Venu ji yes at 06:22, 6 February 2026

2026-02-06T06:22:48Z

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{{Short description|Indian film director and cinematographer (1935–2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Crossbelt Mani
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = K. Velayudhan Nair
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1935|04|22}}
| birth_place = [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Travancore|Kingdom of Travancore]], [[British India]]<br>(present day [[Kerala]], India)
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2021|10|30|1935|04|22}}
| death_place = [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]], India
| occupation = {{hlist|Film director|Cinematographer}}
| years_active = 1968 – 1990
| spouse = Sreemathiyamma
| children = 2
| parents = {{Unbulleted_list|Krishna Pillai|Kamalamma}}
}}

'''K. Velayudhan Nair''', better known by his [[stage name]] '''Crossbelt Mani''' (22 April 1935 – 30 October 2021), was an Indian film director and cinematographer, who worked in the [[Malayalam cinema]].<ref name="thehindu">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/07/04/stories/2002070402690200.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140906174012/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/lf/2002/07/04/stories/2002070402690200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 September 2014|title=Throwback to a love saga|date=4 July 2002|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|accessdate=26 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Anand|first=Shilpa Nair|date=2 September 2015|title=Never at cross purposes|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/velayudhan-nair-aka-cross-belt-mani-on-his-blockbuster-film-that-completes-45-years-this-year/article7607751.ece|access-date=30 October 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.metromatinee.com/artist/CrossBelt%20Mani-2598 |title=CrossBelt Mani:Profile and Biography, Malayalam Movie Director CrossBelt Mani latest Photo Gallery | Video Gallery, Malayalam Movie Director CrossBelt Mani, CrossBelt Mani Filimography, CrossBelt Mani Films and Cinemas, CrossBelt Mani Awards and Nominations |access-date=6 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906205417/http://www.metromatinee.com/artist/CrossBelt%20Mani-2598 |archive-date=6 September 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He directed more than 40 Malayalam movies and worked as a cinematographer for ten movies.<ref name="malayalachalachithram">{{cite web|url=http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/profiles.php?i=1889|title=Cross Belt Mani|publisher=malayalachalachithram.com|accessdate=6 September 2014}}</ref> He became popular with his second movie ''[[Cross Belt (film)|Cross Belt]]'' in 1970 and adopted ''Crossbelt'' to his name.<ref name="spicyonion">{{cite web|url=http://spicyonion.com/person/crossbelt-mani-movies-list/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906203715/http://spicyonion.com/person/crossbelt-mani-movies-list/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=6 September 2014|title=Complete List of Crossbelt Mani Movies | Crossbelt Mani Filmography | Spicyonion.com|publisher=spicyonion.com|accessdate=6 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="nthwall">{{cite web|url=http://www.nthwall.com/ml/Crossbelt-Mani/celebrities/4564102769|title=Crossbelt Mani's Movies, Latest News, Video Songs, wallpapers, New Images, Photos, Biography, Upcoming Movies.- Nth Wall|publisher=nthwall.com|accessdate=6 September 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906203958/http://www.nthwall.com/ml/Crossbelt-Mani/celebrities/4564102769|archivedate=6 September 2014}}</ref> Veteran director [[Joshiy]] worked as an assistant director under him.

==Personal life==

Velayudhan Nair with the [[stage name]] Crossbelt Mani hailed from [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{cite news|title=ക്രോസ്‌ബെല്‍റ്റ് മണി ആക്ഷന്‍ സിനിമകളിലെ ഒറ്റയാന്‍|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/features/article-malayalam-news-1.633158|publisher=mathrubhumi.in|accessdate=29 October 2015}}</ref> He was born to Valiyashalayil Madhavivilasathu Krishna Pillai and Kamalamma on 22 April 1935. He was married to Iranayil Bhagavathimandirathu Sreemathiyamma. They had a son, Krishnakumar, and a daughter, Roopa.<ref>{{Cite news|title=സിനിമാ സംവിധായകന്‍ ക്രോസ് ബെല്‍റ്റ് മണി he also married raj kokila and lived with her for a considerable time. അന്തരിച്ചു|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/crossbelt-mani-passes-away-1.6134603|access-date=30 October 2021|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en}}</ref><ref name="msidb">{{cite web|title=Profile of Malayalam Director Cross Belt Mani|url=https://en.msidb.org/qSearch.php?q=Cross%20Belt%20Mani|url-status=live|publisher=en.msidb.org|accessdate=6 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030182836/https://en.msidb.org/qSearch.php?q=Cross%20Belt%20Mani |archive-date=30 October 2021 }}</ref>

Mani died on 30 October 2021, at the age of 86 at his home in Thiruvananthapuram.<ref>{{Cite news|title=സംവിധായകൻ ക്രോസ്ബെൽറ്റ് മണി അന്തരിച്ചു; വിടവാങ്ങിയത് ആദ്യകാല ഹിറ്റ്‌മേക്കർ|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/latest-news/2021/10/30/malayalam-movie-director-crossbelt-mani-passes-away.html|access-date=30 October 2021|website=|publisher=Malayala Manorama}}</ref> He was suffering from various illnesses associated with old age at the time of his death.

==Filmography==

===Direction===
{{Div col}}
* [[Midumidukki]] (1968)
* [[Cross Belt (film)|Cross Belt]] (1970)
* [[Manushyabandhangal]] (1972)
* [[Puthrakameshti]] (1972)
* [[Naadan Premam]] (1972)
* [[Sakthi (1972 film)|Shakthi]] (1972)
* [[Kaapaalika]] (1973)
* [[Nadeenadanmaare Aavasyamundu]] (1974)
* [[Velicham Akale]] (1975)
* Penpada (1975)
* Kuttichaathan (1975)
* Thaamarathoni (1975)
* Chottaanikkara Amma (1976)
* Yudhabhoomi (1976)
* Neethipeedham (1977)
* Penpuli (1977)
* [[Pattaalam Janaki]] (1977)
* [[Aanayum Ambaariyum]] (1978)
* Black Belt (1978)
* [[Pancharathnam]] (1979)
* [[Youvanam Daaham]] (1980)
* [[Eettappuli]] (1983)
* Thimingalam (1983)
* [[Bullet (1984 film)|Bullet]] (1984)
* [[Chorakku Chora]] (1985)
* Black Mail (1985)
* Revenge (1985)
* Ottayan (1985)
* Kulambadikal (1986)
* Pensimham (1986)
* Urukkumanushyan (1986)
* Naaradan Keralathil (1987)
* Devadas (1989)
* Commander (1990)
{{div col end}}

===Cinematography===
* Bullet (1984)
*[[Chorakku Chora]] (1985)
*[[Black Mail (1985 film)|Black Mail]] (1985)
* Revenge (1985)
*[[Ottayan]] (1985)
*[[Kulambadikal]] (1986)
*[[Urukku Manushyan|Urukkumanushyan]] (1986)
*[[Naradhan Keralathil|Naaradan Keralathil]] (1987)
* Commander (1990)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0542339}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mani, Crossbelt}}
[[Category:1935 births]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Malayalam film cinematographers]]
[[Category:Malayalam film directors]]
[[Category:Film directors from Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian photographers]]
[[Category:Cinematographers from Kerala]]

Crossbelt Mani - Revision history

Venu ji yes at 06:22, 6 February 2026