Director Vinayan shares his memories with late actor Kalabhavan Mani. He shared these things through his Facebook page.
He said that Mani was a person who cried very quickly and was happy even for small things, and that the actor firmly believed that he would get the National Award for Best Actor for the film Vasanthi, Lakshmi and Nyaman, but later he was devastated to learn that he did not get the award.
‘I have started the work of capturing the memories of this journey of life. Some time is reserved for those writings during the breaks of script writing for the new film. I also want to share some lines from it on fb.
The truth is that while writing about Kalabhavan Mani, my eyes filled up today. He was quick to burst into tears when talking about the hardships and poverty he experienced in his youth. Mani was an innocent artist who was quick to laugh at small joys.
What was the real reason why he lost consciousness when he came to know that he only got a Special Jury Award at the National Award announcement in 2000?
Some took it as a joke. Some made fun of Mani. It is true that when a small film called ‘Vasanti and Lakshmi and Me’ ran as a superhit in Kerala, people who loved Mani said that he would get an award. But don’t think that any of our films will be considered for awards. I used to always jokingly tell Mani that we are not of genus.
And I also said that it would be lucky if there was someone in that committee to make something happen. I have had such interesting experiences in Mani’s own Karumadikutan and Pakru’s wonderland. I have not gone to mourn and be upset about it. Because we are not a member of the genus?
At the time of the 2000 National Award, I heard that firecrackers and food preparations were going on in Chalakudy, but I told Mani insistently over the phone that there should be no such thing before the final announcement. I couldn’t say anything else to Mani who said with excitement and happiness that it’s true Sir, Sir, laugh.
But Mani didn’t get the award as per my mind. Special Jury Award like Consolation Award. The film also won the National Award for Best Singer.
After the announcement of the award, I was shocked when I saw that Mani cried a hundred times more in pain than how much he laughed with joy the day before. You can read Mani’s words hugging me and the actual picture of that incident later in my memoirs,’ Vinayan noted.
Content Highlight: Director Vinayan remembering Kalabavan Mani