Crossbelt Mani

K. Velayudhan Nair, better known by his stage name Crossbelt Mani (22 April 1935 – 30 October 2021), was an Indian film director and cinematographer, who worked in the Malayalam cinema.^[1][2][3] He directed more than 40 Malayalam movies and worked as a cinematographer for ten movies.^[4] He became popular with his second movie Cross Belt in 1970 and adopted Crossbelt to his name.^[5][6] Veteran director Joshiy worked as an assistant director under him.

Crossbelt Mani
Born	K. Velayudhan Nair (1935-04-22)22 April 1935 Thiruvananthapuram, Kingdom of Travancore, British India (present day Kerala, India)
Died	30 October 2021(2021-10-30) (aged 86) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupations	Film director Cinematographer
Years active	1968 – 1990
Spouse	Sreemathiyamma
Children	2
Parents	Krishna Pillai Kamalamma

Personal life

Velayudhan Nair with the stage name Crossbelt Mani hailed from Thiruvananthapuram.^[7] He was born to Valiyashalayil Madhavivilasathu Krishna Pillai and Kamalamma on 22 April 1935. He was married to Iranayil Bhagavathimandirathu Sreemathiyamma. They had a son, Krishnakumar, and a daughter, Roopa.^[8][9]

Mani died on 30 October 2021, at the age of 86 at his home in Thiruvananthapuram.^[10] He was suffering from various illnesses associated with old age at the time of his death.

Filmography

Direction

• Midumidukki (1968)
• Cross Belt (1970)
• Manushyabandhangal (1972)
• Puthrakameshti (1972)
• Naadan Premam (1972)
• Shakthi (1972)
• Kaapaalika (1973)
• Nadeenadanmaare Aavasyamundu (1974)
• Velicham Akale (1975)
• Penpada (1975)
• Kuttichaathan (1975)
• Thaamarathoni (1975)
• Chottaanikkara Amma (1976)
• Yudhabhoomi (1976)
• Neethipeedham (1977)
• Penpuli (1977)
• Pattaalam Janaki (1977)
• Aanayum Ambaariyum (1978)
• Black Belt (1978)
• Pancharathnam (1979)
• Youvanam Daaham (1980)
• Eettappuli (1983)
• Thimingalam (1983)
• Bullet (1984)
• Chorakku Chora (1985)
• Black Mail (1985)
• Revenge (1985)
• Ottayan (1985)
• Kulambadikal (1986)
• Pensimham (1986)
• Urukkumanushyan (1986)
• Naaradan Keralathil (1987)
• Devadas (1989)
• Commander (1990)

Cinematography

• Bullet (1984)
• Chorakku Chora (1985)
• Black Mail (1985)
• Revenge (1985)
• Ottayan (1985)
• Kulambadikal (1986)
• Urukkumanushyan (1986)
• Naaradan Keralathil (1987)
• Commander (1990)