Nedumudi Venu
Kesavan Venu Gopal, known popularly by his stage name Nedumudi Venu, was an Indian actor, writer and director. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema. Venu was born as Venugopal to P. K. Kesavan Nair-a school master- and P. Kunjikkuttiyamma in Nedumudi, Alappuzha as the youngest of their five children. He has four elder brothers. He had his primary education from N S S Higher Secondary School, Nedumudi, and St. Mary's Higher Secondary School,Champakulam. He was involved in art and music since his academic period. After graduating from Sanatana Dharma College, Alappuzha, he worked as a journalist in Kalakaumudi and as a teacher in a tutorial institute. Venu was living in Thiruvananthapuram when he made friends with the likes of Aravindan, Padmarajan, and Bharath Gopi. This ultimately paved way for his film career. He is a talented Mridangam player. 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 also wrote scripts for movies. He wrote the stories for the films Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Theertham, Sruthi, Ambada Njane, Oru Katha Oru Nunnakkatha, Savidham, and Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu. He also tried his hand in direction with Pooram. He has also acted in a few Tamil films with director Shankar, such as Kamal Hasan's Indian and Vikram's Anniyan. Venu has also acted in some television serials. He acted in NFDC film Parinamam (The Change), directed by P. Venu that won the best screenplay award at the Ashdod International Film Festival held in Israel. He won the Best Actor award for his role in Saira at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival which concluded in September 2007; Saira was the only film from India to be included in the festival. The committee mentioned that he acted compellingly and convincingly in his portrayal of a man caught between secularism and fundamentalism.
Filmography
Indian 2: Zero Tolerance
as Krishnasamy
Indian 2: Zero Tolerance
as Krishnasamy
Centimeter
Centimeter
Jack N Jill
as Retd. Colonel Nair
Jack N Jill
as Retd. Colonel Nair
Puzhu
as Mohan
Puzhu
as Mohan
Bheeshma Parvam
as Iravippilla
Bheeshma Parvam
as Iravippilla
By Her
By Her
Aaraattu
as Sreedharan Master
Aaraattu
as Sreedharan Master
Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea
as Samoothiri
Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea
as Samoothiri
Aanum Pennum
as Vasudevan
Aanum Pennum
as Vasudevan
Yuvam
as Judge Ramakrishnan
Yuvam
as Judge Ramakrishnan
Thakkol
Thakkol
Thelivu
as Damodara Panicker
Thelivu
as Damodara Panicker
Chila NewGen Nattuvisheshangal
as Karnavar
Chila NewGen Nattuvisheshangal
as Karnavar
A for Apple
A for Apple
Shubharathri
Shubharathri
Kanchana 3
as Kaali’s father
Kanchana 3
as Kaali’s father
Madura Raja
as Madhavan Nair
Madura Raja
as Madhavan Nair
Vaarikkuzhiyile Kolapathakam
as Kurukkan Ponnappan
Vaarikkuzhiyile Kolapathakam
as Kurukkan Ponnappan
Sarvam Thaala Mayam
as Vembu Iyer
Sarvam Thaala Mayam
as Vembu Iyer
Panthu
Panthu
Thattumpurath Achuthan
as Gangadharan
Thattumpurath Achuthan
as Gangadharan
Joseph
as Adv. Srinivasan
Joseph
as Adv. Srinivasan
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan
as Adv. Santhosh Narayan
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan
as Adv. Santhosh Narayan
Johny Johny Yes Appa
as Adv. Louis
Johny Johny Yes Appa
as Adv. Louis
