K. Velayudhan Nair, better known by his stage nameCrossbelt 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.
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.