Kochi, Oct 2 : Veteran Malayalam film personality Thampi Kannanthanam passed away on Tuesday at a private hospital near here after several days of illness, the film fraternity said. He was 65.

Kannanthanam was a producer, director and have also acted in a few films.

He was admitted to the private hospital last week.

A multi-faceted film personality, Kannanthanam was a hugely successful and celebrated director and often regarded as the one who took Mohanlal to his career high in "Rajavinte Makan" in 1986. After this film, Mohanlal had never looked back in his career.

Mohanlal told the media over the phone from Kulu-Manali in Himachal Pradesh, that without any qualms he would say Thampi Kannanthanam moulded him into the star he was today.

"A long time good friend of mine has passed away and his long standing wish of making a sequel to our block buster 'Rajavinte Makan' now will never happen again," said Mohanlal.

In all, Kannanthanam directed 16 films between 1983 and 2004 and produced seven films while he acted in 10.

Kannanthanam began as an assistant to ace filmmakers Sasikumar and then with Joshy and when he started on his own, most of what he did, turned out to be a success.

Known for his jovial nature and one with no airs, he was liked by all sections of the film industry.




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Bengaluru (PTI): A woman was booked on charges of obstructing a police inspector from discharging his official duties and threatening to commit suicide if he did not accept her love proposal, police said on Wednesday.

The 45-year-old inspector attached to the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station here alleged that the woman repeatedly harassed him, they said.

According to his complaint, the harassment began on October 30, when he started receiving calls from an unknown woman from multiple phone numbers.

During these calls, she allegedly spoke incoherently and claimed to have close links with several highly placed individuals, including the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, Home Minister and other political leaders.

Police said the woman sent photographs via WhatsApp purportedly showing herself with these dignitaries and claimed she could use their influence to compel the inspector to accept her proposal. She also allegedly threatened to use her contacts against him if he refused.

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The inspector said that he advised her to visit the police station and submit a written complaint if she had any grievance. However, she did not do so and instead continued to repeatedly call and send messages, which disturbed his official duties, the FIR said.

According to the FIR, on November 7, the woman allegedly visited his office and handed over an envelope containing some tablets along with handwritten letters. The letters contained emotionally charged and inappropriate content, and the woman claimed they were written using her blood, indicating obsessive behaviour.

Despite being clearly informed that the number she was contacting was an official departmental number meant for public service, she allegedly continued making unnecessary calls and messages, causing mental harassment and obstruction to his day-to-day duties, he alleged.

During the inquiry, police learnt that the woman had allegedly exhibited similar behaviour with other police and government officials in the past, it stated.

On December 12, she allegedly went to his police station and shouted and threatened to commit suicide and ruin the inspector's career if he did not respond to her proposal, prompting him to lodge a complaint.

"Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the woman under Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and 221 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station. The matter is under investigation," police said.