Cochin Haneefa, born as Salim Ahmed Ghoush on April 22, 1951, was an actor highly respected in the South Indian film industry. He kept his name Haneefa based on a character he played in a drama.

His debut in films happened through ‘Ashtavakran’, released in 1979. Though a minor role, his acting was highly appreciated and his presence noted. From then on, it was the beginning of the success journey of an actor par excellence.

A villain, comedian, character actor - he has done it all and that too with elan. And this is excatly what makes him different from the rest of the lot.

He has also revealed his prowess as a director and screenplay writer. He has also won the second Best Actor award for his performance in the Malayalam film, ‘Soothradharan’.

As an actor, he became popular through movies like Mamangam (1979), Aavesham (1979), Thaalam Thettiya Tharattu (1983), Attakkalasam (1983), Thalavattom ( 1986), Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu (1988), Kireedom (1989), Devasuram (1993), Kalapani (1996), Punjabi House (1998), Kanmadam (1998), Megham (1999), Friends (1999), Dada Sahib (2000), Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka (2001), Meesa Madhavan (2002), Swapnakkoodu (2003), CI Mahadevan 5 Adi 4 Inchu (2004), Udayananu Tharam (2005), Rajamanikyam (2005), Ananthabhadram (2005), Keerthi Chakra (2006), Chotta Mumbai (2007), Twenty 20 (2008)…

He is also a favourite among the Tamil cine enthusiasts with films like Mahanadi (1993), Mudhalvan (1999), Lesa Lesa (2002), Parthipan Kanavu (2003), Anniyan (2005), Kasthuriman (2005), Deepavali (2007), Kireedam (2007), Aegan (2008), Vettaikaran (2009).

His contributions as a film maker include notable films in Malayalam including Bheeshmacharya (1994), Vatsalyam (1993), Veena Meettiya Vilangukal (1990), Aankiliyude Tharattu (1987), Oru Sindoora Pottinte Ormaykku (1987), Moonnu Masangalkku Munpu (1986), Oru Sandesam Koodi (1985) and Tamil movies such as Pasa Paravaigal (1988), Padatha Theneekkal (1988), Pasa Mazhai (1989), Pagalil Pournami (1990), Pillai Pasam (1991) and Vasaliley Oru Vennila (1991).

His contributions as a screenplay writer were also immense as is proved by the films, Bheesmacharya (1994), Kadathanadan Ambadi, Puthiya Karukkal (1989), Lal Americayil (1989) and Inakkilly (1984). No wonder, his loss will be mourned deeply and will create a void that perhaps, can never be filled.