Kalabhavan Haneef (1959 or 1960-2023) was an Indian actor and a well-known impersonation artist in the Malayalam entertainment industry. Best known for his comedy roles, he starred in more than 150 Malayalam films over three decades starting in 1991. He was part of Malayalam’s “2018: Everybody’s a Hero” (2023), which was selected by the Film Federation of India as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film award at the 96th Academy Awards.
Wiki/Biography
Kalabhavan Muhammad Haneef was born in Mattancherry, Kerala, India, in 1959 or 1960 (age 63 at the time of death). He had a keen interest in imitation since he was a child and often imitated when he was a student. He got hooked on acting at a very young age by watching Malayalam movies. During Hanif’s childhood, his two uncles had a keen interest in cinema and watched every Malayalam film. They would buy film-related magazines such as “Chitra Rama”, “Cinema” and “Cinema Masika” published at that time and take them home. Hanif grew up reading these magazines and dreamed of becoming an actor. His association with Kalabavan began with his neighbor Zainuddin, an actor and mime artist.
Old photos of Kalabavan Hanif
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′10″
Hair color: black
Eye color: black
family
Parents and siblings
His father Hamza ran a stationery shop in Matancherry. His mother’s name was Zubaida. Hanif is the eldest son among five siblings.
Kalabavan Hanif and his mother
wife and children
On October 12, 1990, he married Wahidha Haneef. They have two children: daughter Sithara Ismail and son Sharooqu Haneef. Sithara is a YouTube vlogger and runs a channel of the same name.
From left to right: Kalabhavan Haneef, Sithara Ismail, Sithara Ismail’s husband Sharooqu Haneef and Wahidha Haneef
Profession
Hanif began his career as a mimicry artist and later excelled in theatre. Early in his career, he was associated with Kalabhavan, a performing arts education center in Kochi. He began to gain recognition after touring stage shows with the troupe and soon became one of its leaders. He is famous for his impersonations of actors Nedumudi Venu and Raghavan. Later, he followed the example of Kalabawan alumni and added the name of the organization before his own name. Dasethan’s guitarist Satish (brother-in-law of producer Preman) introduced him to the Malayalam film industry. Hanif said in an interview that Satish suggested that he try making films while he was in the Gulf. After returning, Hanif received a call from Satish, who told him that his brother-in-law was producing a film. Satish introduced Hanif to film director Kara Adore. After auditioning, Hanif played the role of a police officer in a scene with popular actors Mukesh, Jagadish and KPAC’s Lalita Chechi. This marked the beginning of Hanif’s film career, and he feels lucky to have started it with such a well-known star.
Movies (Malayalam)
In 1991, he made his acting debut in the Malayalam film Cheppukilukkana Changathi, in which he played a police officer.
Poster of Malayalam film Cheppukilukkana Changathi (1991)
Thereafter, he appeared in several Malayalam films such as Sandesham (1991), The Godfather (1991), Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji (1994), Chotta Mumbai (2006), Vinodayathra” (2007), “Drishyam” (2013) and “Amar Akbar Anthony” (2014).
Kalabhavan Haneef (left) plays a hotel receptionist in the film Vinodayathra (2007)
He is popular for his role as a groom in the slapstick film Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001).
Kalabhavan Haneef plays the groom in the slapstick comedy film Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001)
Audiences also loved his role as the unsuspecting groom in Thenkasipattanam (2000). There is a scene in the film where Samyukta Menon’s character deliberately places a hot steel cup on his hand and then purrs in a funny rhythm, prompting the girl’s His father asked him if he had any classical training. In 2016, he played the role of Sasi/Soman in “Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan”. His exchange with Siddiq in 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).
Kalabhavan Haneef (right) in “Thuruppugulan” (2006)
In 2023, he played a dam operator in the movie “2018: Everyone is a Hero”. The Film Federation of India has chosen to represent India in the 96th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film in 2018. His last film was Garudan (2023).
Malayalam movie Garudan (2023) poster
TV and Internet TV
In 2004, he starred in the Malayalam television soap opera Minnukettu. His other television shows include “Nadhaswaram”, “Comedyum Mimicsum Pinne Njanum”, “Abi’s Corner”, “Manassiloru Mazhavillu” and “Tilana Tilana”. In 2015, he appeared in the Malayalam television show Snehaveedu.
Kalabhavan Haneef in the TV show Snehaveedu (2015)
In 2021, he appeared in the Malayalam web series Instagram, which aired on NeeStream, in which he played a police officer.
Kalabhavan Haneef (right) with Ramesh Pisharody in Malayalam web series Instagraamam (2021)
short film
In 2021, he starred in the Malayalam short film “Corona Villa”. In 2022, he starred in the Malayalam short film Mundu along with his son Sharooqe Haneef.
Kalabhavan Haneef and Sharooqe Haneef appear on the poster of Malayalam short film Mundu (2022)
die
Kalabhavan Haneef died on November 9, 2023, in a private hospital in Kochi due to respiratory illness. Hanif’s body was kept at the Shadi Mahal Hall in Kappalandi Mukku near Chullikkal for the public to pay their last respects. The funeral was held at the Chembettapalli Juma Mosque in Mattancherry, Kochi district, Kerala.
Facts/Trivia
- He won the Best Actor in a Short Film Award at the 24th Global Excellence Film Awards 2020 in Kochi for the Malayalam short film Corona Villa (2021).
Kalabhavan Haneef won the Best Actor in a Short Film Award at the 24th Global Film Awards 2020 for the Malayalam short film Corona Villa (2021) in Cochin
- Prem Nazir and Sathyan are his favorite Malayalam actors.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education