Popular Malayalam and Tamil Film Actor Cochin Haneefa died at a private hospital in Chennai this afternoon following an ailment. He was 51.<br/><br/>Haneefa was also a screen play writer and director. Starting his career in the 1970’s as a villain, Haneefa went on to become be one of most the popular comedians in Malayalam cinema . He had worked in more than 300 films in Malayalam and Tamil. <br/><br/>Vatsalyam in Malayalam directed by Haneefa was one of the biggest hits in kerala. Among his hit films in tamil are Mahanadi, Mudhalvan and Anniyan and the latest box office hit Vettaikaran.