Early Life and Career
Haneefa was born in Kochi to Kochi Velthedathu Tharavattil A.B. Muhammed and Hajira. He studied at Kochi St. Augustine's School and St. Albert's College and graduated with a degree in Botany.
He was a member of the famed comedy troupe Cochin Kalabhavan, whose members included Jayaram, Kalabhavan Mani, Harisree Ashokan, Salim Kumar, and Bindhu Panicker. He made his film debut in 1972 in Azhimukham directed by Vijayan and went on to act in over 300 films in Malayalam. He also acted in over 80 Tamil films, including popular movies like Mahanadi with Kamal Haasan, Sivaji and Enthiran with Rajinikanth.
Haneefa played memorable roles in many Malayalam films, including Valtsalyam, Mannar Mathai Speaking, Devaasuram, Kireedam, Punjabi House and Swapnakoodu, C.I. Mahadevan 5 Adi 4 Inchu. He also directed around 20 films, including Valsalyam and Moonu Masangalkku Munbu. The last Tamil films in which he appeared were Madrasapattinam and Enthiran. His final Malayalam film was the 2010 film Bodyguard.
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