Hakim Rawther, [1] known mononymously as Hakim, was an Indian actor and film maker in Malayalam cinema. He was known for his directional debut The Guard (2001), which is the world's first film with only a single actor in the cast. He had also acted in supporting roles in several Malayalam movies.[ citation needed ]
Hakim was from Kottayam, Kerala. Before entering cinema, he was a mimicry artist. He was one of the first members of Cochin Kalabhavan. He accompanied singer K. J. Yesudas as a session mimicry artist during the period 1979-89. He has been a common face in Jayaraj's films. He has also acted in supporting roles with many other directors. He debuted as a director with The Guard (2001), which was the world's first film with only an actor on screen. [2] [3]
Hakim was married to Ghazal writer and singer Devi Menon. [1] The couple did not have any children. He died of cerebral hemmorage on 5 September 2013 at Kottayam, aged 58. [4]
Jayaram Subramaniam,, is an Indian actor who works predominantly in Malayalam cinema, in addition to Tamil and Telugu language films. He is also a chenda percussionist, mimicry artist, and occasional playback singer. Jayaram has acted in more than 200 films and received several awards, including the Padma Shri, two Kerala State Film Awards, one Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and four Filmfare Awards South.
Jayasurya is an Indian actor, distributor, sponsor, model, film producer, playback singer, and impressionist who works in Malayalam films. He has appeared in more than 100 films and has won several awards, including a National Film Award, three Kerala State Film Awards, two Filmfare Awards South for acting and Best Actor at the Cincinnati Film Festival held in Cincinnati, US. Jayasurya has also appeared in a few Tamil films.
Kunnisseri Veettil Raman Mani, better known by his stage name Kalabhavan Mani, was an Indian actor and singer. Mani started his career as a mimicry artist with the Kalabhavan comedy troupe. He had starred in over 250 films, including Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu films, and was renowned for his humorous characters and villain roles.
Kisan is a 2006 Indian Malayalam-language sports drama film directed by Sibi Malayil. The film stars Biju Menon, Kalabhavan Mani, Bhavana, and Geethu Mohandas. It was first titled Ilakal Pacha Pookal Manja and was planned to release in early 2004. Due to some technical difficulties, the film was shelved and the shooting began in 2006.
Gemini is a 2002 Indian Tamil-language crime action film written and directed by Saran with Pon Elango as assistant director. This film was produced by AVM Productions. The film stars Vikram in the main lead role, while Kiran Rathod, Murali, Kalabhavan Mani, Vinu Chakravarthy, Manorama and Thennavan portray significant roles. Based on gang wars in Chennai, the film delves into the lives of outlaws and the roles the police and society play in their rehabilitation and acceptance.
Salim Kumar is an Indian actor, comedian, director and writer in Malayalam cinema. Mostly known for his comic and comedy roles, Salim Kumar is considered one of the best and most prominent comedians in the history of Malayalam cinema.
Kasi is a 2001 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Vinayan. A remake of the director's own Malayalam film Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum (1999), the film has Vikram playing the eponymous character of a blind village singer, while Kaveri and Kavya Madhavan play supporting roles. The film was produced by Aroma Mani for Sunitha Productions. The film score and soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
A. C. Sainuddin, mononymously known as Zainuddin, was an Indian actor, assistant director and comedian, who worked in Malayalam cinema.
Vettam (transl. Light) is a 2004 Indian Malayalam-language screwball comedy film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas and Priyadarshan. It was produced by Menaka, Keerthy Suresh, and Revathy Sureshkumar through Revathy Kalamandhir. Dileep and Bhavna Pani lead an ensemble cast, also including Kalabhavan Mani, Innocent, Janardhanan, Nedumudi Venu, Jagathy Sreekumar, Cochin Haneefa, and Mamukkoya in supporting roles. The songs were composed by Berny-Ignatius and score by S. P. Venkatesh.
One Man Show is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film directed by Shafi and written by the Rafi Mecartin duo. It stars Jayaram, Mukesh, Samyuktha Varma, Lal, Manya, Kalabhavan Mani and Narendra Prasad. The story unfurls itself in the course of a TV game show. This film was a huge commercial success at the box office. The film was remade in Tamil as Kalakkura Chandru (2007).
Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum is a 1999 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by Vinayan based on a screenplay by J. Pallassery. The film features Kalabhavan Mani, Kaveri, Praveena and Sai Kumar in the lead roles. The film centers around Ramu, a blind poet and singer who supports his family. However, their happiness dissipates soon after he gets cheated by a rich businessman turned politician. The film is reported to be inspired from Dosti (1964).
My Dear Karadi is a 1999 Malayalam comedy drama film written by the duo Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas and directed by Sandhya Mohan with Kalabhavan Mani in the lead role. Kalabhavan Mani appears as a bear in major parts of the film. The film was remade in Tamil as Shiva Poojayil Karadi (unreleased), and in Malay as Cinta Beruang (2012) by Rama Narayanan. The film also reuses scenes from the film Mrugaya.
Karumadikkuttan is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by Vinayan and written by J. Pallasserry, starring Kalabhavan Mani, Kausalya and Suresh Krishna. The film also has Bharathi, Janardhanan, Sai Kumar Ganesh, Rajan P. Dev, Athira, Shivaji, Priyanka and Meena Ganesh in the cast.
Kanninum Kannadikkum is a 2004 Indian Malayalam language film directed by Sunderdas and starring Kalabhavan Mani and Monica.
Kalabhavan, also known as Cochin Kalabhavan, is a centre for learning performing arts in Kochi, India. Kalabhavan is notable and known for being the first organised performing mimicry group in Kerala and which popularised the art of mimicry in the state of Kerala. Ever since its founding, Kalabhavan has served as a grooming centre for acting aspirants. Hence, Kalabhavan has contributed numerous actors as well as film directors to Malayalam cinema.
The Guard is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language film directed and written by Hakim Rawther. Kalabhavan Mani plays all of the characters.
Tini Tom is an Indian actor, comedian and mimicry artist. He works in Malayalam films and television.
Shaji John, professionally credited by his stage name Kalabhavan Shajohn is an Indian actor, director and comedian who works primarily in Malayalam cinema. He started his career as a mimicry artist in Kalabhavan, Kochi. Making his debut in 1999 with My Dear Karadi and having made more than 90 appearances, he received a major breakthrough in his career with Drishyam (2013), in which he played a negative role. He made his directorial debut with Brother's Day starring Prithviraj. As of June 2021, he has starred in more than 130 Malayalam films.
Chalakkudikkaran Changathi is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by Vinayan and written by Ummer Muhammed from a story by Vinayan. It stars Senthil Krishna, Honey Rose, Dharmajan Bolgatty, and Salim Kumar. The film was inspired by the life story of Kalabhavan Mani.
Kalabhavan Haneef was an Indian actor and impressionist in Malayalam cinema. He made his debut with the film Cheppukilukkana Changathi (1991).