Souravroyjournalist at 18:22, 10 February 2026

2026-02-10T18:22:13Z

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{{Short description|Indian actor and comedian (1974–2025)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kalabhavan Navas
| image = Kalabhavan ansar (cropped).jpg
| caption = Navas in 2010
| birth_date = {{birth date|1974|4|27|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Wadakkancherry, Thrissur|Wadakkancherry]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]], [[Kerala]], India
| death_date = {{death date and given age|df=yes|2025|8|1|51}}
| death_place = [[Chottanikkara]], Kerala, India
| alma mater =
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|[[Impressionist (entertainment)|mimic]]|singer}}
| years_active = 1992–2025
| spouse = {{marriage|Rehna Navas|27 October 2002}}
| children = 3
| father = Aboobacker
| relatives = [[Niyas Backer]] (brother)
}}

'''Navas Backer''' (27 April 1974 – 1 August 2025), better known by his stage name as '''Kalabhavan Navas''', was an Indian actor, comedian and [[Impressionist (entertainment)|mimic]]. He began his career performing mimicry in stage shows and gained prominence after joining the [[Kalabhavan]] troupe, from which he adopted his professional moniker. He subsequently performed with the Cochin Arts troupe along with his brother, [[Niyas Backer]]. He was also a singer.

Navas made his film debut in ''Chaithanyam'' (1995) and appeared in approximately 50 Malayalam films, primarily in comedic roles. He is best known for his roles in ''[[Mimics Action 500]]'' (1995), ''[[Hitler Brothers]]'' (1997), ''[[Junior Mandrake]]'' (1997), ''[[Mattupetti Machan]]'' (1998), ''[[Chandamama (1999 film)|Chandamama]]'' (1999) and ''[[Thillana Thillana]]'' (2003).

==Early life==
Navas was born in a village at [[Wadakkancherry, Thrissur]], in 27 April 1974. His father, Aboobacker, was a theatre and film actor who had appeared in several [[Malayalam film]]s, while his mother, originally from [[Ernakulam]], was a homemaker. Navas grew up with two siblings — an elder brother, Niyas, and a younger brother, Nisam.<ref name="MM_interview">{{cite news |author1=Ajith |title=ചിരി നിറയുന്ന മൺവീട്; കലാഭവൻ നവാസിന്റെ വീട്ടുവിശേഷങ്ങൾ |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/homestyle/spot-light/2019/11/11/kalabhavan-navas-mud-house-aluva-memories.html |access-date=1 August 2025 |work=[[Malayala Manorama]]|language=ml}}</ref> The family were practising [[Muslims]]. Though his father worked as an actor, his earnings were meagre, and the family lived within limited means during Navas's childhood.<ref name="Mathrubhumi_interview1">{{cite news |last1=കാസിം |first1=സിറാജ് |title=സിനിമാക്കാലത്തെ പെരുന്നാൾ, മസാലദോശയും തരിക്കഞ്ഞിയും; വിശേഷങ്ങളുമായി നവാസും രഹ്നയും |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/lifestyle/features/kalabhavan-navas-rehana-sharing-perunnal-memories-1.7482579 |access-date=1 August 2025 |work=[[Mathrubhumi]] |date=2 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

After beginning his career as an artist, he moved to his mother's ancestral home in Ernakulam and lived there for twenty years. His brother, Niyas Backer, also went on to become a comic actor in film and television.<ref name="MM_interview"/> His other brother Nisam (Nisamuddin) became a journalist.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nakul |first1=V. G. |title=പ്രായത്തിൽ ‘മറിമായ’മില്ല, എനിക്ക് 46, മോൾക്ക് 21! സോഷ്യൽ മീഡിയയുടെ സംശയങ്ങൾക്ക് നിയാസ് ബക്കർ മറുപടി പറയുന്നു |url=https://www.vanitha.in/celluloid/movies/2019/03/07/niyas-backer-actor-interview-special.html |access-date=2 August 2025 |work=[[Vanitha (magazine)|Vanitha]] |date=7 March 2019 |language=ml}}</ref>

