Year 2016 – An unpleasant year of demises to Malayalam Cinema

Every year witnesses the demise of many celebrities associated with cinema, and other forms of art. There is nothing strange about it. But the first half of year 2016 has been extremely shocking, particularly the first three months. Malayalam cinema has crossed 85 years and it’s for the first time so many celebrities from film fraternity die within a short period. It’s just co-incidence, Malayalam film industry has lost some of the eminent personalities from all sectors of filmmaking.

When less known actor Sudhakaran died on January 4, 2016 the news didn’t receive much hype. It was followed the deaths of film producer M O Joseph and film director V. R. Gopalakrishnan, which passed by without making any noise. But on last week of January the unexpected death of actress Kalpana shocked whole film world. This phenomenal actress is widely regarded as a legend among female comedians of Malayalam cinema, and no doubt she is extremely popular. She was fully active in the field and was only in her early 50s when she passed away leaving behind a legacy.

Five days later noted actor Kollam G. K. Pillai and famous television personality T. N. Gopakumar who has done brief roles in movies died exactly on the same day. T. N. Gopakumar was one of the most influential TV hosts among Malayalam channels, and he was only in his late 1950s. Within two weeks when Malayalam lost its most popular lyricist/poet of cinema as well as literature – O. N. V. Kurup, it was something like a series of deaths has begun. In between Malayalam also lost female upcoming music director Shan Johnson (daughter of Malayalam music legend – Johnson) and screenwriter Mani Shornur known for many popular movies.

Exactly one day after ONV’s death, Malayalam cinema lost one of its highly talented cinematographer –Anandakkuttan and the following day, Malayalam’s most successful background scorer Rajamani. After a series of deaths of four extremely popular and talented film celebrities within two weeks, sudden fear or trauma suddenly shocked Malayalam film circle, as if a sword of death is hanging just above. It was something like an unpleasant thing is to happen, and people started opening newspapers daily, expecting that some celebrity has become the victim of this series.

The series was not completed yet. On 27^th February, Malayalam lost one of its most talented new generation film directors, Rajesh Pillai who initiated new wave of film revolution in Malayalam cinema in 2012 through Traffic, a trend which is quite popular now. He was only 5 films old, and one of them was released posthumously – Traffic (Hindi), which marked his Bollywood debut. Most sad part is that he died just one day after the release of his last Malayalam film – Vettah.

First week of March also witnessed three unexpected deaths. After the suicide of commercial film director Mohan Roop and award winning director Nandan Kavil, there came the real shock. It was nothing short of the shock created by unexpected death of actress Kalpana. This time it was Malayalam’s one of the most celebrated actors Kalabhavan Mani known for his diverse roles. He was also credited to popularizing Malayalam folk songs. Mani died of liver related diseases, and his death was not easy for Malayalam audience to believe or digest. He was just 45. Two days later film director Saji Paravoor also passed away.

Same month, two more celebrities passed away – the comedian V. D. Rajappan also known as King of Malayalam Parody songs, and young actor Jishnu Raghavan of ‘Nammal Fame’. He was just 35 who fought and inspired many to fight against the dreadful disease cancer. The personality most recently added to the list are screenwriter Mathew Mattam and dramatist and writer, Kavalam Narayana Panicker. With the beginning of the second half of 2016, let us pray to Almighty, please don’t take any more!!!