Kalabhavan Mani- Indian film actor

Mani Raman (1 January 1971 – 6 March 2016), better known 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 renowned for his comedy, character and villain roles. He won the National Film Award and Kerala State Film Award in 1999 for his stupendous performance as Ramu in Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum.

Early life
Mani was born in Chalakudy, Kerala on 1 January 1971. He started his career as a mimicry artist with the drama group Kalabhavan.[3] He started his acting career in the Malayalam film Aksharam as an auto rickshaw driver.[citation needed] Mani was married to Veterinary physician Dr. Nimmy on 22 September 2000 and has a daughter, Sree Lakshmy. He was once an autorickshaw driver from Chalakudy.

Career
He has acted in more than 200 films in Malayalam. 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 leading role was in the film Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum. His first music album was Kannimanga Prayathil. He has since established a parallel industry of folk songs selling a record number of releases. He has also released a few religious songs and Mappila Pattukal. Mani's started his career portraying comedic roles in Malayalam films which later shifted to character and villain roles. Eventually he became popular all across South India portraying negative characters in a very different class and style. Mani is well known for his down to earth behavior and providing various humanitarian aids to people in needs. Mani was approached and offered a seat in the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election by LDF.

Death

Kalabhavan Mani died on 6th March 2016 at Amrita Hospital, which is thought to have been caused by methyl alcohol consumption. The cause of his death is investigated by Kochi City Police. His death led to reactions from many of his co-stars in the Malayalam Film Industry and the rest of the South Indian Film Industry.Autopsy is scheduled for 8 March 2016.