KOCHI: Malayalam’s talented actor Kalabhavan Mani, 45, died at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences here on Sunday under mysterious circumstances. Cheranellore police late night registered a case of unnatural death.
Hospital officials said the death happened due to complications in the functioning of liver and kidney but declined to give further details. Sources said the hospital authorities had informed the Cheranellore police station about the presence of poison (methanol) in the blood.
Top police sources confirmed to DC the presence of toxic methanol. Methanol is the simplest alcohol. It is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odor very similar to that of ethanol (drinking alcohol).
However, unlike ethanol, methanol is highly toxic and unfit for consumption.
However, the SHO said the nature of the poisonous substance could be ascertained only after detailed forensic examination.
The actor, who used to ply an auto rickshaw for a living in his salad days, used to revel in mimicry programmes at night, satisfying his need for sustenance in both arts and living.
Soon after the news of the death, a police team from Chalakkudy reached Mani’s house at Chenathunadu and spoke to his close relatives over the report of possible poison content in his blood. Mr T S Raneesh, sub-inspector of police, however, declined to make any comments, saying he needed to take statements from family members and close relatives before making any official comments.
Police said the actor was admitted to the private hospital in Kochi after he vomited blood. Mani was hospitalized at 4.15 pm on Saturday and was shifted to ventilator by Sunday afternoon after his condition worsened. The family was tight-lipped.
Autopsy will be done at Thrissur Government Medical College on Monday.
The body would be placed for public homage at his native Chalakkudy on later in the day, said hospital officials.
Friends of Mr. Mani in Chalakkudy said he was undergoing treatment for liver-related illness for the past six months. Mani was born as the seventh child of Kunnassery Raman and Ammini of Chenathunadu village of Chalakkudy.
Aksharam was Mani’s first film. Though he had created ripples as a comedian, soon Mani became character actor.
