Kalabhavan Mani

 Kalabhavan Mani

Kunnisseri Veettil Raman Mani (1 January 1970 – 6 March 2016), better known by his stage name Kalabhavan Mani, was an Indian film actor and singer. Kalabhavan Mani started his career as a mimicry artist with the Kalabhavan comedy troupe. He had starred in over 200 films, including Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu films, and was renowned for his humorous characters and villain roles.

He started his career as a mimicry artist with the drama group Cochin Kalabhavan.^[7] He started his acting career in the Malayalam film Aksharam as an auto rickshaw driver.^{[citation needed]}He got his first major breakthrough in Sallapam (1996). Since then, he has acted in several movies as a comedian. His first leading role was in the film Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum. His first music album was (Thushima Guntharo)Kannimanga Prayathil. He has since established a parallel industry of folk songs (nadan pattu) selling a record number of releases. He has also released a few religious songs and Mappila Pattukal. Mani started his career portraying comic roles in Malayalam films which later shifted to character and villain roles. He was cast as the protagonist in movies like Vasanthiyum LakshmiyumPinneNjaanum, Karumadikkuttan, Ben Johnson, Aayirathil Oruvan, Valkannadi, Lokanathan IAS, Kerala Police, Red Salute etc. Eventually he portrayed negative characters. Mani is well known for providing humanitarian assistance to people in need.^[8] Mani was approached and was offered a seat in the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election by LDF. He had openly told that he was a Leftist and used to Campaign for CPI(M) and left parties during elections.

Charity

Mani provided generously and did a lot of charity work for the poor people. Reportedly, on an average day, around 20 people from less privileged backgrounds used to come to visit him at his residence. He then wholeheartedly donated money, repaid debts and offered to help them. He is therefore often referred to with the title of "poor man's superstar" in Kerala.^[9] As a fund-raiser and performer, he also had contributed money to the local festivals of the religious organisations and provided funds to the schools in his village.^[10][11] He adopted two Adivasi Colonies in Athirappilly area and fed them. He used to take Adivasi kids to Tour and used to spend time with students from all over the country.

Life

Kalabhavan Mani was born in Kerala ^[3] to Chenathunad Kunnisseri Veettil Raman and Ammini at Chalakudy, Thrissur District on New Year's Day in 1971. He had an elder brother, Velayudan (deceased),^[4] younger brother, R. L. V. Ramakrishnan (dancer) and four sisters, Thankamani, Leela, Santha and Ammini Jr. He studied at GLPS East School Chalakudy till 4th grade and Government Boys School, Chalakudy till 10th grade.^[5]

Mani married to Nimmy on 22 September 1999 and has a daughter. He was once an autorickshaw driver from Chalakudy.^[6] His brother, R. L. V. Ramakrishnan acted in Bamboo Boys in a cameo role, starring alongside Cochin Haneefa, his brother, Harisree Ashokan and Salim Kumar

Death

Kalabhavan Mani died at 7:15 pm on 6 March 2016, aged 45. The day before, he was admitted to Amrita Hospital, Kochi, with haematemesis (vomiting of blood) and was in the ICU.^[12][13] The police registered a case as unnatural death due to the presence of excessive methyl alcohol (a toxic chemical found in illicitly distilled liquor, Arrack) with acetaminophen in Kalabhavan Mani's body.^[14]

On 8 March 2016, based on the initial autopsy report and statements of witnesses, the police said that serious alcoholic fatty liver illness along with alcohol consumption may have caused his death and it might have been a suicide attempt. Four months prior to his death, doctors had categorically warned him against drinking alcohol and he was counselled for severe depression. However, Mani in his phase of depression and informed severe liver damage conditions, ignored the doctors' warnings and continued with alcoholism. Even on the day before he died, he was allegedly reported consuming alcohol (beer) with friends in the outhouse of his house.^[15][16]

His unexpected death led to a case by his friends and family which has been filed for investigation through Kochi City Police.^[17] On 18 March 2016, based on the forensic test from the Regional Chemical Examiner's Laboratory, death cause was identified with high probability a highly poisonous chemical, Chlorpyrifos—usually used in insecticides, which is banned in many countries for residential use, it is considered as a hazardous substance for general ecology. Presence of chlorpyrifos along with methyl and ethyl alcohol contents were found excessively in the test samples. The report suggests that Mani might have consumed the poison knowingly or unknowingly over the days before his death. Therefore, the Government of Kerala has ordered a comprehensive probe in the death of Mani. The police is rounding the case through whom Mani could have accessed this poisonous concoction for substance abuse. Under RLV Ramakrishnan's suspicion Mani's three close friends have been taken into custody for questioning to rule out activities of vested interest.^{[18][19][20][21]} On 11 June 2016, based on the recommendation of the state DGP, the Government of Kerala has decided the case to be investigated by CBI.^[22] In May 2017 CBI took over the case and submitted FIR in which it was stated that the death of Kalabhavan Mani was due to unusual reasons^[23]