==Career==

Navas and his brother Niyas Backer used to visit the filming location of ''[[Venkalam]]'', directed by [[Bharathan]] — who was also from Wadakkanchery — and would perform skits at the artists' camp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/070217/hard-work-and-patience-pay-niyas-backer.html|title=Hard work and patience pay'-Niyas Backer|work=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> Inspired by mimicry artists of the time such as [[Jayaram]] and [[Zainuddin (actor)|Zainuddin]], the brothers developed a keen interest in [[Impressionist (entertainment)|mimicry]] and began performing on stage. Navas later joined [[Kalabhavan]], where he started doing professional mimicry shows. Eventually, he became independent and, together with his brother Niyas, founded Cochin Arts, under which they continued performing mimicry.<ref>{{cite news |last1=M. |first1=Athira |title='Comedy should be natural' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/comedy-should-be-natural/article7374752.ece |access-date=1 August 2025 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=2 July 2015}}</ref> Navas used to imitate his father's role in ''[[Vatsalyam]]'' on stage.<ref name="MM2"/>

Navas debuted as an actor in the feature film ''Mr and Mrs'' in 1992 as Newspaper Boy. He mostly played comic roles in films. He is best known for his roles in ''[[Mimics Action 500]]'' (1995), ''[[Hitler Brothers]]'' (1997), ''[[Junior Mandrake]]'' (1997), ''[[Mattupetti Machan]]'' (1998), ''[[Chandamama (1999 film)|Chandamama]]'' (1999) and ''[[Thillana Thillana]]'' (2003).<ref name="GN">{{cite news |last1=Pavithran |first1=Lekshmy |title=‘Gone too soon’: Celebs and fans mourn actor Kalabhavan Navas |url=https://gulfnews.com/entertainment/south-indian/celebs-fans-mourn-kalabhavan-navas-sudden-death-stuns-malayalam-film-industry-1.500220337 |access-date=2 August 2025 |work=[[Gulf News]] |date=2 August 2025}}</ref> Sometime after his marriage, Navas wrote and directed the telefilm ''Velicham'', which also featured his wife Rehna. The couple also appeared together in the short film ''Mandan Bench'' in 2015.<ref name="MM2">{{cite news |last1=ദയാബ്ജി |first1=രൂപാ |title=ആ ചിത്രം കണ്ടാൽ അന്ന് വീട്ടിൽ കരച്ചിലും ബഹളവുമാണ് |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/women/interviews/interview-with-navas-and-rahna.html |access-date=2 August 2025 |work=[[Manorama Online]] |date=16 January 2016}}</ref> The couple once again played leading roles in the 2025 film ''Izha'', which also marked Rehna's return to feature films.<ref>{{cite news |author1=Zee Malayalam News Desk |title=Izha Movie: 20 വർഷത്തിന് ശേഷം നടി രഹന തിരിച്ചെത്തുന്നു; റിലീസിന് തയ്യാറായി 'ഇഴ' |url=https://zeenews.india.com/malayalam/movies/navas-kalabhavan-rahna-movie-izha-teaser-released-movie-will-be-released-soon-219401 |access-date=2 August 2025 |work=[[Zee News Malayalam]] |date=15 January 2025 |language=ml}}</ref> His final release before death was ''[[Detective Ujjwalan]]'' (2025).<ref name="GN"/> That same year, he acted in ''Tiki Taka'' and ''Prakambanam''. He died shortly after completing the latter.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Filmfare |title=Kalabhavan Navas Passes Away at 51: Malayalam Cinema Mourns a Comic Talent Gone Too Soon|url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/south/kalabhavan-navas-passes-away-at-51-malayalam-cinema-mourns-a-comic-talent-gone-too-soon-76295.html |publisher=Filmfare |access-date=2 August 2025 |date=2 August 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life and death==
Navas was married to Rehna, who had acted in a few films and television serials. Their marriage was arranged while they were both acting in the film ''Neelakasham Niraye'' (2002).<ref name="MM2"/> The couple had three children — Naharin, Rihan and Ridwan. After their marriage, Navas built a house in Choondy, [[Aluva]], where they lived for several years. Eventually, they moved to a new home he constructed at Nalam Mile, Aluva. Later on, Rehna repurposed their former residence, converting the upper floor into a [[boutique]] and the ground floor into a nursery school.<ref name="MM_interview"/> She is originally from [[Palluruthy]].<ref name="Mathrubhumi_interview1"/> Their daughter Naharin debuted in the film ''[[Confessions of a Cuckoo]]'' (2021).<ref>{{cite news |title=കലാഭവൻ നവാസിന്റേയും രഹ്നയുടേയും മകൾ നഹറിൻ അഭിനയരം ഗത്തേക്ക് |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/kalabhavan-navas-and-actress-rehna-daughter-naharin-debut-in-malayalam-cinema-1.5325603 |access-date=1 August 2025 |work=[[Mathrubhumi]] |date=2 January 2021 |language=ml}}</ref>

