Rest in Peace, Unnikuttan: Remembering the Innocent Face of ‘Rasikan’ Star Hari Murali!
The Malayalam film industry is in shock following the
untimely demise of Hari Murali, a former child artist who won hearts
across Kerala in the early 2000s. The 27-year-old was reportedly found dead at
his residence in Annoor, Payyannur, on the morning of Thursday, March
12, 2026.
Police have described the case as a suspected suicide, as he
was discovered hanging in his bedroom. His body was shifted to a private
hospital in Payyannur before being moved to the morgue at Baby Memorial
Hospital for further procedures.
A Childhood Star: From 'Rasikan' to 'Annan Thambi'
Hari Murali began his journey in front of the camera at the
age of four, debuting in a television serial directed by A.M. Naseer.
However, it was his entry into Malayalam cinema that made him a household name.
- The
Breakthrough: He rose to fame with the 2004 film Rasikan,
directed by Lal Jose and starring Dileep. Despite having a brief role, his
innocent dialogue delivery and comic timing became iconic, with fans
affectionately calling him "Unnikuttan."
- Success
as a Child Artist: Over his childhood career, he appeared in
approximately 10 to 15 notable films, including:
- Annan
Thambi (with Mammootty)
- Pattanathil
Bhootham
- Madampi
(with Mohanlal)
- Don
- To
Harihar Nagar
- Ulagam
Chuttum Valiban
Return to the Screen and Career Shift
After a hiatus to focus on his education, Hari made a brief
return to the big screen in the 2015 hit Amar Akbar Anthony,
where he played the younger brother of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s character.
In recent years, he transitioned behind the camera. After
completing a BSc in Visual Effects and Animation in Bengaluru, he worked
as a VFX artist at firms in Kochi and Ernakulam, contributing his
technical expertise to the very industry he started in as a child.
A Family Rooted in Arts
Hari Murali came from a family deeply involved in the Kerala
cultural scene.
- Father:
He was the son of the renowned theatre and film actor K.A. Murali
(popularly known as Payyannur Murali), who has been a staple in the
theatre world for over three decades.
- Siblings:
He is survived by his brother, Sree Murali, who is also an actor.
- Notable
Relatives: He was a relative of Manjummel Boys actor Ganapathi
S. Poduval and actor Babu Annoor.
Industry Mourns the Loss
The news has triggered an outpouring of grief from the
Malayalam fraternity. Veteran actress Seema G. Nair, who had worked with
him, shared a heartbreaking tribute, expressing disbelief at the loss of the
"talented Appoos."
"Why did you do this? How will your parents bear this
pain? My heart feels shattered," she shared in an emotional social media
post.
|
Fact File |
Details |
|
Age |
27 years |
|
Date of Death |
March 12, 2026 |
|
Location |
Annoor, Payyannur, Kerala |
|
Debut Film |
Rasikan (2004) |
|
Profession |
Actor and VFX Artist |
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