Oru Kuttanadan Blog
as Vasudeva Kaimal
Oru Kuttanadan Blog
as Vasudeva Kaimal
Kammara Sambhavam
as Selvan Moopan
Kammara Sambhavam
as Selvan Moopan
Khaleefa
Khaleefa
Carbon
as Basheer
Carbon
as Basheer
Daivame Kaithozham K.Kumar Akanam
as God
Daivame Kaithozham K.Kumar Akanam
as God
DiwanjiMoola Grand Prix
as Davis
DiwanjiMoola Grand Prix
as Davis
Udaharanam Sujatha
as George Paul
Udaharanam Sujatha
as George Paul
Pokkiri Simon
as Prof. Seetha Raman
Pokkiri Simon
as Prof. Seetha Raman
Oru Visheshapetta Biriyani Kissa
as Krishnan Nair
Oru Visheshapetta Biriyani Kissa
as Krishnan Nair
Avarude Raavukal
as Scobo Jhons
Avarude Raavukal
as Scobo Jhons
Buddhanum Chaplinum Chirikkunnu
Buddhanum Chaplinum Chirikkunnu
Ishti
as Ramavikraman Namboodiri
Ishti
as Ramavikraman Namboodiri
Pavada
as Pillai
Pavada
as Pillai
Rudra Simhasanam
as Shivathanu
Rudra Simhasanam
as Shivathanu
Nirnayakam
as Venukuttan Nair
Nirnayakam
as Venukuttan Nair
Rasam
as Valliyottu Thirumeni
Rasam
as Valliyottu Thirumeni
Aamayum Muyalum
as Kashi
Aamayum Muyalum
as Kashi
Villali Veeran
as Damodharji
Villali Veeran
as Damodharji
Munnariyippu
as Rama Moorthy
Munnariyippu
as Rama Moorthy
To Noora with Love
To Noora with Love
Nadodimannan
as Thiruvithamkodu Thirumanassu
Nadodimannan
as Thiruvithamkodu Thirumanassu
Tourist Home
Tourist Home
Sound Thoma
as Manikunju
Sound Thoma
as Manikunju
Celluloid
as Subramaniam
Celluloid
as Subramaniam
Puthiya Theerangal
as K.P./ Advocate Immanuel / Kurian Paulose / Kumara Panickker
Puthiya Theerangal
as K.P./ Advocate Immanuel / Kurian Paulose / Kumara Panickker
Mr. Marumakan
as Rajagopalan Thampy
Mr. Marumakan
as Rajagopalan Thampy
Akashathinte Niram
as Old Man
Akashathinte Niram
as Old Man
Vadhiyar
Vadhiyar
Thiruvambadi Thamban
as Kunjoonju
Thiruvambadi Thamban
as Kunjoonju
Hero
as Thankachan, Antony's father
Hero
as Thankachan, Antony's father
Mayamohini
as Sankaran Potti
Mayamohini
as Sankaran Potti
The King & The Commissioner
as Dr. E. K. Sudharshan
The King & The Commissioner
as Dr. E. K. Sudharshan
Unnam
as Murugan
Unnam
as Murugan
Ekadashy
Ekadashy
Doctor Love
as Gauri's father
Doctor Love
as Gauri's father
Manikyakallu
as Head master
Manikyakallu
as Head master
Mohabbath
Mohabbath
August 15
as V. G. Sadasivan
August 15
as V. G. Sadasivan
Best Actor
as Denver Aashan
Best Actor
as Denver Aashan
Penpattanam
as Unnithan Muthalali
Penpattanam
as Unnithan Muthalali
Sakudumbam Shyamala
as Shekaran IAS
Sakudumbam Shyamala
as Shekaran IAS
Malarvaadi Arts Club
as Kumaran
Malarvaadi Arts Club
as Kumaran
Oru Naal Varum
as Havildar Vasudevan
Oru Naal Varum
as Havildar Vasudevan
Alexander The Great
as Dr. Korah
Alexander The Great
as Dr. Korah
Pokkiri Raja
as Madhavan Nair
Pokkiri Raja
as Madhavan Nair
In Ghost House Inn
as Father Dominic
In Ghost House Inn
as Father Dominic
Punyam Aham
as Kaarackal Easwaran Namboodiri
Punyam Aham
as Kaarackal Easwaran Namboodiri
Keralotsavam Mission 2009
as Padmanabhan Embranthiri
Keralotsavam Mission 2009
as Padmanabhan Embranthiri
Swa Le
as Palazhi Sivasankarappilla
Swa Le
as Palazhi Sivasankarappilla
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja
as Moopan
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja
as Moopan
Kana Kanmani
as Iyer
Kana Kanmani
as Iyer
Decent Parties
Decent Parties
Puthiya Mugham
as Ramankutty Iyer
Puthiya Mugham
as Ramankutty Iyer
Ivar Vivahitharayal...?
