Cochin Haneefa was the only Malayali, other than MGR, to dine with ex-Tamil Nadu CM Karunanidhi at his home

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Interestingly, Karunanidhi happened to watch the movie and liked it quite a lot. One day, Haneefa received a phone call from someone close to Kalaignar, who said the political strongman wished to see him. The Malayalam actor obliged. Upon meeting him, Karunanidhi expressed his interest in remaking Moonnu Masangalku Mumbu in Tamil. Haneefa, however, had one condition: that Kalaignar himself must write the Tamil script for the film. The wordsmith agreed. Thus, they signed the agreement to remake the movie as Paasa Paravaigal.

Cochin Haneefa’s big speech predicting Karunanidhi’s win

Despite releasing alongside a couple of other films, Paasa Paravaigal went on to become a massive hit, running for about 150 days. Karunanidhi’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) was in the opposition at that time. The state assembly elections were right around the corner. In his autobiography titled Poyppooya Kaalam, Haneefa recounted that while addressing the gathering during Paasa Paravaigal’s success meet, he stated with certainty that Kalaignar would become the CM in the forthcoming elections. Not only were Haneefa’s words received with applause, but the following day’s newspapers prominently featured his speech. DMK eventually won.

Cochin Haneefa in Paadatha Thenikkal. (Express archive photo)

“I went to Kalaignar’s house to congratulate him. It was just him, Murasoli Maran’s younger brother, Murasoli Selvam (political journalist and film producer), and me there. That day, I left his home at two in the morning. The joy of tasting victory after 13 years was visible outside the house as well. Winners and film personalities filled the place. As we sat down to eat after hearing the results, Kalaignar said: ‘Only two Malayalees have ever sat in this room. One was MGR, and now Haneefa,'” the actor-filmmaker wrote in his autobiography, according to Deshabhimani.

When Cochin Haneefa said no to Kalaignar’s offer

The duo’s camaraderie didn’t end there. When Haneefa made his sophomore directorial venture, Paadatha Thenikkal, Karunanidhi once again turned screenwriter for his beloved thozhan (friend). During a conversation with Vanitha magazine years later, Haneefa’s wife, Fasila, recalled that after the success of Paasa Paravaigal, Karunanidhi, as a token of affection, asked the actor-filmmaker where in Chennai he would like a piece of land to build a house. Haneefa, however, humbly replied that all he needed was his salary for the work he had done in the film.

Cochin Haneefa briefs actors Radhika and Rahman during the shooting of his directorial venture Pagalil Pournami. (Express archive photo)

Aside from scripting a handful of movies, Haneefa also helmed a couple of more projects, such as Oru Sindoora Pottinte Ormaykku (1987), Aankiliyude Tharattu (1987), Veena Meettiya Vilangukal (1990), Pagalil Pournami (1990), Vatsalyam (1993), and Bheesmacharya (1994), before shifting his focus entirely to acting.

He eventually became one of Malayalam cinema’s most beloved and celebrated comedians of all time, known for his performances in movies such as Kireedam, Chenkol, Punjabi House, Mannar Mathai Speaking, Devaasuram, Praja, Arayannangalude Veedu, Sathyam Sivam Sundaram, Swapnakoodu, Mazhathullikkilukkam, Meesa Madhavan, Kunjikoonan, CID Moosa, Kilichundan Mampazham, Pulivaal Kalyanam, and Thilakkam, among others. In fact, no matter how big or small, well-written or not, his roles were, Haneefa always managed to deliver memorable performances whenever he appeared on screen.

Cochin Haneefa with co-star Prabhu and director Priyadarshan on the sets of Kaalapani. (Express archive photo)

The case was the same in Tamil as well, where he played notable roles in movies such as Mahanadi, Kaathala Kaathala, Mounam Sammadham, Vaaname Ellai, Mudhalvan, Citizen, Paarthale Paravasam, Anniyan, Sivaji: The Boss, Deepavali, Kireedam, Aegan, Vettaikaran, Madrasapattinam, and Enthiran. He also did a few Hindi and Telugu films in his career. Cochin Haneefa passed away at the age of 59 in February 2010.