Kalabhavan Navas
Kalabhavan Navas | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Navas in 2010 | |
| Born | Navas Backer[1] 1974 |
| Died | 1 August 2025 (aged 50–51) Chottanikkara, Kerala |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1995–2025 |
| Spouse |
Rehna Navas (m. 2002) |
| Children | 3 |
| Father | Aboobacker |
| Relatives | Niyas Backer (brother) |
Navas Backer (1974 – 1 August 2025), known professionally as Kalabhavan Navas, was an Indian actor, comedian and mimic. He began his career performing mimicry in stage shows and gained prominence after joining the Kalabhavan troupe, from which he adopted his professional moniker. He subsequently performed with the Cochin Arts troupe along with his brother, Niyas Backer. He was also a singer.
Navas made his film debut in Chaithanyam (1995) and appeared in approximately 50 Malayalam films, primarily in comedic roles. He is best known for his roles in Mimics Action 500 (1995), Hitler Brothers (1997), Junior Mandrake (1997), Mattupetti Machan (1998), Chandamama (1999) and Thillana Thillana (2003).
Early life
[edit]Navas was born in a village at Wadakkancherry, Thrissur, in 1974. His father, Aboobacker, was a theatre and film actor who had appeared in several Malayalam films, while his mother, originally from Ernakulam, was a homemaker. Navas grew up with two siblings — an elder brother, Niyas, and a younger brother, Nisam.[2] The family were practising Muslims. Though his father worked as an actor, his earnings were meagre, and the family lived within limited means during Navas's childhood.[3]
After beginning his career as an artist, he moved to his mother's ancestral home in Ernakulam and lived there for twenty years. His brother, Niyas Backer, also went on to become a comic actor in film and television.[2] His other brother Nisam (Nisamuddin) became a journalist.[4]
Career
[edit]Navas and his brother Niyas Backer used to visit the filming location of Venkalam, directed by Bharathan — who was also from Wadakkanchery — and would perform skits at the artists' camp.[5] Inspired by mimicry artists of the time such as Jayaram and Zainuddin, the brothers developed a keen interest in mimicry and began performing on stage. Navas later joined Kalabhavan, where he started doing professional mimicry shows. Eventually, he became independent and, together with his brother Niyas, founded Cochin Arts, under which they continued performing mimicry.[6] Navas used to imitate his father's role in Vatsalyam on stage.[7]
Navas debuted as an actor in the feature film Mr and Mrs in 1992 as Newspaper Boy. He mostly played comic roles in films. He is best known for his roles in Mimics Action 500 (1995), Hitler Brothers (1997), Junior Mandrake (1997), Mattupetti Machan (1998), Chandamama (1999) and Thillana Thillana (2003).[8] Sometime after his marriage, Navas wrote and directed the telefilm Velicham, which also featured his wife Rehna. The couple also appeared together in the short film Mandan Bench in 2015.[7] The couple once again played leading roles in the 2025 film Izha, which also marked Rehna's return to feature films.[9] His final release before death was Detective Ujjwalan (2025).[8] That same year, he acted in Tiki Taka and Prakambanam. He passed away shortly after completing the latter.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Navas was married to Rehna, who had acted in a few films and television serials. Their marriage was arranged while they were both acting in the film Neelakasham Niraye (2002).[7] The couple had three children — Naharin, Rihan and Ridwan. After their marriage, Navas built a house in Choondy, Aluva, where they lived for several years. Eventually, they moved to a new home he constructed at Nalam Mile, Aluva. Later on, Rehna repurposed their former residence, converting the upper floor into a boutique and the ground floor into a nursery school.[2] She is originally from Palluruthy.[3] Their daughter Naharin debuted in the film Confessions of a Cuckoo (2021).[11]
Death
[edit]On 1 August 2025, Navas was found unconscious at a hotel in Chottanikkara, after having returned to his room after a film's shooting. His death was confirmed at the nearest hospital. He was 51.[12][13][14]
Filmography
[edit]Films
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Mr and Mrs | Newspaper Boy | (Debut cameo) |
| 1995 | Chaithanyam | Cameo | |
| Ezharakoottam | |||
| Mimics Action 500 | Babykutty | ||
| Kalamasseriyil Kalyanayogam | Navas | ||
| 1996 | Mimics Super 1000 | ||
| Ishtamanu Nooruvattom | |||
| 1997 | Hitler Brothers | Thankappan | |
| Siamese Irattakal | |||
| Junior Mandrake | Sandeep Nambiar | ||
