Till one month ago, the news of Malayalam actor Kalabhavan Mani’s death was on the lips of every Keralite. But that news, like it happens with all other news reports, has died down. But is the mystery surrounding Kalabhavan Mani's death, something to be brushed aside that easily? Kalabhavan Mani’s brother RLV Ramakrishnan talks to Onmanorama about the psychological trauma and the threats faced by the family.
Do you feel that Mani’s demise has ceased to make news, swamped by the election brouhaha?
Certainly. The investigation is going slow, probably thanks to the elections. Inaction from the side of the police in finding the real culprits is alarming. We do not have any further details about the investigation. Nor do we have the authority to go and ask the police, do we? We are keeping quiet only because it is election time. What is the point in acting impulsively?
Are you getting any help from the politicians or the film fraternity?
They all offered to stay by our side and put the investigation on the fast track mode. However, there has been no action to back up the kind words. The situation is such that there is nobody to stand by us or help us in reality.
How are the wife and daughter coping to the situation?
They are still shattered. After all, their loss and pain can never be bridged. How can they be at peace when Mani chettan’s killers are walking scot-free before their very eyes?
What is your take on the reports that Mani’s father-in-law had a hand in the murder?
There is no truth in such rumours that are being propagated by the very people who are responsible for the murder. These informations are not emanating from the police circles.
Did Kalabhavan Mani have enemies, who hated the actor enough to kill him?
I suspect those who hung around him. The root cause here is monetary. Chettan had plans to buy some land near Pady. Towards this purpose, he was in the process of asking back money from the people to whom he had lent it. He was killed by the people who resisted it. Friends finished off Kalabhavan Mani when he started asking back for his money.
I do not believe that he was killed all of a sudden. They were killing him inch by inch. It is likely to be a murder committed after two or three months of planning. They must have used some kind of slow poisoning that kills gradually by deteriorating the health. Debtors owe chettan crores of rupees. We still receive anonymous calls over it. Mani chettan never shared details of financial transactions with his family. These are the friends who alienated him from even his family.
Do you believe that Murukan is the murderer?
Murukan was brought by another friend. Murukan is a newfound friend. Nothing will happen without their knowledge. Therefore, it was a planned murder by these people in the know of things.
Did the slimming down of film roles psychologically wreck Mani?
He was not lacking in film roles. Often, these sidekick people denied the directors the opportunity to talk to chettan. They nullified the chances to meet up with them. Many big ticket directors had called me, not being able to get chettan on the phone. They had been shunned saying he was busy, was in programs, etc.
He was being mentally and physically destroyed. He sensed it at some point. Chettan sincerely wanted to escape this trip. He had even asked those around him to look out for other options and move out.
It is also rumoured that he took his own life?
Mani chettan could never have committed suicide. He was a man of tremendous desires and hopes. I believe one hundred per cent that he was murdered.
Are there threats to the family?
Not directly. But the voice of threat has been sounded through policemen. Many people are of the opinion as to what is there to investigate in the case of Mani, who drank himself to death. Many attempts have been made to influence the police and change the course of the case. Our enquiries to the police about the investigation have been met with indifference. People who do not want the truth about the murder to come out are behind this. Pressure from political circles is also being exerted. Otherwise why should it take so long to identify the killer of someone like Kalabhavan Mani?
Have you decided to go ahead with the investigation?
Yes. We cannot just discard it, can we? We will fight for it till our very end.