Kalabhavan Mani was born as the sixth among seven children to Chenathunad Kunnisseri Veettil Raman and Ammini in Chalakudy Thrissur District, Kerala State on New Year's Day in 1971.He started his career as a mimicry artist with the drama group Cochin Kalabhavan.[6] He started his acting career in the Malayalam film Aksharam as an auto rickshaw driver.He got his first major breakthrough in Sallapam (1996). Since then, he has acted in several movies as a comedian. His first leading role was in the film Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum. His first music album was (Thushima Guntharo)Kannimanga Prayathil. He has since established a parallel industry of folk songs (nadan pattu) selling a record number of releases. He has also released a few religious songs and Mappila Pattukal. Mani started his career portraying comic roles in Malayalam films which later shifted to character and villain roles. He was cast as the protagonist in movies like Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum etc