Malayalam actor Rizabawa passed away on Monday afternoon while undergoing treatment for renal diseases at a hospital in Cochin. He was 54.

Rizabawa was known for playing antagonist roles on-screen and acted in over 120 movies. On learning about the actor’s demise, several actors like Prithviraj, Jayasurya and others took to social media to offer condolences.

On a Facebook post, Dulquer Salmaan said, “No matter which role he took up, he always made it memorable. My heartfelt condolences to the family of Rizabawa ikka [bro].”

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Meanwhile, fans are equally in shock at the sudden demise of ‘one of the most memorable villains’.

One of the Twitter users wrote, “Great childhood memories of watching #Rizabawa in #InHariharNagar.” The other fan writes, “No more John Honai…”

Rizabawa, who rose to fame with his second film Harihar Nagar, is known for his roles in films like Irikku MD Akathundu, Vakkeel Vasudev, Thiruthalvaadi, and Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji. 

Meanwhile, Rizabawa had kept himself away from the film industry and was totally focused more on TV shows. His last work on big screen was in Mammootty and Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer Pokkiri Raja. 

Best known for his role as John Honai in the Malayalam film ‘In Harihar Nagar’, Rizabawa moved to the small-screen industry in the past 10 years.

In 2018, Rizabawa hit the headlines after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him by the Ernakulam District Magistrate court in a cheque bouncing case.