Renowned Actor Mohan Raj Passes Away in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: Renowned actor Mohan Raj, known for his villainous roles in the Malayalam film industry, passed away on Thursday afternoon. He died at his residence in Kanjiramkulam, Thiruvananthapuram, at the age of 70. The actor had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease and had been undergoing treatment for several years. He had relocated to Kanjiramkulam from Chennai a year ago to seek Ayurvedic treatment.

Mohan Raj gained significant fame for his role as “Keerikkadan Jose” in the movie ‘Kireedam,’ which established him as one of the most memorable villains in Malayalam cinema. Over his career, he appeared in approximately 300 films, leaving a mark not only in Malayalam but also in Tamil and Telugu cinema. Additionally, he acted in two Japanese movies, showcasing his talent internationally.

The actor was originally from Kanjiramkulam and was active in sports during his time at Thiruvananthapuram Government Arts College. Subsequently, he joined the military, but an injury forced him to leave the army, after which he took up roles in Customs and later in the Enforcement Directorate in Chennai. His entry into the film industry occurred while he was still with the enforcement department, starting with a role in the Tamil movie ‘Kazhumalai Kallan’ followed by ‘Ankale Nambathe.’

It was filmmaker Kaladharan, a friend, who introduced Mohan Raj to directors Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas. His portrayal of the character in ‘Kireedam’ became iconic due to an unforeseen absence of the original actor meant for the role, offering him a lucky break. This opportunity paved the way for his successful career.

Within his career, Mohan Raj faced professional challenges including suspension from the Central Services for acting without permission. This led to a prolonged legal struggle that concluded twenty years later in 2010 when he was reinstated, though he resigned shortly after. The injury sustained during his military service continued to affect him later in life. Some of his notable films include ‘Chenkol,’ ‘Kanalkkattu,’ ‘Marupuram,’ ‘Aamina Tailors,’ ‘Narasimham,’ ‘Aaram Thamburan,’ ‘Maayavi,’ and ‘Mimics Parade.’

Mohan Raj is survived by his wife, Usha, and their children, Jaishma and Kavya. Arrangements for his funeral are yet to be announced.