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Malayalam mimicry artiste and actor Kalabhavan Abi was arguably the first artiste who got the title of being the "mimicry star."
This is how several of his colleagues from the Malayalam film industry remembered Abi, who passed away on Thursday morning. His sudden demise has caught the Malayalam film industry by shock.
Having come into the field of arts through mimicry, Abi soon found his way to mainstream cinema as well. However, despite acting in more than 50 films, Abi was one of the artistes who remained active in the mimicry field. Even days before his death, Abi had performed at a stage show in America.
As Abi's fans and colleagues mourn his untimely death, here are some of his performances spanning across decades:
Abi as Vinod “Kambili”
Abi adorns the role of Vinod "Kambili" (Kambili means woolen in Malayalam), the prominent Indian cricketer, who visits a doctor. From the moment Abi walks into the stage, everything about his attire to his gait and mannerisms are hilarious. When the doctor corrects him that it is not Kambili, but Kambli, Abi proceeds to explain how the name was modified to suit the "politics of the sports field." From addressing Sachin Tendulkar as "Tenduuu" to claiming that he is a pregnant man, the show is sure to crack you up!
Abi as Chandu
The famous dialogue by actor Mammootty in his film Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha was in a way Abi's forte. This is one of the many sequences Abi has performed several times over.
Crispy bites, the political comedy show
Telecast in DD, Abi anchored a political comedy show called 'Crispy bites' in 2010. In this show, Abi took out political developments and imitated a number of politicians.
Abi as the prodding to-be father-in-law
In this stage show, Abi shares the stage with actors Harishree Ashokan and Zainudeen. Abi plays the father of a woman, who is looking to get married. Dressed in a white mundu and munching on pan, Abi skillfully pulls off the role of a father, prodding to find out more about the prospective groom.