Kalabhavan Mani death anniversary: 9 movies that keep him eternally close to Malayali hearts

Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum (1999): The Vinayan movie is considered Kalabhavan Mani's career-defining performance. He was excellent as Ramu, the blind, solo breadwinner of a lower-class family, winning the Special Jury Award at both state and national levels. The melodious songs of the movie, composed by Mohan Sithara, also played a pivotal role in establishing the movie as an all-time favourite for Malayalam film lovers. (Photo | YouTube)

Amen (2013): Lijo Jose Pellissery's superhit gave us Louis Pappan. Mani's performance as the veteran bandmaster is so heart-touching that the movie now remains a bitter reminder of how fabulous he would have been playing senior citizens. (Photo | YouTube)

Karumadikkuttan (2001): Set against the backdrop of agrarian Kuttanad, Mani delivered another evergreen role as a young man with below-average intelligence in this movie opposite Nandini. Another Vinayan project, 'Karumadikkuttan' had astonishingly brutal villains and scenes of depressing cruelty, but Mani's brilliant show in front of the camera and behind the microphone made it a big success at the box office. (Photo | EPS)

Ananthabhadram (2005): Santosh Sivan gave Mollywood a rare fantasy flick with 'Ananthabhadram.' A young Prithviraj in the lead role got sidelined by Manoj K Jayan's portrayal of Digambaran - the cunning and greedy black magician. Kalabhavan Mani's Chemban Gurukkal, the master martial artist blinded by Digambaran, was not far behind him in terms of intensity. He also sang the superhit song 'Malamalalooya' in the movie that bagged five state awards. (Photo | YouTube)

Valkannadi (2002): The revenge drama had Mani in the role of Appunni, a blacksmith with the history of mental illness. Along with Geethu Mohandas and KPAC Lalitha, Mani once again proved his mettle as a natural performer. (Photo | YouTube)

Rakshasa Rajavu (2001): Once again with Vinayan, Mani gave the audience a role to remember as Gunasekharan - a crooked politician with a mild speaking disability. The Mammootty-starrer, which also featured Meena, Dileep and Kavya Madhavan in important roles, had Mani transforming from an idiotic MLA in the initial scenes to a merciless slayer towards the climax. (Photo | YouTube)

Malayali Mamanu Vanakkam (2002): Not many Mollywood actors could speak Tamil with the ease and grace of Mani. Thiruppathy Perumal aka Muniyandi holds a grudge against all Malayalis as he still can't forgive his father-in-law for scarring him many years ago. Mani essayed the role of an angry man who is a caring husband and father at the same time quite wonderfully that Jayaram and Prabhu had to work really hard to keep up with him in this Rajasenan flick. (Photo | YouTube)

Chotta Mumbai (2007): Many movies have been made on the gang wars of Kochi. Gangsters wearing police uniforms have not been rare as well. But Nadeshan was different in many aspects and made the Mohanlal movie complete. (Photo | YouTube)

Bachelor Party (2012): Amal Neerad's star-studded crime drama had Mani playing Ayyappan, the oldest wolf of the pack that meets a cathartic end in the movie's climax. He was convincing as the gun swinging gangster who also has the face of a worrisome brother, hidden from his frends.