Malayalam Actor Keerikkadan Jose Dies

Malayalam film actor Mohanraj, known as Keerikkadan Jose after his iconic character in Kireedam, died today in Thiruvananthapuram. Actor and producer Dinesh Panicker announced the news through social media. Mohanraj died at his home in Kanjiramkulam, Thiruvananthapuram.

He made his silver screen debut with the film Moonnamura, directed by K. Madhu. He rose to fame with his role as Keerikkadan Jose in the film Kireedam, starring Mohanlal, which changed the landscape of villain roles in Malayalam cinema. Besides Kireedam, he portrayed many notable characters in films like Chenkol, Narasimham, and Hello.

The actor made his way to the silver screens in the 1988 Moonam Mura. Since then, the actor has featured in several Malayalam films. Post 2008, he only did two films.

Essaying the role of Vishwanathan, Mohanraj was last seen in the 2022 film Rorschach starring Mammootty.

Reacting to the actor’s death, Mohanlal posted on Facebook, “To be called and known by the name of the character is a privilege only for the artist who has earned the great blessing of acting. Dear Mohanraj, who played the immortal character of Keerikkadan Jose in Kireedam, left us. I remember the greatness of him standing in front of the camera with his head held high as an opponent of Sethu like yesterday. Goodbye with tears to my dear friend who preserved goodness and gentleness in his personal life.”

Malayalam legend Mammootty also took to Facebook to express his condolences to the late actor.

Apart from Malayalam cinema, Mohanraj also acted in nine Tamil films and 31 Telugu films.

Mohanraj is survived by his wife Usha, and their two daughters: Jaishma and Kaaviya.