Malayalam actor Kunju Mohammed, seen in minor roles since the late '80s, passed away on Tuesday on the sets of the new Fahadh Faasil movie, Njan Prakashan.
The 68-year-old actor, fondly called Kunjikka, had reportedly suffered chest pain and collapsed on the set of the film, directed by Sathyan Anthikad. He was taken to Aster Medicity Hospital but was declared dead.
According to a Mathrubhumi report, he was close with director Kamal, both of whom belong to Mathilakam, in Thrissur. Kamal has offered him small roles in his films like Pradeshika Varthakal, Ee Puzhayum Kadannu and Aami. He had reportedly begun his film career as a production boy for the film Inapravukal before turning into an actor. Kunjikka was seen in minor roles in the films of directors Lal Jose, Aashiq Abu and Sugeeth.
Manju Warrier, who was the female lead in Ee Puzhayum Kadannu and Aami, remembers Kunju Mohammed as a man who was full of love. In a Facebook post, the actor wrote that Kunju Mohammed died the way any artiste would hope to – in his costume, while he was acting. “The same luck that artistes like Guru Gopinath, Madavoor Asan, Alumoodan chettan and Geethanandan mash had. I know him from the time of Ee Puzhayum Kadannu. He was with me in Aami too. Even if the role was small, Kunju Mohammed ikka would be on the sets till the end. He would cheer everyone up with his jokes. Sometimes he would bring food from home. A man who had always served love. Goodbye to dear ikka,” Manju Warrier posted.
Actor Maala Parvathi too paid her respects on Facebook. “He used to be sore at me about not visiting his home. We became close in the sets of Godha. Salutations to ikka,” she wrote.