Popular director actor Cochin Haneefa who was hospitalized at Ramachandra Hospital in Chennai for a liver problem after he had a massive heart attack this morning has died. He is 59.

Starting his career in negative roles in Malayalam films of the 70s Cochin Haneefa went on to become one the most popular comedians in Malayalam cinema. He has over 300 films to his credit in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi languages.

His role in ‘Mahanadhi’ with Kamal Haasan is one of the prominent roles he played in Tamil.

Cochin Haneefa is also and director who directed Paasa Paravaigal, Paadatha Thenikkal, Paasa Mazhai, Pagalil Pournami, Pillai Pasam and Vasaliley Oru Vennila films in Tamil.