Kunchacko Boban- A star in his own birthright

Kunchacko Boban- A star in his own birthright 

November 1976, There was rejoicement in the Camps of Udaya Pictures and Navodaya Pictures for Kunchacko's Grandson was born. The grandson was called Kunchacko Boban. He was born 5 months after his grandpa met his end. 

Kunchacko was introduced to movies quite early in life in Dhanya directed by Fazil who was the godfather of the New Gen Movement that started in 1980.  After a 17 year break to focus on Academics, He made his adult debut in Aniyathipraavu with Shalini. That movie released on 1997 and became a breakthrough. He became the heartthrob of the ladies. He was later cast in Romantic comedies and that cemented his image as a Chocolate boy Hero after Rajesh Khanna of Bollywood.

Kunchacko's performance as Saajan in Kasthooriman by A.K Lohithadas made us discover that there was a performer in him. Post his marriage, He went on a 3 year break and later made a comeback with Gulmaal the Escape by Shafi. He later revealed that he needed this break in order to avoid getting typecast.

Rajesh Pillai's Traffic was not just the revival of Kunchacko as a powerhouse performer but also the revamp of the New Generation Movement that focused on bringing new stories and techniques in filmmaking.

Kunchacko later starred in Mallu Singh which was his half century in his filmography. He landed other comical and character roles. He also starred in a women centric How Old Are You which was the comeback of Manju Warrier. 

He starred in Mahesh Narayanan's internationally recognized movie Take Off. He revamped Udaya Pictures with Kochuvaa Paulo Ayyappa Coelho which was directed by his friend Siddartha Siva. He also delivered a controlled performance in Virus which was based on the Nipah Virus Outbreak.

His graceful dance moves made us fall for his moves. His recent release Nna Thaan Case Kodu directed by Ratheesh Balakrishna Poduvaal was about a reformed thief framed for theft and also bitten by a dog. It also was noted for revisiting a classic track Devadoothar Paadi which made him well known for his Teff Dance moves.

Kunchacko Boban has become a performer and is an example of a person who changes his image to reinvent himself. Chaakochaa We love you.

Kalabhavan Mani - Superstar of Mimicry

Kalabhavan Mani - Superstar of Mimicry 

Jan 1st 1971, It was New Year's Day that the world has been celebrating. In that same here, a baby's cry resonated with the New Year Celebration at Chalakudy. The young baby was born in a middle class family as Kuniserri Veetil Raman Mani. 

He found himself a talent in the art of mimicry. This talent landed him a place at Cochin Kalabhavan which boasted of its talents like Harisree Ashokan, Dileep, Siddque, Lal, Jayaram and Shajohn. While the other people mimicked actors, Mani was an expert at mimicking animals.

He bagged his first role as an auto driver which was in actuality his real job in Aksharam which starred Suresh Gopi. His Standout role came in Sallapam which starred Manju Warrier the future Lady Superstar of Mollywood.

He was also a comedian who could make us Roll on the floor laughing until our stomachs burst. Other than Comic Roles, He also was well known for playing character roles and villain roles. His role as a blind musician in Vinayan's Tragedy Vasnthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum won him a National Award in a Special Mention. 

Mani's villainous roles were the roles that could scare the living daylights out of the audience. One Example would be Teja from Saran's Gemini which starred Chiyaan Vikram, A Versatile Icon. Another role as Sakkarapandi in Vel directed by Hari known for his movies under the sickle genre also made us run for dear life.

He also was credited for bringing popularity to Malayalam folk songs and was also a great singer. His character roles made us sympathize with him. 

On March 6th 2016, Mani passed away of a heart attack at the age of 45. This was a big shocker in Mollywood as well as the mimicry world. He was such a man who stuck to and remembered his middle class roots. 

So long Mani Chettan. We will remember you for eons to come.