Kalabhavan Mani Passed Away

Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani was cremated on Sunday evening at his hometown Chalakkudi in Kerala's Thrissur district.
He received full state honours, as teary-eyed emotional fans, family and friends from the film fraternity paid their last respects.
The autopsy report of Kalabhavan Mani, who died on Sunday after admission to a private hospital in Kochi, establishes that his liver was severely damaged.
The authorities are still awaiting forensic test results, to check the traces of methanol in his organs. It is only after this is released that the exact cause of death can be established.
Mani was admitted to a hospital in Kochi after vomiting blood, which had raised suspicion.
A police team, including forensic experts, was sent to the actor’s outhouse in Chalakudy where he was found unconscious before he was rushed to the hospital. According to ManoramaOnline, police have questioned five people in this regard.
His family had requested the autopsy to establish the exact cause of death.
It is reported that Mani had been long suffering from liver and kidney-related ailments, and has been undergoing treatment. According to thenewsminute, a case of unnatural death was registered by the Chalakudy police. An FIR was filed under Section 174 CrPc at the Chalakudy police station, based on a complaint lodged by the actor’s brother Ramakrishnan.
His body was sent for post-mortem at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thrissur.
India's 'The Hindu' newspaper quoted actor Edavela Babu, "A decision on whether to keep the body for the public to pay homage in Thrissur would be taken later. Efforts are on to conduct the cremation at Chalakudy by Monday evening."
Mani, who worked as an auto-rickshaw driver, found his true calling as a mimicry artist. The move into the Malayalam film industry was gradual, with his acting debut in the 1984 popular children's movie 'My Dear Kuttichathan'. It wasn’t until ‘Sallapam’ in 1996 that his efforts were noticed. His big recognition came in 2000, when his portrayal of a blind man in the family drama ‘Vasantiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum’ won him the special jury award at the national and the state level.
With a career spanning nearly two decades, Mani has acted in over 200 Malayalam and Tamil movies.
Mani was known not just for his unique acting style, but also his deep voice. Apart from acting, he has also sang in 25 movies, and has been a regular at music concerts.
The actor’s death came as a shock to the Malayalam fraternity. Many rushed to the hospital to pay homage, and even took to their social media platforms to express their condolence. Actors Dileep and Manju Warrier were the first few to reach the hospital.
"RIP Mani chetta! A huge loss to our industry. Have always had such warm interactions with him. Can't believe it," wrote actor Dulquer Salmaan.
"The ethnic sound of Malayalam cinema is gone silent...irreparable loss RIP Kalabhavan Mani," tweeted Resul Pookutty.
"Yet another sad news and a big loss to the industry versatile actor Kalabhavan Mani is no more with us shocking. Life is so fragile," wrote Lakshmi Rai.
"Very sad to hear that Kalabhavan Mani is no more. Super talented actor of Malayalam cinema," wrote Kushbhoo.
The actor is survived by his wife and daughter.
The year has started out on a rough note, with the Malayalam industry losing actor Kalpana, lyricist O N V Kurup, directors Rajesh Pillai and Mohan Roop, cinematographer Anandakuttan, composer Rajamani and musician Shan Johnson.