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Kalabhavan Haneef Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 6, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1959 or 1960

Age63 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceMattancherry, Kerala, India

ProfessionActor, Mimic

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried (at time of death)

SpouseWahidha Haneef

FamilySon - Sharooq Haneef; Daughter - Sithara Ismail; Father - Hamza; Mother - Zubaidah

Kalabhavan Haneef Biography

Kalabhavan Haneef was a Malayalam actor and mimicry artist from Kochi whose career spanned over three decades and more than 150 films. He began in stage tr

Early life and background

Kalabhavan Muhammad Haneef was born in Mattancherry, Kerala, and grew up in a family with a strong interest in cinema. He was the eldest of five siblings, the son of Hamza, who ran a stationery shop, and his wife Zubaidah. From a young age Haneef was drawn to films and mimicry; reading cinema magazines and watching Malayalam screen legends helped shape his ambitions.

Haneef’s formative performing experience came through mimicry. He joined the well-known Kalabhavan troupe in Kochi after being introduced to the centre by a neighbour who was already active in the field. He toured with the troupe for stage programmes both in India and abroad, eventually becoming one of its leading performers and adopting Kalabhavan as a professional prefix.

Career

Haneef transitioned from mimicry to film in the early 1990s. His screen debut came in 1991 with a role as a police constable in the Malayalam film Cheppukilukkana Changathi. That opening appearance placed him alongside established stars and led to a long run in supporting and character roles.

Across a career spanning more than thirty years, Haneef appeared in over 150 Malayalam films. He was part of several widely seen and long-running titles, including Sandesham (1991), Godfather (1991), Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji (1994), Chotta Mumbai (2006), Vinodayathra (2007), Drishyam (2013) and Amar Akbar Anthony (2014). Two comic turns that brought him particular notice were the groom in Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001) and a memorable comedic groom in Thenkasipattanam (2000). He also had notable parts in Pandippada (2005), Thuruppugulan (2006) and Ustad Hotel (2012).

Haneef continued to work steadily into the 2020s. He acted in short films such as Corona Villa (2021) and Mundu (2022), and appeared in the web series Instagraamam (2021) on NeeStream in the role of a police officer. On television he featured in serials and comedy programmes including Minnukettu, Nadhaswaram, Comedyum Mimicsum Pinne Njanum, Abi’s Corner, Manassiloru Mazhavillu and Tilana Tilana.

In 2023 he appeared as a dam operator in 2018: Everyone is a Hero, a film that was selected by the Film Federation of India as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards. His final film credit listed is Garudan (2023).

Recognition

Haneef’s work in shorter formats was acknowledged when he won the Best Short Film Actor award at the 24th Global Excellency Films Award 2020–2021 in Cochin for his performance in the Malayalam short film Corona Villa (2021). He remained known to audiences for his broadly comic performances and reliable character work across stage, television and cinema.

Public profile

Haneef was known professionally as Kalabhavan Haneef in recognition of his roots at the Kalabhavan performing arts centre. He stood about 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) tall and had black hair and black eyes. He married Wahidha Haneef on 12 October 1990; the couple had two children, a son, Sharooq (also spelled Shahrukh) Haneef, and a daughter, Sithara Ismail, who is a YouTube vlogger.

Death

Kalabhavan Haneef died on 9 November 2023 at a private hospital in Kochi. He was 63 years old. The cause of death was reported as a respiratory disease. His mortal remains were displayed for public respects at a local hall in Kappalandi Mukku near Chullikkal, Kochi, and the funeral took place at the Chembittapally Juma Masjid in Kochi.

Latest updates

His last credited film release was Garudan (2023). Earlier the same year he appeared in 2018: Everyone is a Hero, which received attention for its selection as India’s official submission to the Academy Awards’ international feature category. Earlier short-film work including Corona Villa (2021) and Mundu (2022) continued to keep him active across formats in the later stages of his career.
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Recent Work

2018: Everyone is a Hero

Played a dam operator; the film was selected as India’s official entry to the 96th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film.

2023
Garudan

Feature film listed as his last film credit.

2023
Mundu

Malayalam short film.

2022
Corona Villa

Malayalam short film for which he won Best Short Film Actor at the 24th Global Excellency Films Award 2020–2021.

2021
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Career Highlights

  1. Debuted in Malayalam cinema with Cheppukilukkana Changathi (1991)
  2. Appeared in over 150 Malayalam films across a three-decade career
  3. Won Best Short Film Actor at the 24th Global Excellency Films Award 2020–2021 for Corona Villa
  4. Featured in 2018: Everyone is a Hero, India’s submission to the 96th Academy Awards
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Kalabhavan Haneef born?

1959 or 1960

What is Kalabhavan Haneef known for?

Actor, Mimic

What is Kalabhavan Haneef’s marital status?

Married (at time of death)

Who is Kalabhavan Haneef married to?

Wahidha Haneef