Kalabhavan Haneef Wiki, Age, Death, Wife, Family, Biography & More

Kalabhavan Haneef (1959 or 1960–2023) was an Indian actor and noted mimicry artist in the Malayalam entertainment industry. Known for his comic roles, he starred in over 150 Malayalam films over a period of three decades, starting from 1991. He was a part of the Malayalam ‘2018: Everyone is a Hero (2023), which the Film Federation of India chose as India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.

Wiki/Biography

Kalabhavan Muhammad Haneef ^[1]India Today Malayalam was born in 1959 or 1960 (age 63 years; at the time of death) in Mattancherry, Kerala, India. From a young age, he had a keen interest in mimicry and used to do mimicry 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, which were published during that period and bring them home. Haneef grew up reading these magazines and dreamed of becoming an actor. His association with Kalabhavan began through his neighbour Zainuddin, an actor and mime artist.

Physical Appearance

Height (approx.): 5′ 10″

Hair Colour: Black

Eye Colour: Black

Family

Parents & Siblings

His father, Hamza,  ran a stationery shop in Mattancherry. His mother’s name is Zubaidah. Haneef was the eldest of five siblings.

Wife & Children

On 12 October 1990, he got married to 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.

Career

Haneef started his professional journey as a mimicry artist and later excelled in theatre. At the beginning of his career, he became associated with Kalabhavan, a centre for performing arts education in Kochi. He started to gain recognition after touring with the troupe for stage programs and soon became one of the leads of the troupe. He was particularly known for imitating actors Nedumudi Venu and Raghavan. Later, he followed the practice of Kalabhavan alumni he affixed the organization’s name before his name. It was Dasetan’s guitarist Satish (brother-in-law of producer Preman) who introduced him to the Malayalam film industry. During an interview, Haneef shared that Satish, while in the Gulf, suggested he try acting in films. After returning, Haneef received a call from Satish, who informed him that his brother-in-law was producing a film. Satish introduced Haneef to film director Kala Adoor. Upon auditioning, Haneef landed the role of a police constable in a scene with popular actors Mukesh, Jagadish, and KPAC Lalita Chechi. This marked the beginning of Haneef’s film career, and he felt fortunate to start with such renowned stars.

Film (Malayalam)

In 1991, he made his film debut with the Malayalam film Cheppukilukkana Changathi in which he played the role of a police constable.

Thereafter, he appeared in various Malayalam films like Sandesham (1991), Godfather (1991), Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji (1994), Chotta Mumbai (2006), Vinodayathra (2007), Drishyam (2013), and Amar Akbar Anthony (2014).

He gained popularity for playing the role of a groom in the slapstick comedy-drama film Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001).

The audience also loved him as the unsuspecting groom in Thenkasipattanam (2000). In the film, there is a scene where Samyukta Menon’s character deliberately places a hot steel glass on his hands following which he whines in a funny rhythm that prompts the girl’s father to ask if he is trained in classical music. In 2016, he played the role of Sasi/Soman in Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan. His exchange with Siddique in a sequence of the film became a popular meme template in Kerala. Some of his other notable works include the films, Pandippada (2005), Thuruppugulan (2006), and Ustad Hotel (2012).

In 2023, he played the role of a dam operator in the film 2018: Everyone is a Hero. The Film Federation of India picked 2018 to represent India at the 96th Academy Awards for the Best International Feature Film category. His last film was Garudan (2023).

TV & OTT

In 2004, he starred in the Malayalam television soap opera Minnukettu. Other TV shows in which he appeared include Nadhaswaram, Comedyum Mimicsum Pinne Njanum, Abi’s Corner, Manassiloru Mazhavillu, and Tilana Tilana. In 2015, he appeared on the Malayalam TV show Snehaveedu.

In 2021, he was featured in the Malayalam web series Instagraamam, streaming on NeeStream, in which he played the role of a police officer.

Short Film

In 2021, he appeared in the Malayalam short film Corona Villa. In 2022, he starred in the Malayalam short film Mundu, along with hi son Sharooqe Haneef.

Death

On 9 November 2023, Kalabhavan Haneef passed away in a private hospital in Kochi after suffering from a respiratory disease. ^[2]Hindustan Times The mortal remains of Haneef were kept at Shadi Mahal hall at Kappalandi Mukku near Chullikkal for the public to pay their last respects. The funeral was held at the Chembittapalli Juma Masjid in Mattancherry, Kochi, Kerala. ^[3]The Times of India

Facts/Trivia

• He won an award in the category Best Short Film Actor at the 24th Global Excellency Films Award 2020 2021 Cochin for the Malayalam short film Corona Villa (2021).
  

  Kalabhavan Haneef receiving an award in the category Best Short Film Actor at the 24th Global Excellency Films Award 2020 2021 Cochin for the Malayalam short film Corona Villa (2021)

• Prem Nazir and Sathyan were his favourite Malayalam actors.