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Noted Malayalam actor and mimicry artiste Kalabhavan Navas passed away on the evening of Friday, August 1, at the age of 51. He was found unresponsive in his hotel room in Chottanikkara, where he had been staying during the shoot of the upcoming film Prakambanam. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, but was declared dead on arrival.
Initial police reports suggest that a cardiac arrest may have caused his sudden death. A post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted on August 2 at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kalamassery to determine the exact cause.
According to hotel staff, Navas was due to check out that evening. When he failed to do so, employees entered his room and found him unconscious. Police confirmed that no suspicious materials were found at the scene.
A beloved figure in Kerala’s entertainment industry, Navas first gained recognition through mimicry, winning audiences over with his voice imitation skills and dynamic stage presence. He earned the title ‘Kalabhavan’ after joining the renowned Cochin Kalabhavan troupe, a training ground for many of Kerala’s iconic performers.
His film career began in 1995 with Chaithanyam, and he went on to act in several well-known movies, including Mattupetti Machan, Junior Mandrake, Chandamama, Mimics Action 500, and One Man Show. He remained active in stage shows and television, delighting audiences across Kerala with his comedic talent and versatility.
He is survived by his wife, film actor Rehna, and their three children — Naharin, Rihan, and Ridwan. His brother, Niaz Bakkar, is also a popular actor. Navas came from a family deeply rooted in the performing arts, and his late father Aboobacker was a respected theatre artist.
Expressing his condolences, the Chief Minister of Kerala said: "The untimely demise of film and television actor Kalabhavan Navas is deeply saddening. Entering the world of performing arts through mimicry, he gave new dimensions to the art of comedic imitation. Through his stage shows, he captured the hearts of many. Navas was also an artist who upheld progressive and democratic values. I express my heartfelt condolences on his passing and share in the grief of his family and all those who loved him."
Navas’ body is currently being kept at SD Tata Hospital in Chottanikkara and will be handed over to his family following the autopsy.
