Malayalam actor and mimicry artist Kalabhavan Haneef passed away in Kochi at the age of 63 on Thursday. According to reports, the actor had been undergoing treatment for respiratory difficulties at a private hospital in Kochi.

Born in Mattancherry, Haneef began his career as a mimicry artist and later excelled in theatre. He joined Kalabhavan, a performing arts learning centre in Kochi, where he became a prominent member of the mimicry troupe. Kalabhavan Haneef marked his entry into films with Cheppukilukkana Changathi (1990) and went on to feature in over 150 movies. Some of his popular films include Sandesham, Godfather, Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji, Thenkasipattanam, Ee Parakkum Thalika, Chota Mumbai, Ustad Hotel, Drishyam, Amar Akbar Anthony and Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan, and 2018, which is India’s official entry to Oscars 2024. His last appearance was in Jaladhara Pumpset Since 1962, which also starred Urvashi and Indrans.

Celebrities across the Malayalam film industry mourned the demise of Haneef.