as Freddy Uncle
Ivar Vivahitharayal...?
as Freddy Uncle
Passenger
as Driver Nair
Passenger
as Driver Nair
Bhoomi Malayalam
Bhoomi Malayalam
Banaras
as M.K. Nair
Banaras
as M.K. Nair
Bhagyadevatha
as Sadanadan Pillai
Bhagyadevatha
as Sadanadan Pillai
Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded
as CM Chandrashekharan
Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded
as CM Chandrashekharan
Gulumaal: The Escape
as Prabhakara Varma
Gulumaal: The Escape
as Prabhakara Varma
Love in Singapore
as Andrews Perreira
Love in Singapore
as Andrews Perreira
Silambattam
as Vichu's Grandfather
Silambattam
as Vichu's Grandfather
Pakal Nakshatrangal
Pakal Nakshatrangal
Thavalam
as Panikker
Thavalam
as Panikker
Poi Solla Porom
as K.R.Sathyanathan
Poi Solla Porom
as K.R.Sathyanathan
The Imprints
The Imprints
Mizhikal Sakshi
as Lebba Sahib
Mizhikal Sakshi
as Lebba Sahib
Dae! Ingottu Nokkiye...
Dae! Ingottu Nokkiye...
A Climate for Crime
as Maathu
A Climate for Crime
as Maathu
College Kumaran
as Sivaraman Nair
College Kumaran
as Sivaraman Nair
Ayur Rekha
as Captain Nair
Ayur Rekha
as Captain Nair
Four Women
Four Women
Chaurahen
as Mr Nayyar
Chaurahen
as Mr Nayyar
Indrajith
as Madhavan Nair
Indrajith
as Madhavan Nair
Nivedyam
as Ramappan Namboothiri
Nivedyam
as Ramappan Namboothiri
Arabikkatha
as "Society" Gopalan
Arabikkatha
as "Society" Gopalan
Khaki
as Balakrishnan Nair
Khaki
as Balakrishnan Nair
Vinodayathra
as John Matthew
Vinodayathra
as John Matthew
Kaiyoppu
as C.P. Vasudevan
Kaiyoppu
as C.P. Vasudevan
Changathipoocha
as Sreedharan Nair
Changathipoocha
as Sreedharan Nair
Palunku
as Teacher
Palunku
as Teacher
Pothan Vava
as Meppattor Vishnu Narayanan Nampoothiri
Pothan Vava
as Meppattor Vishnu Narayanan Nampoothiri
Prajapathi
as Muppil Kunjambu Nair
Prajapathi
as Muppil Kunjambu Nair
Rashtram
as Chief Minister Janardhanan Kurup
Rashtram
as Chief Minister Janardhanan Kurup
Nottam
as Vasudevan Chakyar
Nottam
as Vasudevan Chakyar
Thanmathra
as Krishnan Nair
Thanmathra
as Krishnan Nair
Anandabhadram
as Padmanabhan
Anandabhadram
as Padmanabhan
Mayookham
as Keshavan Namboothiri
Mayookham
as Keshavan Namboothiri
December
December
Anniyan
as Parthasarathy Iyengar
Anniyan
as Parthasarathy Iyengar
Ponmudipuzhayorathu
as Muthappan
Ponmudipuzhayorathu
as Muthappan
Finger Print
as Rama Varma Thampuran
Finger Print
as Rama Varma Thampuran
Saira
as Ustad Ali
Saira
as Ustad Ali
Amrutham
as Ravunni Nair
Amrutham
as Ravunni Nair
Mampazhakkalam
as Raghavan Mash
Mampazhakkalam
as Raghavan Mash
Jalolsavam
as Aalakkal Govindanashan
Jalolsavam
as Aalakkal Govindanashan
Vettam
as Retd D.I.G (Uncle Tom)
Vettam
as Retd D.I.G (Uncle Tom)
Vismayathumbathu
as Dr. Sibi Joseph
Vismayathumbathu
as Dr. Sibi Joseph
Parayam
Parayam
Manassinakkare
as Kuriakose
Manassinakkare
as Kuriakose
Maargam
as Venu Menon
Maargam
