director Kamal said.

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

 
The industry has lost actress Kalpana, Poet-lyricist ONV Kurup, directors Rajesh Pillai and Mohanroop in the past month.