Director Vinayan remembers actor Kalabhavan Mani on his ninth death anniversary. Vinayan wrote on Facebook that Kalabhavan Mani was a unique artist who made a special place in the hearts of Malayalis with his effortless acting style, his captivating folk song melodies, and above all, as a humanist who never forgot his roots. Vinayan said that the long journey of his film career with Mani and Mani's untimely death touched his personal life as well.

"I have often had to fight within Malayalam cinema itself to oppose some of the discrimination against Mani." Vinayan also pointed out in his post that he had also witnessed a phase where Kalabhavan Mani avoided coming in front of him. This was due to the pressure Mani felt from powerful forces within the industry.

During that time, I had gone to light a lamp for the puja of a film titled "Gunda" starring Mani, on the insistence of its director Salim Bava and Mani. Vinayan alleged that some directors who are still working as FEFKA members did not agree to make that film just because I lit the lamp. They insisted that the film be shot only if the name of the film was changed and the lamp was lit by the person they suggested. Having no other choice, the producers changed the name of the film to "Pramukhan," performed the puja with director B. Unnikrishnan, and started shooting.

Vinayan pointed out the irony that the Left government, despite Kalabhavan Mani's grassroots rise and his open support for the Left, has been unable to complete his memorial.