| 1998 | Mayajalam | Pappan | |
| Amma Ammaayiyamma | Sharath | ||
| Meenakshi Kalyanam | Unnikrishnan | ||
| Mattupetti Machan | Unnikrishnan | ||
| Aagosham | |||
| 1999 | Chandamama | Pullepadi Monayi | |
| My Dear Karadi | Appukuttan | ||
| Auto Brothers | |||
| 2001 | One Man Show | Shajahan | |
| 2002 | Neelakasham Niraye | ||
| 2003 | Thillana Thillana | Govindan | |
| 2004 | Vettam | Prince | |
| 2006 | Chakkara Muthu | Santhosh | |
| 2009 | Chattambinadu | Manikandan | |
| Boomi Malayalam | |||
| 2010 | Senior Mandrake | Sandeep Nambiar | |
| Valiyangadi | Pariyakutty | ||
| Kaaryasthan | Navas | Cameo | |
| 2011 | Veeraputhran | ||
| 2012 | Cobra | Also Playback Singer | |
| Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty | Gymman | ||
| 2013 | ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi | Saji | |
| The Factory | Single Character Film | ||
| 2014 | Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu | Khadar | |
| 2015 | John Honai | Jaffer | |
| Ormakalil Oru Manjukaalam | |||
| 3 Wicketinu 365 Runs | |||
| 2016 | Iyer in Pakistan | ||
| 2017 | Pretham Undu Sookshikkuka | ||
| Achayans | Fr. Jose Kireekadan's Assistant | ||
| 2019 | Thanka Bhasma Kuriyitta Thamburatti | SI Rajan | |
| Mera Naam Shaji | Marunnu Johny | ||
| Driving License | Menon | [15] | |
| 2021 | Louis | ||
| 2023 | Vanita | ||
| A Ranjith Cinema | Yousaf | ||
| 2024 | Aaro | [16] | |
| Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam | Rajeev | [17] | |
| 2025 | Detective Ujjwalan | Ashokan | [18] |
| Tikki Taka | Philip | Posthumous release | |
| Prakambanam | Posthumous release |
Television
[edit]- As Host
- Badai Bungalow
- Rani Maharani
- As Judge
- Comedy Masters
- Comedy Stars Season 2
- Thakarppan Comedy
- Himself as Guest
- Cinema Chirima
- Onnum Onnum Moonu
- Manam Pole Mangalyam
- Komedy Circus
- Star Ragging
- Idavelayil
- TV serials
- Veedu
- Bhagyanakshatram
References
[edit]- ^ "Kalabhavan Navas passes away". ammakerala.com. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ^ a b c Ajith. "ചിരി നിറയുന്ന മൺവീട്; കലാഭവൻ നവാസിന്റെ വീട്ടുവിശേഷങ്ങൾ". Malayala Manorama (in Malayalam). Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ a b കാസിം, സിറാജ് (2 May 2022). "സിനിമാക്കാലത്തെ പെരുന്നാൾ, മസാലദോശയും തരിക്കഞ്ഞിയും; വിശേഷങ്ങളുമായി നവാസും രഹ്നയും". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ Nakul, V. G. (7 March 2019). "പ്രായത്തിൽ 'മറിമായ'മില്ല, എനിക്ക് 46, മോൾക്ക് 21! സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയയുടെ സംശയങ്ങൾക്ക് നിയാസ് ബക്കർ മറുപടി പറയുന്നു". Vanitha (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ^ "Hard work and patience pay'-Niyas Backer". Deccan Chronicle.
- ^ M., Athira (2 July 2015). "'Comedy should be natural'". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ a b c ദയാബ്ജി, രൂപാ (16 January 2016). "ആ ചിത്രം കണ്ടാൽ അന്ന് വീട്ടിൽ കരച്ചിലും ബഹളവുമാണ്". Manorama Online. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ^ a b Pavithran, Lekshmy (2 August 2025). "'Gone too soon': Celebs and fans mourn actor Kalabhavan Navas". Gulf News. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ^ Zee Malayalam News Desk (15 January 2025). "Izha Movie: 20 വർഷത്തിന് ശേഷം നടി രഹന തിരിച്ചെത്തുന്നു; റിലീസിന് തയ്യാറായി 'ഇഴ'". Zee News Malayalam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ^ Filmfare (2 August 2025). "Kalabhavan Navas Passes Away at 51: Malayalam Cinema Mourns a Comic Talent Gone Too Soon". Filmfare. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ^ "കലാഭവൻ നവാസിന്റേയും രഹ്നയുടേയും മകൾ നഹറിൻ അഭിനയരം ഗത്തേക്ക്". Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). 2 January 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ "Actor Kalabhavan Navas passes away; found dead in hotel room in Kochi". Keralakaumudi Daily. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ "നടൻ കലാഭവൻ നവാസ് അന്തരിച്ചു". www.mediaoneonline.com (in Malayalam). 1 August 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ "Malayalam Actor Kalabhavan Navas Found Dead In Kochi Hotel Room, Police Suspect Cardiac Arrest". Times Now. 2 August 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ^ "Kalabhavan Navas Filmography".
- ^ Features, C. E. (25 April 2024). "Joju George and Anumol's Aaro gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ "Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam: ത്രില്ലടിപ്പിച്ച അന്വേഷണം, മികവ് പുലർത്തി अभिनേതാക്കളും; ഗംഭീര പ്രതികരണം നേടി 'ഒരു അന്വേഷണത്തിന്റെ തുടക്കം'". Zee News Malayalam. 9 November 2024.
- ^ Mullappilly, Sreejith (14 April 2025). "Dhyan Sreenivasan's Detective Ujjwalan gets release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 16 April 2025.