Sasi Kalinga – Popular character artist and comedian of Malayalam cinema

Sasi Kalinga (1961-2020) was a very popular character artist and comedian of Mollywood. A late entry to the world of movies, he has done only a few character roles on screen, yet owns many memorable comic roles to his credit in the past one decade or so. His supporting roles in Paleri Manikyam and Pranchiyettan & the Saint, both starring Mammootty and Amen, Amar Akbar Antony, Adaminte Makan Abu, Pulimurugan etc are some of his popular roles. He was only 59 when passed away in 2020 when Corona tragedy hit the whole world. He was suffering from liver diseases, and his death shocked the cine world. He was an acclaimed theatre artist too.

A theatre artist turned film actor

Sasi Kalinga hailed from Kunnamangalam, Kozhikode. He entered the world of theatre through the plays staged by ‘Stage India’ professional troupe. Some of his plays include – Saakshatkaaram, Japamala, Guru, Kshatreeyam, Ezhuthachan, Krishnagaadha, Bommakulu, Bhagyadevata etc. ‘Thakara Chenda’ was the first play in which he acted. He played the role of a local tradesman in the play. He slowly stopped appearing in plays, after offers started diminishing.

He was active in the theater for about 25 years before he was introduced to silver screen by director Ranjith through Kerala Café, the anthology film in 2009. Same year Ranjith casted him in the memorable role of DYSP Mohandas in the investigation thriller, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha. His role got noticed.

Though he got into films playing serious roles in Ranjith movies such as Indian Rupee, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha and Pranchiyettan & the Saint, slowly he turned a comedian. His mannerisms too fitted a comedian most. Yet he portrayed a few serious character roles too. In the past 12 years since 2009, he appeared in more than 250 movies, apart from being associated with more than 500 plays.

Sasi Kalinga – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. His real name is V. Chandrakumar.

2. He took diploma in automobile engineering from Kerala Government Polytechnic College, Kozhikode.

3. When the movie Paleri Manikyam got released, someone called him Kalinga Sasi. Same name got published in some magazine. Later Sasi decided not to correct this name. Thus unlike other stage actors addressed by troupe name, he earned another professional name.

4. His meaty and serious roles in Ranjith’s movies like Indian Rupee, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha and Pranchiyettan & the Saint earned him acclaimation. In fact his first break to films was given by Ranjith.

5. Though he is best known for his comic roles and strange mannerisms, he played the serious role of DYSP Mohandas in Paleri Manikyam.

6. He played the solo hero role in Hello Innu Onnam Thiyathiyaanu directed by Sahadevan Iyyakadu. It was based on the theme of bad effects of drinking.