Malayalam actor Jishnu dies of cancer

Young Malayalam film star Jishnu died yesterday after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was 35. Jishnu is survived by his father, actor Raghavan, mother Shobha and wife Dhanya.An alumnus of the National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC), Jishnu debuted in a leading role in the 2002 Malayalam blockbuster Nammal. He had also acted in his father’s 1987 film Kilippattu as a child artiste.Jishnu was diagnosed with throat and lung cancer two years ago, and it was initially cured. He returned to the tinsel world with the Hindi version of the Malayalam hit Traffic, directed by Rajesh Pillai, who also died at 41 last month.After Jishnu’s cancer relapsed last year he was admitted to Kochi hospital and was active on Facebook, interacting with his fans from his hospital bed.In a Facebook post dated March 8, the actor writes: “Being positive and always smiling makes a lot of difference.” Another entry reads: “I’m in ICU now, nothing to worry. This is my second home now. I have fun here. I was sleeping when my doctor came. I woke up as soon as he came and gave him a bright smile. He said it is so good to see a smiling patient. It gives him energy.”“I started smiling at every situation now, especially with nurses who take care of me. Trust me it makes a lot of difference. They do a tough job of treating pain and in ICU things are worse, but by smiling and being jovial creates such a good atmosphere that everything just gets better. It’s magic. Smile is magic. Try it. Everyone knows but somehow we forget. Too much of advice, but what I’m sharing is my experience.”Several stars, including Mammootty, Jayaram, Dulquar Salman, Nivin Pauly, Siddique, Jagadish, Fahadh Faasil, Indrajith and Siddarth, and directors Kamal, Renjith and Renji Panicker reached the hospital as soon as the news of Jishnu’s death spread.“He was always positive about life. I have never seen him in a sad mood, even in the hospital when he was not able to speak and communicated by writing,” said Kamal, the director of Nammal.“I can’t believe this. It’s unfair,” said Bhavana, his heroine in Nammal.Jishnu has 21 films to his credit, including blockbusters like Nerariyan CBI, Ordinary, Chakkaramuthu, Nidra, Ustad Hotel and Rebecca Uthup Kizhakemala.“He treated all from co-stars to light-boys with respect,” recalled actor Jagadish.Innocent, president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors and a lawmaker, who was also under treatment for cancer at the hospital, said, “When I last met him there, he was trying to console me.”Born at Taliparamba in the northern district of Kannur, Jishnu moved to the state capital along with his father, a yesteryear star who is still active, acting mostly in television soaps, and rest of the family.His mortal remains were cremated at the Ravipuram Crematorium in the city in the evening.Chief Minister Oommen Chandy also paid condolences.