It’s been a month since Kalabhavan Mani’s untimely death shocked his fans and colleagues. In a career spanning more than 20 years, he made us laugh, sing, cry, and scream with fright. It had been a while since we saw him on the silver screen – probably been busy with his work in the other film industries for he had made his mark in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu films.
This Friday sees the release of one of his last films – Yathra Chodikkathe directed by Anish Varma. Ironically, the name, which loosely translated means ‘leaving without saying goodbye’, was what Mani’s sudden demise was to his fans and others alike. One is tempted to ask the director if it was a case of the film being re-christened, given the circumstances of its release. “Not at all, this is what the film was called right from day one. Unfortunately the events turned out thus,” says Anish over the phone. He has directed the yet-to-be released Kavyam ; this is his second Malayalam film as director, he has also directed one in Tamil. He produced the Dileep-Kavya Madhavan starrer Thilakkam .
He says Mani was the first and only choice when it came to casting the lead. It is almost as if the script was written for the late actor. In the film, shot extensively in Kuttanad, Mani essays the role of a coolie and the father of a teenage daughter. “We approached him and he said okay immediately. It has been a while since he had done a typically rustic character as this. It has been a while since we have seen him in a role such as this. The last character he portrayed along these lines was in Vaasanthiyum, Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum .” His role in the film got him awards and appreciation.
The film had been completed more than seven months ago, post-production took time, Anish says. The movie pans in on the father-daughter relationship between Mani and his screen daughter, essayed by actor Ammu, who had acted in the Jayaram-starrer Swapna Sanchari .
“Balan, the character essayed by Mani, is a serious character. His ‘daughter’ moves to the city, Kochi, and the changes that are wrought upon the relationship forms the basis for the story. It is a contemporary theme.” Reena Basheer essays the role of Mani’s wife. The cast includes lyricist Anil Panachooran and Sadiq among others. The music is by Kaithapram Vishwanathan Nambudiri and cinematography by Ramachandran.
On working with Mani, Anish says, “He had no hassles whatsoever. He’d come on the sets and work as long as it was required. He gave us no problems.”
