Kalabhavan Mani Biography

Born	Mani Raman Chenathunad Kunnisseri Veettil 1 January 1971 Chalakudy, Kerala, India
Died	6 March 2016 (aged 45) Kochi, Kerala, India
Occupation	Film actor, playback singer, music director
Years active	1995 – 2016
Notable work	vasanthiyum lakshmiyum pinne njanum, summer in bethlahem, karimadikkuttan, kottaram veetil appoottan
Spouse(s)	Nimmy (m.2000)
Children	Sree Lakshmy
Parent(s)	Chenathunad Kunnisseri Veettil Raman Ammini Raman

Mani Raman (1 January 1971 – 6 March 2016), commonly referred to by his stage name Kalabhavan Mani, was an Indian film actor and singer. Mani started his career as a mimicry artist with the Kalabhavan troupe. He has starred in over 200 films, including Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films, and is especially known for his character and villain roles. He won the National Film Award and Kerala State Film Award in 1999 for his performance as Ramu in Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum.

Personal life

Mani was born in Chalakudy, Kerala on 1st of January 1971. He started his career as a mimicry artist in Kalabhavan, Kochi. He started his acting career in the Malayalam film Aksharam as an auto driver. Since then, he has acted in several movies as a comedian. His first serious role was in the film "Vasanthiyum Laksmiyum Pinne Njanum". He has acted in more than 80 films in Malayalam and more than 20 films in Tamil.He is also a professional playback singer and a singer of Nadan Paattu (folk songs). His first album was Kannimanga Prayathil. He has since established a parallel industry of Nadan Pattukal selling a record number of releases. He has also released a few religious songs and Mappila Pattukal, which have not had much success in the market. Mani’s career started portraying comedic roles primarily in Malayalam films which later shifted to serious roles. Eventually he became popular all across South India portraying negative characters in a very different class and style. Despite all the popularity, Mani is well known for his down to earth behavior and providing various humanitarian aids to people in need.Mani was married to Veterinary physician Dr. Nimmy on 22 September 2000 and he is survived by his wife and his daughter, Sree Lakshmy. He was once an autorickshaw driver from Chalakudy.. Mani was approached and offered a seat in the 2016 kerala legislative assembly election by LDF.

Death

The actor was undergoing treatment for liver and kidney related diseases. On 6 March 2016, Kalabhavan Mani died in Amrita Hospital, Cochin at around 7:15 pm, surrounded by his family.

Career

He started his career as a mimicry artist in Kalabhavan, Kochi. He started his acting career in the Malayalam film Aksharam as an auto rickshaw driver. He has acted in more than 200 films in Malayalam.

Awards and honors

National Film Awards:

• 2000 – Special Jury Award – Vasantiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum

Kerala State Film Awards:

• 1999 – Special Jury Award – Vasantiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum

Filmfare Awards

• 2002 – Best Villan (Tamil) – Gemini

Asianet Film Awards:

• 1999 – Best Actor Award – Vasantiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum
• 2007 – Best Actor in a Villain Role – Chotta Mumbai

Vanitha Award:

• 2008 – Vanitha Chandrika Award for Best Villain – Chotta Mumbai

Jaihind TV Award:

• 2010 – Special Jury Award

Other Awards

• 2014 Bharat Gopi Foundation Award

Controversies

It was reported that two forest officials were assaulted allegedly by actor Kalabhavan Mani at Kannankuzhi, near Athirappilly, on Tuesday night (14 May 2013). Range officer U.G. Ramesan and beat forester P. Raveendran sustained injuries on the chest, hands, legs and eyes. The forest officials said that Mani was inebriated.

In December 2013, a complaint was lodged against actor Kalabhavan Mani for misbehaving towards customs officials of the Nedumbassery Airport. It has been alleged that the actor, who reached from Kuwait, misbehaved during customs checking. The customs said the actor threw the bangle which he was wearing when asked whether it was gold.

Later the Customs sources said the CCTV footage of 28 November 2013 when he went abroad was examined and it was found that he was wearing the bangle. Hence, he was asked to deposit Rs 5,000 as redemption fine and Rs 2,000 as penalty. The matter was adjudicated by Deputy Commissioner Saz Navaz and the bangle released. 

Filmography

Tamil films

Telugu films

• Evadaithe Nakenti (2007)
• Narasimhudu (2005)
• Arjun (2004)
• Gemini (2002)

As playback singer

• Sammanam (1995)
• Kottaram Veettile Apputtan (1998)
• Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu (1999)
• O Priye (2000)
• Achaneyanishttam (2001)
• Akasthile Paravakal (2001)
• The Guard (2001)
• Karumadikkuttan (2001)
• Bamboo Boys (2002)
• Kanmashi (2002)
• Vaalkannadi (2002)
• Kusruthy Kannan (2003)
• Kanninum Kannadiykkum (2004)
• Kazhcha (2004)
• Malsaram (2004)
• Ananthabhadram (2005)
• Ben Johnson (2005)
• Chacko Randaaman (2006)
• Kissan (2006)
• Red Salute (2006)
• Abraham Lincoln (2007)
• Evan (2007)
• Kabadi Kabadi (2008)
• Twenty Twenty (2010)

As music director

• Mani Muzhagunnathu Arkkuvendi (2011) Album song
• MLA Mani Pathaam Classum Gusthiyum (2012)

Story

• MLA Mani Pathaam Classum Gusthiyum (2012)

Television

• Manimelam as host (Kairalitv)
• Vinodsala (Doordarshan)
• Chiri Arangu (Doordarshan)