nedumudi venu
Nedumudi Venu, is a Malayalam Cinema actor. Regarded as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema of all time has acted in more than 500 films, He has also written screenplays and has directed one film. He has won two Indian National Film Awards and six Kerala State Film Awards for his various performances. He is also a talented Mridangam player.
nedumudi venu
Venu started his career in theater and went on to act in films. He was a member of Kavalam Narayana Panicker's dramas. He debuted in the film Thambu (1978), by director G Aravindan.. .
nedumudi venu
.He wrote the stories for the films Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Theertham, Sruthi, Ambada Njaane!, Oru Katha Oru Nunnakkatha, Savidham and Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu.. .... .
nedumudi venu
National Film Awards 1990 � Best Supporting Actor � His Highness Abdullah 2003 � Special Jury Award � Margam 2006 � National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Narration / Voice Over � Minukku . . .
nedumudi venu
Kerala State Film Awards
1980 - Second Best Actor -Chamaram
1981 - Best Actor - Vidaparayum Munpe
1987 - Best Actor - Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
1990 -Special Jury Award - Bharatham, Santhwanam
1994 -Second Best Actor - Thenmavin Kombath
2003 - Best Actor - Margam .
Born on 22 May 1948 in Nedumudi, Alappuzha, K. Venugopal, who later became world-famous as Nedumudi Venu, remains one of the greatest actors Malayalam cinema has ever produced.
He was the youngest of five sons born to school teachers P.K. Kesava Pillai and P. Kunjikkutty Amma.
After completing his early education at Nedumudi N.S. School and Champakulam St. Mary's School, he graduated in Malayalam Literature from S.D. College, Alappuzha.
Even as a student, Venu displayed exceptional artistic talent, winning numerous prizes at school youth festivals for Ghatam (percussion) performance and group singing.
One of the greatest compliments he ever received came from legendary South Indian actor Sivaji Ganesan, who, after witnessing Venu's performance, remarked:
"He is not merely Nedumudi; he is the (kodumudi )pinnacle of acting."
Similarly, veteran actress Sharada, after watching Venu's performance in Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam, said that although she had wished to remake the film in Tamil or Telugu, she abandoned the idea because she could not think of any actor in those languages capable of replacing Nedumudi Venu.
Even the iconic actor Kamal Haasan once told him:
"You have done everything possible in Malayalam cinema. Now come to Tamil cinema. If necessary, I'll even become your secretary."
Such praise speaks volumes about his extraordinary talent.
While studying at S.D. College, Venu became close friends with Fazil, who would later become one of Malayalam cinema's most successful directors. Together, they took their first steps into the world of arts.
Before entering films, Venu worked as a journalist for Kalakaumudi magazine and later as a lecturer at a parallel college in Alappuzha.
Interestingly, cinema was never his primary ambition. He was already highly accomplished in folk music, traditional theatre, Kathakali, and the mridangam, and never considered cinema superior to these classical art forms.
His performances in Kavalam Narayana Panicker's celebrated plays such as Daivathar and Avanavan Kadamba established him as an outstanding stage actor.
Acclaimed filmmakers like G. Aravindan, Padmarajan, and John Abraham were frequent visitors to Kavalam's theatre workshops. It was through this artistic circle that Venu entered cinema.
He made his film debut in G. Aravindan's Thampu.
He later reached new heights through films such as Bharathan's Aaravam, Thakara, and Chamaram, and Padmarajan's Oridathoru Phayalvaan and Kallan Pavithran, showcasing an entirely new style of natural acting.
Over a career spanning more than four decades, Nedumudi Venu appeared in over 500 films, delivering unforgettable performances in classics including:
Parankimala
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi
Achuvettante Veedu
Vida Parayum Munpe
Yavanika
Panchavadi Palam
Rachana
Sagaram Santham
Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
Margam
Premageethangal
Aalolam
His Highness Abdullah
Bharatham
Thalavattam
Chithram
Vandanam
Thenmavin Kombath
Best Actor
North 24 Kaatham
In addition to Malayalam films, he also acted in several Tamil films, the English-language film Chaurahen, and two Sanskrit films.
Contributions Beyond Acting
Nedumudi Venu was not just an actor but also an accomplished writer and filmmaker.
He wrote stories for films including:
Kaattathe Kilikkoodu
Theertham
Shruthi
Ambada Njaane
Oru Kadha Nunakkadha
Savidham
Oru Kadankatha Pole
Pandu Pandoru Rajakumari
Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu
He also wrote screenplays for:
Kaveri
Thaniye
Rasam
He wrote and directed the film Pooram.
For Doordarshan, he directed the television serial Kairali Vilasam Lodge, regarded as one of the earliest and most memorable Malayalam television serials.
He also appeared in around ten television serials, with Jwalayaayi remaining particularly memorable among Doordarshan viewers.
Awards and Honours
His extraordinary acting earned him numerous prestigious awards, including:
National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor (1990)
Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor (1981, 2003)
Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor (1980, 1986, 1994)
Special Mention by the National Film Awards Jury (2003)
Along with these, he received many other honours throughout his distinguished career.
Personal Life
Nedumudi Venu married his relative and fellow native Suseela, whom he had fallen in love with.
Suseela, who worked at the Kerala State Warehousing Corporation, resigned from her job after their marriage.
They had two sons, Unni and Kannan.
Favourite Films
Among the many films loved by audiences are:
Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkkam
Poochakkaru Mani Kettum
Pavithram
Thilakkam
Mr. Brahmachari
Thalavattam
Chakkikotha Chankaran
Odaruthammava Aalariyam
Ishtam
Appu
Chithram
Vandanam
Dr. Pasupathy
Uncle Bun
Manichitrathazhu
Alancheri Thambrakkal
Chandralekha
Oru Maravathoor Kanavu
English Medium
Pokkiri Raja
Balettan
The list of memorable performances is virtually endless.
A Lasting Legacy
Nedumudi Venu earned a unique and irreplaceable place in the history of Malayalam cinema.
His effortless, natural acting style and his remarkable ability to understand and embody the soul of every character made him one of the most beloved actors of all time.
Whether portraying humour, emotion, dignity, or tragedy, he brought every role to life with extraordinary authenticity.
Beyond acting, he was deeply interested in music and literature, making invaluable contributions to Kerala's cultural heritage.
On 11 October 2021, Nedumudi Venu passed away at KIMS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy.
Even today, he lives on in the hearts of Malayalis through the countless unforgettable characters he portrayed.
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