2016 is just into its third month, but it has already become one of the most haunted periods of Malayalam cinema. As we sift through the Mollywood stars who have faded into eternal sleep, it seems as if The Almighty sought a movie by His own countrymen. Onmanorama takes a look at the gems of Malayalam cinema summoned by the Almighty this year.
Jishnu
Malayalam cinema loses one more gem this year, Jishnu. The actor stepped into the limelight 14 years ago as Sivan in the movie Nammal. The son of yesteryear popular actor Raghavan, Jishnu was a B. Tech graduate from NIT Calicut and had acted in more than 20 films. He had been undergoing treatment for cancer for quite some time.
Kalabhavan Mani
Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani passed away at a private hospital in Kochi on March 6, aged 45. The actor was undergoing treatment for liver and kidney related diseases. He was declared dead at 7.15 pm.
Rajesh Pillai
Noted director Rajesh Raman Pillai, who rose to fame with his Malayalam movie Traffic, passed away at the age of 41 on February 27. Pillai was suffering from non-alcoholic liver cirrhosis 'Vettah director Rajesh Pillai dies' and was getting ready for a liver transplant.
Also Read: Gone too soon: Mollywood filmmakers who died before their time
Kalpana
Malayalam actress Kalpana, 51, who passed away on January 25, 2016 was found unconscious at a hotel room in Hyderabad, where she was staying as part of the shooting of her upcoming Telugu movie. She was rushed to Apollo Hospital, and was declared dead following a heart attack. Excelling across genres with characteristic ease and finesse, Kalpana leaves behind 300-odd films and innumerable moments to cherish.
Shan Johnson
Shan Johnson, 29, who was found dead in her apartment in Chennai on February 5 was perhaps the most experienced among the new-generation music composers in Malayalam cinema. While a report said that the young singer died after suffering a cardiac arrest, another report said that epileptic seizures could have resulted in her death.
ONV Kurup
Renowned Malayalam poet-lyricist and Jnanpith Award winner O.N.V. Kurup, 84, passed away at a private hospital on February 13. ONV, as he was popularly known, won the National Award for the Best Lyricist for his work in the 1989 movie Vaishali. The songs, ONV penned for KPAC, one of the oldest theatre groups in the state, are still evergreen favourites of music buffs buffs, irrespective of generations.
Anandakuttan
Anandakuttan was undergoing treatment for cancer and passed away at the age of 61 on February 14. A prodigious cinematographer, Anandakuttan wielded camera for more than 150 films. Though Anandakuttan had started out in the time of Prem Nazir, he always caught up with the latest techniques of cinematography.
Rajamani
Noted music director Rajamani, 60, who has composed background score for hundreds of Malayalam films, passed away on February 14. Son of musician B.A. Chidambaranath, Rajamani had also composed songs for over 70 Malayalam movies and was very active in the industry.
VD Rajappan
Rajappan, who acted in over 50 Malayalam movies, was known for his unique style of presenting 'Kadhaprasangam' in a satirical manner. He was the centre of attraction at festival grounds in Kerala at the peak of his career in 1970s and 80s.
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