Nedumudi Venu

Kesavan Venugopal (22 May 1948 – 11 October 2021), better known by his stage name Nedumudi Venu, was an Indian actor and screenwriter from Kerala, who predominantly worked in Malayalam cinema. He acted in more than 500 films, primarily in Malayalam and also in Tamil, in a career spanning nearly five decades. He wrote screenplays and directed one film. Nedumudi Venu won three National Film Awards, three Filmfare Award South and six Kerala State Film Awards for his performances in various movies.

Early life Venu was born as K. Venugopal at Nedumudi in the Alappuzha district of Kerala to P. K. Kesava Pillai, a schoolmaster, and P. Kunjikkuttiyamma, on 22 May 1948. He was the youngest of five sons born to his parents.

Venu studied at Nair Samajam School in Nedumudi and at St. Mary's School in Champakulam. He then did his B.A. in Malayalam at Sanatana Dharma College, Alappuzha. After graduation, he worked briefly as a journalist at the Kalakaumudi magazine and taught at a tutorial college before moving into theater and movies.

Venu was married to Susheela in 1982. The couple has two sons: Unni and Kannan. From left Nedumudi Venu, Innocent, Mohanlal and Mukesh, on the main stage of the general body meeting of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists.

Death Venu died at KIMS Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on 11 October 2021, at the age of 73. He was receiving treatment for liver cancer prior to his death and died from COVID-19 complications. He also had diabetes, which complicated his condition. He was cremated with full state honours at Santhikavadam Crematorium in Thiruvananthapuram on 12 October 2021.

Filmography

Awards

National Film Awards 1990 – Best Supporting Actor – His Highness Abdullah 2003 – Special Mention – Margam 2006 – National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Narration / Voice Over – Minukku

Kerala State Film Awards 1980 – Second Best Actor – Chamaram 1981 – Best Actor – Vida Parayum Munpe 1986 - Second Best Actor - Thalavattam 1987 – Best Actor – Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam 1990 – Special Jury Award – Bharatham, Santhwanam 1994 – Second Best Actor – Thenmavin Kombath 2003 – Best Actor – Margam

Kerala State Television Awards 2001 - Best Actor : Avasthatarangal

Asianet Film Awards 2005 – Best Supporting Actor Award – Thanmatra 2007 – Best Script Writer Award – Thaniye 2011 – Best Supporting Actor – Best Actor, Elsamma Enna Aankutty 2013 – Best Character Actor – North 24 Kaatham 2015 – Best Villain – Oru Second Class Yathra, Rudra Simhasanam 2017 – Asianet Film Award for Lifetime Achievement

Vanitha Film Awards 2015 – Best Actor In A Negative Role – Oru Second Class Yatra

Filmfare Awards 1981 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam – Vida Parayum Munpe 1987 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam -Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam 1997 – Lifetime Achievement Award

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards 2007 – Second Best Actor – Thaniye 2007 – Lifetime Achievement Award/Prathibha Puraskaram

Other awards 2003 – Best Actor Award won in Television Gallup Poll conducted by University of Kerala union for Ragardram (Doordarshan) 2006 – Sathyan Award 2006 – Kalavedi International Prathibha Award was presented at Tagore Theatre, Trivandrum in 2006. 2007 – Bahadoor Award 2008 – Kala Ratnam Award of KALA Abu Dhabi 2011 – Serve India Media Award 2015 – Vanitha Film Award for Best Villain for Oru Second Class Yathra and Rudra Simhasanam 2007 – Saira – Best Actor award at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival