The untimely demise of actor Kalabhavan Mani was a shock to the Malayalam film industry as well as the people of the state. More than an actor and a humanitarian, he was an actor who helped the needy. It’s been four years since the great actor left us. When Mani is a lasting memory for his colleagues and friends, his death is an irreparable loss for his personal ones.

The actor’s sister and brother are staying in the Kunnisseri House at Chennath near Chalakudy. His brother Ramakrishnan and sister Thankamani. This three-room house is the ‘tharavadu’ of the actor. The house the actor constructed after entering the film industry. Mani was not just a ‘chettan’ for his siblings, but their breadwinner also. The siblings said that ever since the death of their brother, their financial position has been in dire straits. They had helped many when Mani was alive and are now struggling to meet both ends.

His brother Ramakrishnan’s words

'I am trying hard to appear before people as Mani's brother. Our lives are not what is seen by the people outside. Nobody knows how we live after our brother’s death. We are here, our financial situation is very bad. Now let God decide. People have mistaken the double storied house next to our house and gone there. Finally, the inmates of the house locked the gate. The people are surprised to see our house and surroundings. They empathise seeing out pathetic condition.'

Full text of the interview with R L V Ramakrishnan can be read Flash Movies (March) edition.