Veteran Mollywood director Vinayan who had been instrumental in making Kalabhavan Mani a big star is busy directing a film inspired by the life of the late actor. Titled 'Chalakudykkaran Changathi', the film is not exactly a biopic of Mani, but takes inspiration from the way Mani prevailed against all odds to succeed in life. The first look poster of the movie has been released online and it reminds us of the late actor in every inch. 

Debutant Raja Mani stars in the title role of the movie which also features Salim Kumar, Joju George, Joy Mathew, Sunil Sugatha, and Ramesh Pisharody in other key roles. Vinayan collaborated with Kalabhavan Mani for Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum (1999) and several other critically acclaimed films. The actor also went on to win the Special Jury Award in 2000 for Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum and the Kerala State Film Award for his role in the same film in 1999. The multi-faceted actor died on March 6, 2016, aged 45. Relatives of the actor alleged that he had been poisoned to death.