Malayalam actor and singer Kalabhavan Mani passed away on Sunday, March 6. He was declared dead at a hospital in Kochi and the versatile actor was only 45-years-old. The actor had been hospitalised for liver ailment. Messages of condolence from the netizens have been pouring in eversince the news of his death became known. The PMO’s Twitter handle said, “A promising career is cut short. Kalabhavan Mani was multifaceted & popular. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family & fans: PMO”. Actor Suriya also tweeted “Respects to a great performer! Good friend.Will cherishes time spent with him! Rest in Peace sir (sic).”
Mani had also won the national special jury award in 2000 for his performance in Malayalam film Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum. The actor hailed from an economically backward family at Chalakkudy in Thrissur district. Before he began his journey into films, he was a mimicry artiste at Kalabhavan in Kochi and then did comedy roles in Malayalam films. His first job was that of an auto rickshaw driver before his career took a major shift.