People can pass on, but art has no expiry date.

Very few people can lay claim to being honored and remembered for their work, long after they are gone. This includes actors.

The Kollywood industry has a few such fine actors, whose roles and personalities continue to be talked about, despite them being no more.

Below are four such late actors, who knocked the ball out of the park in whatever roles they were given:

1) Manivannan

S. Manivannan Rajagopal, or more commonly known by his mononym Manivannan, was a Tamil actor cum director, who has helmed exactly 50 films since his debut Gopurangal Saivathillai in 1982. He was more well known for his acting prowess - be it as a scheming villain, a wisecracking comedian, or a loving father.

He died on June 15, 2013, from a cardiac arrest, aged 59.

Notable films: Kadhal Kottai, Amaidhi Padai, Avvai Shanmugi, Sangamam, Mudhalvan.



2) Raghuvaran

Yet another tremendously talented actor, Raghuvaran Velayutham was best known for his tall stature and unique voice modulation, especially when portraying villain roles. He debuted in the Malayalam movie Kakka in 1982 and went on to star in more than 200 Tamil films, as well as other Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi films. He married actress Rohini in 1996, before the couple separated in 2004. Aside from playing the ultimate bad guy in most yesteryear movies, Raghuvaran could also essay more serious roles, such as the doting father of the autistic child in director Mani Ratnam's 1990 film Anjali.

Raghuvaran died on 19 March 2008, due to reported organ failure caused by excessive alcohol consumption. He was only 49.

Notable films: Mr. Bharath, Poovizhi Vasalile, En Bommukutty Ammavukku, Siva, Anjali, Kadhalan, Baashha, Muthu, Ratchagan, Mudhalvan.



3) Cochin Haneefa

Muhammed Haneefa, who was more commonly known by his stage name Cochin Haneefa, was aa famous Indian actor, director, and screenwriter. He started his career in the early 1970s playing villainous roles, but went on to become one of the most popular comedians, especially in the Malayalam movie industry.

Like Manivannan, Haneefa was also able to play villainous characters equally well to comedic characters, as well as supporting dramatic roles.

Haneefa died on February 2, 2010, aged 58, at a Chennai hospital, due to multiple organ failure. He had been treated for liver cancer.

Notable films: Mahanadi, Kaathala Kaathala, Mudhalvan, Citizen, Lesa Lesa, Sivaji: The Boss, Endhiran.



4) Vivek

Vivekanandan, known professionally as Vivek, was an Indian actor, comedian, TV personality, and social activist who worked in the Tami movie industry. The multiple award-winning actor, who was awarded the Padmashri honor in 2009, is well known for one-liners and word plays that featured social and political satire. Vivek, who debuted in Manathil Uruthi Vendum (1987) and went on to act in more than 200 films, even earned the nickname 'Chinna Kalaivanar', after the late comedian N.S. Krishnan, who featured a similar type of message-laden comedy.

Aside from him film roles, Vivek also in 2010 launched "Green Kalam" - a project to plant a billion trees across India inspired by former Indian president A.P.J Abdul Kalam. He mobilized volunteers, mainly from schools and colleges, to join the initiative, via Twitter. As of the time of his death, over 3.3 million saplings had been planted.

On 16 April 2021, Vivek was rushed to a hospital in Chennai after experiencing breathlessness and chest pain. He died the following day, due to congestive heart failure, aged 59. He was given a state funeral.

Notable films: Kadhal Mannan, Vaali, Minnale, Middle Class Madhavan, Manathai Thirudivittai, Youth, Lesa Lesa, Anniyan, Sivaji, Velaiyilla Pattathari, Dharala Prabhu.




Videos source: Cini Mini Comedy, Ayngaran Tamil Movie Comedy, Ayngaran HD, AP International.