Mani played a major part in my earlier comedies like Kalyana Sougandhikam, Pranaya Nilavu, Ullasa Poongattu and Akasha Ganga. Those who are showering praises on him now have never accepted his talent for real It's been years, but that incident remains etched in my mind as a reminder of the wonderful humanitarian that Kalabhavan Mani was!
He hadn't even opened it! Later, we got to know from his manager that the woman had been trying to meet Mani to seek financial help for her daughter's wedding. We gave him the money in an envelope, and while we were chatting with the actor's manager, we saw Mani walking towards the women, and handing over the envelope to them. Even as he was speaking to us, Mani was glancing at the two women. It was about six in the morning and we noticed a mother and daughter waiting outside. When I made my first film Aadaminte Makan Abu, I requested him to act in the movie, and remember visiting his residence to make his payment. It's as a gifted mimicry artist that his name got imprinted in my mind first. I knew Mani even before both of us came into films, as I too was active in the field of mimicry. A band should have been formed for his music.Ī gifted actor, who was also a wonderful humanitarian. He is also the one to be credited for bringing back naadan pattu into Malayalam films and music.
KALABHAVAN MANI DAUGHTER SREELAKSHMI FULL
He would prepare my favourite dishes and serve me, until I am full and happy. He would often visit me on set with chicken and mutton, with a cook. Even while smoking, he would hold the cig away if he saw me. He considered my home his own, and me as an older sibling. How will I console myself?He was a younger brother who would come before me and wipe a tear if he has done something bad. This time, death grabbed someone who was too close to me, a brother who was there at an arm's distance for anything.
I was away in Bengaluru for a shoot when I watched the scroll about his death on TV. I am beyond shocked to learn that Mani, who often visited me with Mangostin fruits and saplings, lovingly calling out to me 'Mammookka' isn't there anymore. Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum Karumadikkuttan Rakshasa Rajavu Ananthabhadram Amen Chotta Mumbai Sallapam Valyettan Kuberan Gemini (Tamil)
He will remain irreplaceable, as an actor and as a human being. Controversies notwithstanding, all those who were associated with Mani have only one word to describe Mani ' a genuine human being. He died on Sunday night, at a hospital in Kochi, leaving behind his wife and 15-year-old daughter, Sreelakshmi. The actor was rumoured to be contesting as a left candidate in the upcoming elections when the news of his death arrived. Mani played a great role in bringing nadan pattu to the mainstream in Kerala, and could get an entire audience up on their feet with his infectious energy. Summer in Bethlehem, Valiyettan, Anandabhadram, and most recently Amen and Alif, Mani's repertoire was as varied as Mani the person. The year 1999 belonged to him, and he won special mentions at the National and State Awards for his performance as the blind singer in the film Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum. He went on to act in more than 200 films, as comedian, character actor, and villain, and made a name for himself in Tamil and Telugu as well.
It was the 1996 film Sallapam which got him noticed, along with Manju Warrier and Dileep, and there was no looking back for Mani. Mani began his career by moonlighting as mimicry artist even during days of abject poverty, and this ultimately won small roles for him in films, as a comic actor. To the residents of his native town Chalakkudy, where he rode an autorickshaw to eke out a living from age 12 onwards, he was a brother, whose love and affection was unadulterated. He was never just an actor to them, he was their friend, who sang and danced with them during stage shows, who was ever ready to offer help to the needy. Probably no other Malayalam actor was as much of a hero of the masses as Kalabhavan Mani.