Mammootty was heartbroken after receiving that call, says Shafi

Kochi: Cochin Haneefa is regarded as one of the finest actors in Malayalam cinema, known for both his villainous roles and comedic performances. He passed away 14 years ago in 2010, yet fans and colleagues continue to share their fond memories of this versatile actor, who made great contributions to the industry.

Director Shafi spoke about Haneefa’s impact during a recent interview with a TV Channel. Haneefa performed memorable roles in Shafi’s films such as Pulival Kalyanam and Mayavi. Shafi revealed that he had hoped to cast Haneefa in his film Chattambinadu, but health issues prevented the actor from participating.

Recalling a particular incident, Shafi described a day when Mammootty was shooting an outdoor fight sequence. During the shoot, Mammootty received a phone call that left him visibly shaken. “The shot was ready, but Mammootty was speaking very seriously on the phone, his face showing deep concern,” Shafi noted.

After the call, Mammootty abruptly ended the conversation and expressed his distress. When asked what was wrong, he hesitated before revealing the news about Haneefa's health. “Priyan sir’s wife, Lissy, had called to inform that the doctor said Haneefa had only a month to live. Tragically, Haneefa passed away about three to four months later,” Shafi shared.

Cochin Haneefa’s contributions to Malayalam cinema, both as a villain and a comedic actor, have left a lasting legacy, and his passing is a great loss to the film community. (With inputs from Agencies)