On 1 August 2025, Navas was found unconscious at a hotel in [[Chottanikkara]], after having returned to his room after a film's shooting. His death was confirmed at the nearest hospital due to [[cardiac arrest]]. He was 51.<ref>{{cite web |title=Actor Kalabhavan Navas passes away; found dead in hotel room in Kochi |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=1583122&u= |website=Keralakaumudi Daily |access-date=1 August 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="death-article">{{cite web |title=നടൻ കലാഭവൻ നവാസ് അന്തരിച്ചു |url=https://www.mediaoneonline.com/kerala/actor-kalabhavan-navas-passed-away-296085 |website=www.mediaoneonline.com |access-date=1 August 2025 |language=ml |date=1 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 2025 |title=Malayalam Actor Kalabhavan Navas Found Dead In Kochi Hotel Room, Police Suspect Cardiac Arrest |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/malayalam/malayalam-actor-kalabhavan-navas-found-dead-in-kochi-hotel-room-police-suspect-cardiac-arrest-article-152393480 |access-date=2 August 2025 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Actor Kalabhavan Navas passes away">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Actor Kalabhavan Navas passes away |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/actor-kalabhavan-navas-found-dead/article69884575.ece |access-date=4 August 2025 |publisher=The Hindu |date=1 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250804040815/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/actor-kalabhavan-navas-found-dead/article69884575.ece |archive-date=4 August 2025 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Films===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1992 ||''Mr and Mrs'' || Newspaper Boy || (Debut cameo)
|-
|1993 ||''[[Venkalam]]'' || || Cameo
|-
| rowspan=5 | 1995 || ''Chaithanyam'' || || playback singer
|-
|| ''[[Ezharakoottam]]'' || ||
|-
|| ''[[Mimics Action 500]]'' || Babykutty ||
|-
|| ''[[Kalamasseriyil Kalyanayogam]]'' || Navas ||
|-
|| ''[[Kidilol Kidilam]]'' || Krishnankutty ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 1996 || ''Mimics Super 1000'' || ||
|-
|| ''Ishtamanu Nooruvattom'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 1997 || ''[[Hitler Brothers]]'' || Thankappan ||
|-
|| ''Siamese Irattakal'' || ||
|-
|| ''[[Junior Mandrake]]'' || Sandeep Nambiar ||
|-
| rowspan=5 | 1998 || ''Mayajalam'' || Pappan ||
|-
|| ''[[Amma Ammaayiyamma]]'' ||Sharath ||
|-
|| ''[[Meenakshi Kalyanam]]'' || Unnikrishnan ||
|-
|| ''[[Mattupetti Machan]]'' || Unnikrishnan ||
|-
|| ''Aagosham'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 1999 || ''[[Chandamama (1999 film)|Chandamama]]'' || Pullepadi Monayi ||
|-
|| ''[[My Dear Karadi]]'' || Appukuttan ||
|-
|| ''Auto Brothers'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 2001 || ''[[One Man Show (film)|One Man Show]]'' || Shajahan ||
|-
|| ''House Owner''|| ||
|-
|| ''[[Korappan The Great]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2002 || ''Neelakasham Niraye'' || ||
|-
|| ''Desam'' || ||
|-
| 2003 || ''[[Thillana Thillana]]'' || Govindan ||
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Vettam]]'' || Prince ||
|-
| 2005 || ''Thamburankunnu'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2006 || ''[[Chakkara Muthu]]'' || Santhosh ||
|-
|| ''Anuvadhamillathe'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2009 || ''[[Chattambinadu]]'' || Manikandan||
|-
|| ''[[Boomi Malayalam]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 2010 || ''[[Senior Mandrake]]'' || Sandeep Nambiar ||
|-
|| ''[[Valiyangadi (film)|Valiyangadi]]'' || Pariyakutty ||
|-
|| ''[[Kaaryasthan]]'' || Himself || Cameo
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Veeraputhran]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2012 || ''[[Cobra (2012 film)|Cobra]]'' || ||Also Playback Singer
