Remembering 10 Most Popular Malayalam Celebrities Who Left Us In 2016

The sad news of Kalpana’s demise was the first big shock to Malayalam film lovers in 2016. She passed away while she was in Hyderabad for the shooting of a movie. It was declared that heart attack was the cause of death. Being one of those few actresses who never lost their perfect comedy timing, made Kalpana the undisputed “Queen of Comedy” in Malayalam cinema. But she was not just a comedy actor, her performance in character roles were equally popular. She acted in around 300 movies in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu.

Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu Kurup popularly known as ONV Kurup is someone whom every Malayali knows well. He was the most renowned Malayalam poet in the modern times and held a place equal to that of the modern triumvirate poets (Adhunika Kavitharayngal) in the literary field and in the hearts of every Malayali. ONV poems had enriched the Malayalam film songs section, which can only be matched by Vayalar’s contribution. There are no words to fathom the gap that ONV’s death has left in the socio-literary-cinema fields of Malayalam.

It won’t be wrong to term Rajamani as the pioneer in Malayalam film music, who made the audience understand the importance of background scores. If you still get thrilled by hearing the BGM of Mohanlal’s Aaram Thamburan, then thank Rajamani for that. He was the most popular composer in Malayalam for almost three decades. He had composed songs and BGMs for over 700 movies in 10 languages. Though he wasn’t active in films when he departed from us forever because of a cardiac arrest, forgetting his contributions will be a cardinal sin.

Rajesh Pillai had only directed 5 films, before he passed away due to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. But he is revered as the filmmaker who kick-started the trend of new generation films in Malayalam. In fact, when in 2011, his second movie, Traffic, was released, no one thought that it will set a trend, which will bring an overhaul to the way Malayalam films are made and viewed. There are few people, who might not have a lot under their belt, but the little they have is enough to remember them forever, and Rajesh Pillai belongs to that category.

Kunnisseri Veettil Raman Mani better known as Kalabhavan Mani will be the first name to pop up in our minds when we think of Malayalam actors who died in 2016. That’s how deeply he had touched our lives through his acting and personal life. Mani’s death is also the one which is surrounded by a lot of mysteries and controversies. Though the official statement read unnatural death, the real reason for Mani’s demise is still unknown. Kalabhavan Mani and his rise to stardom is a true dream come reality. From being a filler on mimicry stages, Mani rose to be an actor unparalleled and proved his potential by winning even a national award for best actor. This great actor will be remembered till the last days of Malayalam films.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, VD Rajappan was the name that would draw a massive crowd to any stage show or events. Though he acted in close to 40 Malayalam films, it’s sad to say that he was never used to his full potential on the big screen. But he was the uncrowned king of Malayalam 'Kadhaprasangam' (storytelling performance). To phrase better, VD Rajappan was the Jagathy Sreekumar of stage events, or even more. The space that is vacant due to his death, can never be filled.

Jishnu was another talent we lost, even before we could witness his full potential. He debuted with Nammal in 2002 and was marked as the next big star in Malayalam, due to his stunning performance. But, the subsequent movies of his didn’t get noticed, following which he took a break. Then he returned with Ordinary in 2012, which caught the attention of many. Before he could create a spot for himself in films, he met his nemesis, throat and lung cancer, which eventually took him away. But, only after putting up a brave fight, showing a great amount of resilience.

Kavalam Narayana Panicker had given big contributions to the fields of Malayalam cinema, theater, and literature. Mostly known as a poet, Kavalam had given really beautiful lyrics to Malayalam movies and played an instrumental role in keeping up the quality in professional theater stages. He was also a renowned dramatist and theater director. In his early days, he had collaborated with international theater groups on various fusion productions. Kavalam will be missed a lot, especially in the theater drama field.

TA Rasaq was one of those few screenwriters who can build up a screenplay for commercial as well as non-commercial movies, with the same ease. His screenplays always had human emotions of love and care, playing a major role. Movies like Rappakal, Vesham, Ayirathil Oruvan and Perumazhakalam are the best examples of that. He passed away due to liver related diseases.

Jagannatha Varma, in his own words, was the go-to guy to play the role of a media baron or a high-level clergyman in the mass commercial entertainers in Malayalam. But he was more than that and he did prove that through his various roles in a film career that lasted for over 35 years. Though never a lead actor, Jagannatha Varma was one of the best supporting actors to have come on the big screen. He also proved his metal on the mini-screen by portraying strong characters in over 10 TV serials, which included the most popular Malayalam serial, Jwalayayi.