Remembering Director Shafi: The Malayali Characters That Stole Our Hearts

MUMBAI, INDIA - Renowned director Shafi, who passed away after a prolonged battle with cancer, is best known for delivering a handful of super hit family entertainers that continue to be fondly remembered by Malayalis. His movies 'Kalyanaraman', 'Chattambinaadu', 'Pulival Kalyanam' and 'Two Countries' have left an indelible mark on the Malayalam film industry, with characters from these films finding a bigger space in people's hearts.

In celebration of Shafi's legacy, we take a look at some of the most iconic characters that gained prominence among Malayali film enthusiasts.

Dasamoolam Damu: The Undying Cult Icon Suraj Venjaramoodu's portrayal of Dasamoolam Damu in 'Chattambinaadu' may have started as a minor character, but it has become an integral part of popular culture. His character was catapulted into meme territory and eventually received its own film. Despite initial plans to make a feature-length film on the character himself, director Ratheesh Pothuval ultimately chose to focus on 'Nnna Thaan Case Kodu'.

Manavalan: Enduring Hilarity A standout performance by Salim Kumar as Manavalan in 'Pulival Kalyanam' can still be witnessed today. The scene of Manavalan puffing away with Harikrishnan and Theepori Kuttappan at the latter's office continues to entertain and has become a permanent fixture on internet forums.

Ponjikkara Kesavan: Innocent Genius Shafi's collaboration with actor Innocent resulted in the endearing character Ponjikkara Kesavan in 'Kalyanaraman'. That hilarious first scene of the wedding feast, where Kesavan proudly offers rice to his guests, showcased the film's signature style.

These iconic characters will forever be etched into our collective memory as testaments to director Shafi's ability to craft laughter that transcends generations. Despite their passing, 'Dasamoolam Damu,' 'Manavalan' and 'Ponjikkara Kesavan' continue to leave audiences in awe of the unforgettable talent of Director Shafi.