Kochi, Sep 13: Malayalam film actor Rizabawa has passed away due to heart-related ailments on Monday, family sources said. He was 54.

The actor became popular for his role 'John Honai' in the movie 'In Harihar Nagar'. He was admitted to a private hospital here three days ago.

Rizabawa appeared on the silver screen in 1990 through 'Doctor Pashupathi'. Later, he acted in 'Chambakkulam Thachan', 'Kaaboolivala', 'Aniyan bava Chettan bava', 'Niram' and 'Nasrani', among others. He had acted in around 150 movies and over 20 television serials.

Malayalam film actor Dulqar Salman, Prithviraj, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition Leader of the State Assembly V D Satheesan and Ministers expressed condolences over the death of the actor.

Vijayan, in his message, said Rizabawa was a noted actor who won hearts of Malayalam movie-goers.

"He is an artist who won the hearts of the Malayalees...He was also a popular face in television serials," Vijayan said.

Higher Education Minister R Bindu said villain John Honai, the character Rizabawa is known for, carved a special place in the hearts of film buffs.

"...Adieu, Shri Rizabawa. You will forever be remembered through your work," Bindhu tweeted.

Satheesan said Rizabawa came into cinema world at a time when he was a busy dramatist.

"Around 150 films in which he proved his talent as a villain and a character actor. He was active in television serials, too. He was noted for his dubbing and received a State award," Satheesan said in a statement.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.

Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.

Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.

An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.

The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.

A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.

Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."

"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.

"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.

A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.