Actor Mohanraj, best known for his iconic role as Keerikkadan Jose, passed away on Thursday. Tributes poured in from the film industry, with Mohanlal paying homage through a heartfelt post on his Facebook page. 

In his message, he wrote, "Being known and recognized by the name of a character is a great blessing that only a truly accomplished artist attains. Beloved Mohanraj, who immortalized the character of Keerikkadan Jose in 'Kireedam', has left us. I vividly remember his grandeur as he stood tall in front of the camera, portraying Sethu's formidable opponent. His nobility on-screen remains fresh in my mind, as if it were just yesterday. To my dear friend, who cherished kindness and humility in his personal life, I bid a tearful farewell."

Mammootty also offered his condolences, posting a simple tribute captioned, "Condolence Mohanraj."

Mohanraj, widely recognized for his villainous roles, appeared in around 300 films throughout his career. He had been battling Parkinson's disease and had relocated to Thiruvananthapuram a year ago from Chennai for Ayurvedic treatment.

The actor made his debut in 1988 with 'Moonam Mura' and was a regular presence in Malayalam cinema until 2008, after which he appeared in only two films. His last role was in Mammootty’s 'Rorschach' (2022), where he portrayed the character Viswanathan. 

In addition to his work in Malayalam cinema, Mohanraj acted in nine Tamil films and 31 Telugu films. His funeral will take place on Friday. He is survived by his wife Usha and daughters, Jaishma and Kaaviya.