Kalabhavan Mani funeral: Versatile actor cremated with state honours [VIDEOS]

Actor Kalabhavan Mani, who established his career as a successful actor in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu, is no more. His demise has shocked the entire South Indian industry with fans and celebrities jetting off to his hometown Chalakudy to get a glimpse of their favourite actor one last time.

Mani, who began as a mimicry artiste, had many ups and downs in his life, but became a notable actor with the Malayalam movie "Sallapam" in 1996. He soon became one of the most successful comedians and villains in the industry and was loved by the audience for his jovial nature. 

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Many celebrities and politicians have paid tribute to the late actor, who could shine as a comedian, villain and singer in the industry within a short span of time. Edavela Babu, Harishree Ashokan, Dileep, Dharmajan, Hibi Eden, Mukesh, Nadhirshah, and many others paid respect to his mortal remains soon after his death was confirmed at 7:15 Sunday, March 6.

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After the post-mortem examination, his mortal remains will be kept at Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi in Thrissur from 11:30 p.m. to 12 p.m for public to pay tribute. Later, his body will be kept at Chalakudy Municipality Office from 2:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. The funeral ceremony will take place at 5 p.m with full state honours.

Check out live updates on the funeral ceremony of Kalabhavan Mani here:

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Versatile actor Kalabhavan Mani has been cremated at 5:30 p.m. Monday with state honours.

5:10 p.m. - The cremation will begin soon. Mani is being accorded a Guard of Honour. Police officers are still finding it difficult to handle the crowd.

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4:30 p.m. - Actor Jayan Cherthala says: "He was not just a friend. He was just three months older than me and used to call me 'brother'. He always called my mother and sang her folk songs. He was very sincere with everyone."

4:15 p.m. - Mani's nephew (sister's son) Darshan will perform his last rights as per Hindu rituals. The actor's daughter Sree Lakshmy is a class 10 student.

3:50 p.m. - Kalabhavan Mani's body has been taken to the actor's residence Manikoodaram, and many local residents have arrived for a last glimpse of the actor.

3:15 p.m. - Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, KPAC Lalitha, Innocent, Jagadeesh, Suresh Kumar, Kamal, Vinayan, Jayaram and many others arrived to pay tribute to the versatile late actor. Many celebrities have been asked to shift further inside the building as they are unable to leave the hall due to the crowd outside.

3 p.m. - Due to heavy crowding, the power supply to the mobile mortuary is said to have been cut. Footballer IM Vijayan and Janardhanan pay homage to Mani. 

2:45 p.m. - Many locals have arrived at the munipical office and police officers in charge are finding it difficult to handle them. News channels report this is the first time they have witnessed such a huge crowd for a celebrity's funeral ceremony.

2:30 p.m. - Mani's mortal remains have been taken to Municipal Office in Chalakudy. Actor Captain Raju, Anoop Chandran, PP Jayarajan and many other celebrities and fans have arrived to pay homage to Mani. 

2 p.m. - Latest reports suggest the investigating officers, headed by DySP KS Sudharshan, have summoned five people, including actor Jaffer Idukki, manager Joji, Dr Suresh, and Mani's friends Vinod Kumar and Vipin for questioning. Some of them were said to be with Mani Saturday at his outhouse, where he was found unconscious.

1: 35 p.m. - Mani's body will soon be taken to Chalakudy Municipal Hall. 

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1:30 p.m. - Since Monday is Shivrathri, tradition reportedly dictates funerals start by 5 p.m. This will be the case with Mani as well.

1 p.m. - Mani's mortal remains are taken to Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi. Jayaram, Mukesh and KPAC Lalitha pay homage to Mani.

12:06 p.m: Kalabhavan Mani's outhouse has been sealed by the investigative officers as he was found unconscious there before being taken to hospital. The chemical analysis report on the traces of methyl content will be available within a week from a lab in Kakkanad.

12 p.m - Director Saji Surendran, who was at Chalakudy Town Hall, said: "He was a simple person. He has worked with me in 'Husbands in Goa'. I was shocked and couldn't reconcile with it."

11:30 a.m. - After post-mortem, Kalabhavan Mani's body has been taken to Thrissur Medical College out-patient department for the public to pay homage.

9 a.m. - Post-mortem examination starts.