Kalabhavan Mani’s untimely death has certainly left a void in the film industry. It may be mentioned here that the veteran actor passed away under mysterious circumstance, leaving his fans shell shocked. Now, filmmaker Vinayan has said that he will be making a movie inspired by the life of Kalabhavan Mani.

Director Vinayan has revealed that the film has been titled Chalakudykkaran Changathi and that he is in the process of finalising the star cast. He has been quoted by the Deccan Chronicle as saying, “The movie is titled Chalakudykkaran Changathi and the casting process is underway. The scripting is also going on. The movie is planned to go on floors by mid-October. A fresh face will be cast in the lead role.”

The director, however, made it clear that the film is not about Kalabhavan Mani but has been inspired by his life. In this regard, he stated, “The movie is not about Kalabhavan Mani, but is based on his life. The life of a talented boy from a lower caste who makes it big in the film industry and how he slowly loses grip of it. It will shed light on how our society still marginalises dark-skinned people.” The director is reported to have said that he is in the process roping in a new face for the lead role.

Kalabhavan Mani made his debut with My Dear Kuttichathan in 1984 and has since then acted in numerous films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.

The actor also went on to win the Special Jury Award in 2000 for Vasantiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum and the Kerala State Film Award for his role in the same film in 1999. Kalabhavan Mani died on the night of 6 March 2016, aged 45.

(Content provided by Digital Native)