- published: 02 Feb 2010
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Salim Ahmed Ghoush (22 April 1951 – 2 February 2010), better known by his stage name Cochin Haneefa, was an Indian film actor, director, and screenwriter. He started his career in the 1970s mainly portraying villainous roles, before going on to become one of the most popular comedians of Malayalam cinema. He has acted in more than 300 films in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi.
As a director he is best known for the films Aankiliyude Tharattu (1987) and Valtsalyam (1993).
Haneefa was born in Kochi to Kochi Velthedathu Tharavattil A.B. Muhammed and Hajira. He studied at Kochi St. Augustine's School and St. Albert's College and graduated with a degree in Botany. He was married to Fasila. The couple have twins, Safa and Marva.
He was a member of the famed comedy troupe Cochin Kalabhavan, whose members included Jayaram, Kalabhavan Mani, Harisree Ashokan, Salim Kumar, and Bindhu Panicker. He made his film debut in 1972 in Azhimukham directed by Vijayan and went on to act in over 300 films in Malayalam. He also acted in over 80 Tamil films, including popular movies like Mahanadi with Kamal Haasan,Sivaji and Enthiran with Rajinikanth.
Harisree Ashokan (born 6 April 1964) is a Malayalam film actor who is known for his comedy roles. He has acted in more than 100 Malayalam films. He started his career as a mimicry artist in Harisree and then worked in Kalabhavan,Kochi
Ashokan is born as Babu as the second children amond ten children to Kunjappan and Janaki on April 6, 1964 at Anjoor, Thrissur. He has nine siblings. He had his primary education from MIHS Ernakulam. After tenth he joined Kuyilin's Cochin Kalavedi. He holds a diploma in Telecom Engineering from Anjoor, Kerala. He found work as an assistant lineman in 1984 with the Telecom Department in Cochin, Kerala. He worked until 1987, when he rose to become a lineman. While working there he joined Kalabhavan and worked for 6 years and later moved to Harisree. His elder brother was also a telecom officer.
Asokan was always interested in acting and was an amateur theatre actor. His style of comedy was watched by the Malayalam movie director Siddique during an event. Siddique was impressed and cast him in his second movie, Ramji Rao Speaking.