Aroma Mani, Renowned Malayalam Producer-Director, Passes Away At 65

The Malayalam film industry mourns the loss of a cinematic giant. M Mani, fondly known as 'Aroma Mani', passed away on Sunday at 65. His remarkable three-decade career as a producer and director left an indelible mark on South Indian cinema.

  • Amit Diwan
  • Editorial
  • Updated - 2024-07-15, 10:41 IST
south director m mani death

Aroma Mani's journey into filmmaking began unexpectedly. In the late 1970s, he was a successful hotelier in the capital when actor Madhu suggested he try his hand at film production. This chance conversation sparked a passion that would shape Malayalam cinema for years to come.

Aroma Mani Movies

aroma mani

Under the banners of Aroma Movie International and Sunitha Productions, Mani produced over 60 films. His debut, ‘Dheerasameere Yamuna Theere’ (1977), directed by Madhu, marked the beginning of a prolific career. While early commercial success proved elusive, Mani quickly developed a keen eye for scripts that resonated with audiences.

Aroma Mani's production list boasts an impressive mix of critically acclaimed works and box office hits. He produced award-winning films like Padmarajan's ‘Thinkalazhcha Nalla Divasam’ (1985), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam, and ‘Kallan Pavithran’ (1981). Sibi Malayil's ‘Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam’ (1986) secured the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues under his banner.

Mani's name became synonymous with some of Malayalam cinema's biggest commercial successes. His productions include iconic films like ‘Irupatham Noottandu’ (1987), ‘Oru CBI Diary Kurippu’ (1988), ‘August 1’ (1988), ‘Jagratha’ (1989), ‘Kottayam Kunjachan’ (1990), ‘Dhruvam’ (1993), ‘Commissioner’ (1994), and ‘FIR’ (1999).

Beyond his role as a producer, Aroma Mani also made his mark as a director. He helmed 10 films during his career, with the romantic drama ‘Kuyiline Thedi’ (1983) standing out as a particular audience favourite.

aroma

Aroma Mani's final production, the critically acclaimed 'Artist’ (2013) directed by Shyamaprasad, serves as a fitting capstone to his illustrious career. It exemplifies his commitment to supporting both commercial and artistic ventures in Malayalam cinema.

The passing of Aroma Mani leaves a void in the industry. His ability to balance commercial success with artistic integrity set a benchmark for producers in the region. As colleagues and fans pay tribute to this legendary figure, his legacy lives on through the countless films he brought to life and the careers he helped nurture.

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