Kalabhavan Haneef (1959 or 1960–2023) was an Indian actor and mime artist known in the Malayalam entertainment industry. Known for his comic roles, he starred in over 150 Malayalam films over three decades, starting from 1991. He was part of Malayalam’ 2018: Everyone is a Hero (2023), which was selected by the Film Federation of India as India’s official Entry for International Feature Films Best at the 96th Academy Awards.
Wiki/Biography
Kalabhavan Muhammad Haneef was born in 1959 or 1960 (age 63 years; at death) in Mattancherry, Kerala, India. Since childhood, he had a great interest in mime and used to do mime during his school days. He caught the acting bug at a young age watching Malayalam films. During Haneef’s childhood, his two uncles, who had a keen interest in cinema, watched every Malayalam film. They would buy cinema-related magazines like Chitra Rama, Cinema, and Cinema Masika, published during that period and bring them home. Haneef grew up reading this magazine and dreamed of becoming an actor. His association with Kalabhavan started through his neighbor Zainuddin, an actor and mime artist.
Old picture of Kalabhavan Haneef
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 10″
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Hamza, runs a stationery shop in Mattancherry. His mother’s name is Zubaidah. Haneef is the eldest of five siblings.
Kalabhavan Haneef with his mother
Wife & Children
On October 12, 1990, he married Wahidha Haneef. Together, they have two children, a daughter, Sithara Ismail, and a son, Sharooqu Haneef. Sithara is a YouTube vlogger and runs a self-titled channel.
From left to right, Kalabhavan Haneef, Sithara Ismail, Sithara Ismail’s husband, Sharooqu Haneef and Wahidha Haneef
Career
Haneef started his professional journey as a mime artist and later excelled in theatre. Early in his career, he was associated with Kalabhavan, a performing arts educational center in Kochi. He began to gain recognition after touring with a troupe for a stage program and soon became one of the troupe leaders. He is famous for impersonating actors Nedumudi Venu and Raghavan. Later, he followed the practice of Kalabhavan alumni in which he put the name of the organization before his name. It was guitarist Dasetan Satish (brother-in-law of producer Preman) who introduced him to the Malayalam film industry. During the interview, Haneef shared that Satish, while in the Gulf, suggested that he try acting in films. After returning home, Haneef receives a call from Satish, who informs him that his brother-in-law is producing a film. Satish introduced Haneef to the film director Kala Adoor. After an audition, Haneef got the role of a police constable in a scene with popular actors Mukesh, Jagadish, and KPAC’s Lalita Chechi. This marked the beginning of Haneef’s film career, and he felt lucky to start with the famous star.
Movie (Malayalam)
In 1991, he made his film debut with the Malayalam film Cheppukilukkana Changathi in which he played the role of a police constable.
Malayalam movie poster Cheppukilukkana Changathi (1991)
After that, he appeared in various Malayalam films such as Sandesham (1991), Godfather (1991), Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji (1994), Chotta Mumbai (2006), Vinodayathra (2007), Drishyam (2013), and Amar Akbar Anthony (2014). ). .
Kalabhavan Haneef (left) as a hotel receptionist in the film Vinodayathra (2007)
He gained popularity for playing the role of a groom in the slapstick comedy drama film Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001).
Kalabhavan Haneef as the groom in the slapstick comedy drama film Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001)
Audiences also loved him as an unsuspecting groom in Thenkasipattanam (2000). In the film, there is a scene where Samyukta Menon’s character deliberately puts a hot steel glass in her hand and then she whines in a funny rhythm that prompts the girl’s father to ask if she is trained in classical music. In 2016, she played the role of Sasi/Soman in Rithwik Roshan’s Kattappanayile. Her exchange with Siddique in the film’s sequence became a popular meme template in Kerala. Some of his other notable works include the films, Pandippada (2005), Thuruppugulan (2006), and Ustad Hotel (2012).
Kalabhavan Haneef (right) in Thuruppugulan (2006)
In 2023, he played the role of a dam operator in the 2018 film: Everyone is a Hero. The Film Federation of India chose 2018 to represent India at the 96th Academy Awards for the Best International Feature Film category. His last film was Garudan (2023).
Malayalam movie poster Garudan (2023)
TV & OTT
In 2004, he starred in the Malayalam television soap opera Minnukettu. Other TV shows in which she appeared include Nadhaswaram, Comedyum Mimicsum Pinne Njanum, Abi’s Corner, Manassiloru Mazhavillu and Tilana Tilana. In 2021, he was featured in the Malayalam web series Instagraamam, streaming on NeeStream, where he played the role of a police officer.
Kalabhavan Haneef (right) in Malayalam web series Instagraamam (2021), with Ramesh Pisharody
Short film
In 2021, he appeared in the Malayalam short film Corona Villa. In 2022, she starred in the Malayalam short film Mundu, alongside her son Sharooqe Haneef.
Kalabhavan Haneef and Sharooqe Haneef featured on the poster of the Malayalam short film Mundu (2022)
Death
On 9 November 2023, Kalabhavan Haneef died in Kochi after suffering from a respiratory illness. Haneef’s body was kept at the Shadi Mahal hall in Kappalandi Mukku near Chullikkal for people to pay their last respects. The funeral was held at the Chembittapalli Juma Mosque in Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala.
Facts/Trivia
- He won an award in the Best Short Film Actor category at the 24th Global Film Awards 2020 2021 Cochin for the Malayalam short film Corona Villa (2021).
Kalabhavan Haneef received an award in the Best Short Film Actor category at the 24th Global Excellence Film Awards 2020 2021 Cochin for the Malayalam short film Corona Villa (2021)
- Prem Nazir and Sathyan are his favorite Malayalam actors.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
