RIP Nedumudi Venu

Versatile Malayalam film actor Nedumudi Venu passed away earlier today. He died on 11 October 2021, at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram due to post-COVID-19 complications. He was also battling stomach-related ailments for the past few months. He was aged 73.

Kesavan Venugopal (22 May 1948 – 11 October 2021), known popularly by his stage name Nedumudi Venu, was an Indian film actor from Kerala, who predominantly worked in the Malayalam Cinema. He acted in more than 500 films, primarily in Malayalam and also in Tamil. He wrote screenplays and directed one film. He won three National Film Awards and six Kerala State Film Awards for his various performances.

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. His acting skills were showcased in the Bharathan film Aaravam. Padmarajan’s Oridathoru Phayalwan and Kallan Pavithran set a milestone for him. It marked his start in Karanavar (head of the family) roles, which included most of his memorable performances.

Venu wrote scripts for movies. He wrote the stories for the films Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Theertham, Sruthi, Ambada Njaane!, Oru Katha Oru Nunnakkatha, Savidham and Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu. He also tried his hand in direction with Pooram. He acted in a few Tamil films with director Shankar, such as Kamal Hasan’s Indian and Vikram’s Anniyan.