New Delhi: Mohanraj, the actor known for his unforgettable portrayal of 'Keerikadan Jose' in the Mohanlal-starrer 'Kireedam', passed away on Thursday (October 3). He was 66. He was well-known for his work in Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam films. Mohanraj died at his home in Kanjiramkulam (Thiruvananthapuram) at around 3 o'clock in the afternoon. He is survived by his wife Usha and two daughters, Jaishma and Kaaviya.
Filmmaker and actor P Dinesh Panicker verified the news and expressed his sadness in a Facebook post. “The villain in Kireedam… Mohanraj, who portrayed Keerikkadan Jose, is now a memory.”
A year ago, Mohanraj moved from Chennai to Thiruvananthapuram to get Ayurvedic therapy for his Parkinson's disease, according to a report by Mathrubhumi.
Mohanraj has been dealing with a number of health problems for a long time. He had a severe leg injury while filming a Telugu film a few years back. Mohanraj spent almost a month in 2019 at General Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, receiving treatment for his varicose vein, which made walking difficult for him.
He became one of the most sought-after villains in Malayalam films when his depiction of 'Keerikadan Jose' became a cult favourite. He left an indelible mark on the cinema business with appearances in over 300 films during his career.
Mohanraj's Carrer
Mohanraj has been in a slew of Malayalam films since making his big screen debut in 1988's 'Moonam Mura'. His acting career in Malayalam films came to a halt after 2008. He portrayed Viswanathan in Mammootty's 'Rorschach' in 2022, which was his final appearance in films.