Another huge loss to Malayalam cinema – actor Kalabhavan Mani has departed. The actor, who was undergoing treatment for liver and kidney-related diseases at a hospital in Kochi, breathed his last Sunday evening.
Actors and filmmakers could not believe it when the news when the news broke.
Mammootty, Prithviraj and Jayasurya were the first among actors who took to social media to pay tribute to the versatile actor.
I can't get over the shock! Mani Chetta..there was so much more you had to give..this is unfair!! Rest in peace!
— Prithviraj Sukumaran (@PrithviOfficial) March 6, 2016
An all time favourite film and one of it's best scenes! Shot this at 4 am..and we were singing between shots! pic.twitter.com/h7qRUcGAhY
— Prithviraj Sukumaran (@PrithviOfficial) March 6, 2016
CM Oommen Chandy too expressed condolences over Mani's demise.
ശ്രീ കലാഭവൻ മണിയ്ക്ക് ആദരാഞ്ജലി pic.twitter.com/C6aHt7jQRb
— Oommen Chandy (@Oommen_Chandy) March 6, 2016
Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty termed Mani as the 'ethnic sound of Malayalam cinema'.
The ethnic sound of Malayalam cinema is gone silent...irreparable loss RIP#KalabhavanMani
— resul pookutty (@resulp) March 6, 2016
Actor Suriya tweeted, "Respects to a great performer!A Good friend."
#kalabhavanmani Respects to a great performer!A Good friend.Will cherish time spent with him! Rest In Peace sir. pic.twitter.com/XMUC4OL1ZT
— Suriya Sivakumar (@Suriya_offl) March 6, 2016
Actor-politician Khusbu said that Mani was a super talented actor.
Very sad 2 hear tat #KalabhavanMani is no more..super talented actor of malayalam cinema..he ws jus 46..v r losing too many talents off late
— khushbusundar (@khushsundar) March 6, 2016
Director Sangeeth Sivan said that the year of 2016 has started badly for film industry in Kerala with a number of artists breathing their last.
Another Malayalam Actor breathes his last #kalabhavanMani. The year has started badly for the film industry in kerala #RIP
— sangeeth sivan (@sangeethsivan) March 6, 2016
"Shocked by the demise of KalabhavanMani. I witnessed him rowing in the NehruTrophy BoatRace just five years ago. RIP," Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted.
Rest in peace my brother..will really miss u..may God give ur family the strength to carry on..huge loss to cinema pic.twitter.com/aXgIquAOld
— Sreesanth (@sreesanth36) March 6, 2016
Industry tracker Sreedhar Pillai said Mani passed away at a young age of 45. He also said that there were rumours that Kalabhavan Mani would be contesting in the upcoming Kerala elections.
#KalabhavanMani died very young at 45. The entire Malayalam industry is in a state of shock.
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) March 6, 2016
Kalabhavan Mani. We will miss the beautiful rusticity that you brought into movies. RIP
— SP (@inquestioner) March 6, 2016