Kochi: Jishnu Raghavan Alingkil, a Malayalam film actor who has been battling cancer for the past two years, died on March 25. He would have turned 35 on April 23.
The end came at a private hospital in Kochi, Kerala’s commercial capital, as the world observed Christ’s death on the cross.
Jishnu as he was fondly called was detected with cancer for the first time two years ago. He was completely cured of the diseases. However, he had a relapse last year.
He had discovered smile as the best way to change a dismal situation into something pleasant.
Jishnu had appeared as a child artist in the movie ‘Kilipatt’ (song of bird) in 1987. He made his film debut in ‘Nammal’ (we).
He was very active on social media, where he often used to post positive messages amidst battling the disease, reports The Times of India.
On March 8, Jishnu wrote an inspiring message on his Facebook page, highlighting his zest for life and passion for living, despite his daily battle with his health.
His message read, “Being positive and always smiling makes a lot of difference. I’m in ICU now, nothing to worry this is kind of my second home now. I have fun here. I started smiling at every situation now especially the nurses who take care of me. Trust me it made a lot of difference. They do a tough job of treating pain and in ICU things r 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.”
Jishnu’s performance in “Nammal” earned him the Mathrubhumi Award and Kerala Film Critics Award for the Best Male Debut. He followed it with leading roles in Choonda (angle-hook), Freedom, Parayam (will tell you) and supporting part in Nerariyan CBI (CBI to know the truth), Pauran (citizen) and Chakkara Muthu (sweet heart).
Following through with some unnoticed movies he took a break from the film Industry to work for developing information technology in the rural areas. Then he returned to filmdom through the super-hit film Ordinary following which he did Nidra (sleep), Ustad Hotel, Banking Hours 10 to 4, Annum Innum Ennum(then, now and always) and Rebbecca Uthup Kizhakemala.
Jishnu was born in Kannur to Malayalam film actor Raghavan and Sobha. Jishnu’s directed Kilipatt, which was selected for the Indian Panorama.
He did most of his schooling in Chennai. He also studied in Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Trivandrum. Jishnu had achieved best student award in his school days and joined National Instittue of Technology Calicut to do his B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering.
He was married to Dhanya Rajan.