Mohanraj, the renowned Malayalam actor celebrated for his iconic portrayal of the villain ‘Keerikkadan Jose’ in Mohanlal’s classic film Kireedam, passed away on October 3 at the age of 61. He breathed his last at his residence in Kanjirankulam, Kerala. The news was confirmed by actor-director P Dinesh Panicker, who took to Facebook to express his grief. “The villain in Kireedam… Mohanraj, who portrayed Keerikkadan Jose, is now a memory,” Panicker wrote, recalling their time together in films like Cheppu, Kilukkam Changathi, Rajaputhran and Aram Thampuran.
Mohanraj’s journey into films began after a career as an enforcement officer, but his defining role came in 1989 with Kireedam, directed by Sibi Malayil. Recalling the casting of Mohanraj as Keerikkadan Jose, Sibi Malayil shared, “One day, Mohanraj walked into my office, and I knew instantly that he was our Keerikkadan Jose. His presence and build fit the character perfectly.” Scriptwriter Lohithadas agreed immediately, and Mohanraj’s fate was sealed as the formidable villain. “From that day, he wasn’t Mohanraj; he was Keerikkadan Jose,” Sibi added.
Mohanraj’s transformation into the feared yet memorable character was so impactful that he became synonymous with the role, with many unaware of his real name. The actor went on to star in over 300 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and even Japanese cinema. He shared screen space with legendary actors like Mohanlal and Mammootty in some of Malayalam cinema’s most iconic films, including Chenkol, Narasimham, Hallo, Spadikam and Rorschach. His final appearance was in the 2022 Mammootty starrer Rorschach.
Apart from Kireedam, some of his standout performances were in films like Mimics Parade (1991), Uppukandam Brothers (1993), Hitler (1996) and Mayavi (2007). Mohanraj’s contribution to the industry spanned over three decades, and his characters, especially Keerikkadan Jose, remain etched in the memory of cinema lovers.
The funeral will take place on Friday, with the Malayalam film fraternity and fans mourning the loss of a truly unforgettable actor.
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