THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mohan Raj, affectionately known as Keerikadan Jose, has passed away at his home on Thursday. The beloved Malayalam actor was renowned for his roles as a villain in South Indian cinema.
Raj initially worked as a Central government official before making his film debut. He gained fame for his portrayal of Keerikadan Jose in the 1989 film “Kireedam,” which starred Mohanlal as the hero and became one of the all-time hits in Malayalam cinema. This iconic role catapulted Raj to stardom, leading him to act in over 300 films throughout his career.
Standing tall with a commanding presence, Raj's deep voice and expressive facial features redefined the villain archetype in South Indian films. However, his health took a downturn after he suffered a leg injury while filming a stunt scene for a Telugu movie. Since then, he struggled to fully recover.
His last appearance was in the 2022 Mammootty film “Rorshach,” after which his health deteriorated, leading him to stay at home. Fans often gathered around him, affectionately calling him by his iconic screen name, Keerikadan Jose.
The last rites for Mohan Raj will be held in the state capital on Friday.