Kalabhavan Abi, popular Malayalam comedy artist passes away

Kalabhavan Abi, who is well known for his coming timing and his portrayal of 'Amina Thatha' in several movies, passed away on Thursday morning.

Abi passed away in Amrita hospital in Kochi. According to reports, was receiving treatment for dengue. Reports state that the drastic fall in platelets was the reason for his death. According to reports, Abi had recently returned from a stage show in America.

Amrita hospital PRO told TNM that Abi was brought to the hospital at around 10 20 am. 

'He was brought dead to the hospital at 10.20. The death happened 45 mins before that. He was battling cancer and had been under treatment of Dr Pavitran for the last five to six months," the PRO said. 

49-year-old Abi has acted in more than 50 Malayalam movies including Mazhavil Koodaram, Kireedamillatha Rajakkanmar, Mimics Action 500, Aniyathipravu and Resikan. 

A mimicry artist, Abi and his contemporaries like actor Dileep had become popular in Malayalam cinema in the 90s. He started his mimicry career with Kalabhavan in Kochi.

In the beginning, he used to imitate popular actors in Kerala. At that time, mimicry casettes were all the craze in Kerala, and a young team of mimicry astistes like Dileep, Nadirshah, Harishri Ashokan and Abi became popular quickly. Abi, who was a superstar in the world of mimicry, entered Malayalam cinema as a comedy actor in a Mammooty starrer, Nayam Vyakthamakunnum in 1991.

Abi has released more than 300 audio and video casettes of mimicry, of which De Maveli and Onathinidakku Pootu Kachavadam were the biggest hits.

Abi was also well known for mimicking Amitabh Bachchan.

Speaking to Asianet News, Kalabhavan Nawas, Abi's colleaague said that he was under shock hearing Abi's death. Remembering Abi, actor Jagadish said that Abi was an artist who fearlessly ventured into new and challenging paths. His contribubtion to the field of mimicry and cinema, will be missed, Jagadish said. 

Condoling Abi's death, artist Ramesh Pisharody referred to him as possibily "the first star of mimicry," saying that Abi had been a crowd puller. 

"If Abi's name is there in the list, it was sure to generate a huge crowd," he said. 

Abi's son Shane Nigam made his debut as a solo hero through the 2016 film 'Kismath', directed by Shanavas K Bavakutty and is currently in Chennai.