Cochin Haneefa Died of Liver Cancer in Chennai

Veteran Malayalam actor and director “Cochin” Haneefa died of a liver ailment at a private hospital in Chennai today, family sources said. He was 59 and is survived by his wife and two children.

Mostly cast in the role of villain in the initial stages of his career, he later excelled in comedy. He had acted in over 300 films since his debut film “Mamangam” in 1979. He had also acted in several Tamil films.
Salim Ahmed in real life, Haneefa started his acting career through the stage troupe Kochin Kalabhavan. Some films directed by him like ‘Valsalyam’ were box office hits and won critical acclaim.

Haneefa took easily to comedy roles and his performances were received enthusiastically by film buffs. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi expressed shock at the death of Hanifa and offered condolences to his family. “He has acted in many films, including Pasa Paravaigal for which I had penned the dialogue and he used to be very polite and respectful whenever we interacted,” Karunanidhi recalled.

Haneefa had acted in scores of Tamil movies with the Kamal Hassan-starrer ‘Mahanadi’ giving him a major break. He had essayed a role in the 2007 Rajnikanth-starrer, Sivaji—The Boss. He also was a regular in Tamil star Ajith’s films.

Haneefa is the third major Malayalam star who has passed away in recent months after Murali and Rajan P Dev. “He was a great human being, a gifted actor and good director,” veteran actress Kaviyur Ponnamma said. “As a comedian, Haneefa stood out on account of his ease and originality,” freelance film historian Balagopalan said.

Haneefa had essayed memorable roles in many Malayalam movies, including ‘Kireedam’, ‘Vatsalyam’, ‘Devasuram’, ’Mannar Mathai Speaking’ ‘Swapnakkodu’ and ‘Punjabi House’. He had also directed around 20 films, including the hit Mammotty starrer ‘Vatsalyam’ and ‘Moonu Masangalkku Munbu’. His last Tamil movie was ‘Vettaikkaran’
Haneefa had acted with almost all Malayalam heroes from the late Prem Nazir to Jayasurya and Prithviraj. In 2001 he won the State Award for ‘Best Actor’ in ’Soothradharan’ and ‘Best Supporting Actor’ award in 1999.(Courtesy Asianet India)

Tahir Hussain Father of Aamir Khan Passed Away

Tahir Hussain, well-known filmmaker and Bollywood star Aamir Khan’s father, died of a massive heart attack here Tuesday morning, sources close to the family said.

He is survived by his wife and two sons, Aamir and Faisal, and two daughters, Farhat and Nikhat.

Hussain is known for producing hits like ‘Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke’ (1993) that starred son Aamir, ‘Dulha Bikta Hai’ (1982), ‘Zakhmee’ (1975), ‘Anamika’ (1973) and ‘Caravan’ (1971).

In 1990, he made his directorial debut with ‘Tum Mere Ho’ with Aamir and Juhi Chawla.

Family sources said Hussain died at Aamir’s residence in Bandra. Aamir and his wife Kiran are in the US for the Sundance Festival and are taking the first flight home. Hussain’s grandson, Imran Khan, who made his debut with ‘Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na’, is in New Zealand and will also be coming back.

Malayalam Actor Cochin Haneefa Fighting For Life in a Private Hospital in Chennai - Condition Critical

Chennai, Tuesday, February 02, 2010: Popular Malayalam actor Cochin Haneefa is reported to be in a serious condition at a private hospital in Chennai. He was admitted to Ramachandra Hospital Chennai due to liver problem a few days back and the accurate news is that he is suffering from LIVER CANCER (Usually associated with excessive alcohol intake and smoking).

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND : TV channels created a flutter when they aired incorrect information about the death of popular Malayalam film star Cochin Haneefa.The TV channels said Haneefa, aged 58 years, died at a private hospital in Chennai Tuesday at noon.Soon condolences from Haneefa’s colleagues started pouring in.

The TV channels also started running clips of the popular films Haneefa acted in.But at 1 p.m. the channels said they regretted airing the news which they received from their sources in the hospital at Chennai where Haneefa is admitted.According to the channels, the latest news is that Haneefa is “very serious”.

ACTOR PROFILE : Born as Salim Ahmed Ghoush he adopted his stage name Cochin Haneefa in films. He was a comic member of the famed ‘Cochin Kalabhavan Troupe’. He made his film debut in 1979 in a small role in ‘Ashtavakran’ and since then rose to become a very popular actor. He kept his name Haneefa in light of a character he played in a drama

He has more than 300 films to his credit, which includes Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films. He was also very much into other area of film making which included direction and screenplay writing. As a filmmaker he is known for the melodrama Valtsalyam (1993).

Shiv Sena claims not to screen any SRK movie till he says i am sorry to the Sena - Crazy Stuff isn't it...

Well whatever may that be,i couldn't control my laugh from the day i have come to know that Shiv Sena has interest in movies also especially in Shahrukh Khan films.What do they want at last,that god alone knows.I am for sure SRK should not give up and should not bow his head to some stupid sena run by a local thief who stays in Bandra West.Mumbai belongs to India,and Marathas are the pride of our Nation, do not separate, classify, divide, our commercial capital from this country.

Well you guys read the story now, i am sure nothing can be done about India and its nasty politics,all blame the system, and i blame the people.Jaagore India - Jaagore Youth to save our country,we do not deserve to be ruled by someone who is sitting with his leg hanging into cuffin,we can't have a prime minister who is 60 and president who is 70, we need young blood to rule this country.Shutdown all political parties and start again for the betterment of the Tiranga's Pride and not some stupid lady from Italy controlling a country.I know these are controversial remarks but truth is always "KHATTAA" - Vote - But Vote unless and until your friend or a person whom you can trust is the candidate.

The Shiv Sena on Tuesday issued a direct threat to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan warning him to apologise for backing Pakistani cricketers and his 'Mumbai belongs to all' remarks.

Senior Shiv Sena leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi warned that none of Shah Rukh Khan's movies will be allowed to be released in Mumbai if he failed to apologise for his comments.

"Whether it's Shah Rukh or anyone else, the Shiv Sena says he must take back his comments, so he'll have to do it. It's better if he understands this well. Shah Rukh Khan will have to apologise or else we will not let his film release in Mumbai," said Joshi.

Earlier, Shah Rukh told CNN-IBN in New York that he won't bow down to the Sena's threats and did not regret any of his comments whether it was on Pakistani cricketers in Indian Premier League or Mumbai belonging to all Indians.

The actor said he was proud to be an Indian and had done no wrong for which he should tender an apology.

Shah Rukh, who owns IPL team Kolkata Knight Rider, had said that the IPL snub to Pakistani cricketer was not right and the entire matter could have been handelled more tactfully.

He also flayed the Sena for its anti-North Indian stand saying that an Indian has the right to settle and work in any part of the country.

SHAHRUKH KHAN REPLY TO THIS WHOLE EPISODE A BRAVE ONE : Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan refused to cow down to Shiv Sena threats to disrupt his film My Name is Khan over his support for Pakistani players in IPL. Speaking exclusively to CNN-IBN in New York, SRK said that he was a proud Indian and did nothing wrong in coming out in support of Pakistani cricketers.