|-
|| ''[[Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty]]'' || Gymman ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2013 || ''[[ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi (2013 film)|ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi]]'' || Saji ||
|-
|| ''The Factory'' || || Single Character Film
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu]]'' || Khadar ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 2015 || ''[[John Honai]]'' || Jaffer ||
|-
|| ''[[Ormakalil Oru Manjukaalam]]'' || ||
|-
|| ''3 Wicketinu 365 Runs'' || ||
|-
| 2016 || ''Iyer in Pakistan'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2017 || ''Pretham Undu Sookshikkuka'' || ||
|-
|| ''[[Achayans]]'' || Fr. Jose Kireekadan's Assistant ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2018 || ''Priyapettavar'' || ||
|-
|| ''Prashnaparihara Shala'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=4 | 2019 || ''Thanka Bhasma Kuriyitta Thamburatti'' || SI Rajan ||
|-
|| ''Visudha Pusthakam'' || ||
|-
|| ''[[Mera Naam Shaji]]'' || Marunnu Johny ||
|-
|| ''[[Driving License (film)|Driving License]]'' || Menon || <ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.msidb.org/movies.php?tag=Search&actor=Kalabhavan%20Navas&limit=9&alimit=4&sortorder=3&sorttype=1|title=Kalabhavan Navas Filmography}}</ref>
|-
| 2021 || ''Louis'' || ||
|-
|rowspan=3|2023 || ''Vanita'' || ||
|-
| [[A Ranjith Cinema]]||Yousaf||
|-
|| ''KrishnaKripa Sagaram'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 2024 || ''Aaro'' || ||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=25 April 2024 |title=Joju George and Anumol's Aaro gets a release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Apr/25/joju-george-and-anumols-aaro-gets-a-release-date |access-date=25 April 2024 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam]]'' || Rajeev|| <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/malayalam/movies/oru-anweshanathinte-thudakkam-movie-getting-good-response-running-successfully-in-theatres-212421|title=Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam: ത്രില്ലടിപ്പിച്ച അന്വേഷണം, മികവ് പുലർത്തി अभिनേതാക്കളും; ഗംഭീര പ്രതികരണം നേടി 'ഒരു അന്വേഷണത്തിന്റെ തുടക്കം'|date=9 November 2024|website=Zee News Malayalam}}</ref>
|-
|| ''Izha'' || Shoukath||
|-
|rowspan=3| 2025 || ''[[Detective Ujjwalan]]'' || Ashokan||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mullappilly |first=Sreejith |date=14 April 2025 |title=Dhyan Sreenivasan's Detective Ujjwalan gets release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Apr/14/dhyan-sreenivasans-detective-ujjwalan-gets-release-date |access-date=16 April 2025 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| ''Tikki Taka'' || Philip || Posthumous release
|-
| ''[[Prakambanam]]'' || || Posthumous release
|}

===Television===
;As Host
*''[[Badai Bungalow]]''
*''Rani Maharani''
;As Judge
*''Comedy Masters''
*''Comedy Stars Season 2''
*''Thakarppan Comedy ''
*''Oru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumber Chiri Season 2 ''

;Himself as Guest
*''Cinema Chirima''
*''[[Onnum Onnum Moonu]]''
*''Manam Pole Mangalyam''
*''Komedy Circus''
*''Star Ragging''
*''Idavelayil''
;TV serials
*''Veedu''
*''Bhagyanakshatram''

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|1335091}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Navas, Kalabhavan}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:2025 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Kerala]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Indian male singers]]
[[Category:Indian male comedians]]
[[Category:Date of birth missing]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:People from Thrissur]]
[[Category:Male actors from Thrissur]]

Kalabhavan Navas - Revision history

Souravroyjournalist at 18:22, 10 February 2026