Jaffer Idukki opens up about the turmoil he faced following Kalabhavan Mani's death

Jaffer Idukki, a seasoned

actor

who has toiled his way into the industry through mimicry and stage shows, has opened up in an interview about the turmoil he has gone through, following the demise of his close friend Kalabhavan Mani. Idukki's name was in the news following Mani's death at his outhouse Padi. Jaffer visited Mani at Padi few days before his death, prompting news that portrayed him as a suspect, thus allegedly affecting the actor's career.

Jaffer, in the interview, said that directors hesitated to cast him thinking that he will have to tend to legal battles in court. It became a talk in cinema sets, said the actor, adding that he was forced to withdraw from the industry for around a year. He also recalled how he withdrew from the Mammootty movie 'Thoppil Joppan' even after his look tests. The actor says he got carried away by emotions that forced him to stay away from acting.

Jaffer says that his friendship with Mani doesn't matter as long the ongoing investigation by CBI proves him innocent.

Jaffer thanked director Nadirsha for motivating him and giving him a chance in '

Kattapanayile Hrithwik Roshan

', through which he made a return to

Malayalam

cinema.