as Venu Menon
Balettan
as Gopalan Menon
Balettan
as Gopalan Menon
Ente Veedu... Appuvinteyum
as Doctor Krishnakumar
Ente Veedu... Appuvinteyum
as Doctor Krishnakumar
Thilakkam
as Padmanabhan Master
Thilakkam
as Padmanabhan Master
Parinamam
Parinamam
Mr. Brahmachari
as Sekharan Thampi
Mr. Brahmachari
as Sekharan Thampi
Arimpara
as Krishnan Unni
Arimpara
as Krishnan Unni
Yathrakarude Sradhakku
as Viswanathan
Yathrakarude Sradhakku
as Viswanathan
Chathurangam
as Mathew Varghese
Chathurangam
as Mathew Varghese
Shadow Kill
as Jailer
Shadow Kill
as Jailer
Thandavam
as Swaminathan
Thandavam
as Swaminathan
Phantom
as Gandhi Gangadharan Pillai
Phantom
as Gandhi Gangadharan Pillai
Kanmashi
as Menon
Kanmashi
as Menon
Mazhathullikkilukkam
as Father Palaykkal
Mazhathullikkilukkam
as Father Palaykkal
Kunjikkoonan
as Prasad's father
Kunjikkoonan
as Prasad's father
Ishtam
as Krishnankutty Menon
Ishtam
as Krishnankutty Menon
Randam Bhavam
as Manikutty's Father
Randam Bhavam
as Manikutty's Father
Uthaman
as Kochantony
Uthaman
as Kochantony
Cover Story
as Retd. Justice Chandrashekara Menon
Cover Story
as Retd. Justice Chandrashekara Menon
Dubai
as Swaminathan
Dubai
as Swaminathan
Kakkakuyil
as Blind 'Thampuran'
Kakkakuyil
as Blind 'Thampuran'
Ladies & Gentlemen
as Fernandez
Ladies & Gentlemen
as Fernandez
Jeevan Masai
as Jeevan Masai
Jeevan Masai
as Jeevan Masai
Aanamuttathe Aangalamar
as Shivasankara Menon
Aanamuttathe Aangalamar
as Shivasankara Menon
Susanna
Susanna
Mister Butler
as Menon
Mister Butler
as Menon
Life Is Beautiful
as Principal
Life Is Beautiful
as Principal
Madhuranombarakattu
as Baaghavatar
Madhuranombarakattu
as Baaghavatar
Saree
Saree
Pranaya Nilavu
as Madhavan Nair
Pranaya Nilavu
as Madhavan Nair
English Medium
as Sankunni Nair
English Medium
as Sankunni Nair
Devadasi
Devadasi
Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal
as Aravindan
Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal
as Aravindan
Pallavur Devanarayanan
as Aasan
Pallavur Devanarayanan
as Aasan
Stalin Sivadas
Stalin Sivadas
Megham
as Kumaran
Megham
as Kumaran
Thachiledathu Chundan
as Vasukutty
Thachiledathu Chundan
as Vasukutty
Angene Oru Avadhikkalathu
as Delhi Pappachan
Angene Oru Avadhikkalathu
as Delhi Pappachan
Sundara Killadi
as Rajamanikkam
Sundara Killadi
as Rajamanikkam
Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
as The Headmaster
Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
as The Headmaster
Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu
as Dr. Subhash
Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu
as Dr. Subhash
Raktha Sakshikal Zindabad
Raktha Sakshikal Zindabad
Oru Maravathoor Kanavu
Oru Maravathoor Kanavu
Harikrishnans
as Thampuran
Harikrishnans
as Thampuran
Sidhartha
as Karunakara Menon
Sidhartha
as Karunakara Menon
Daya
as Sultan
Daya
as Sultan
Thirakalkkappuram
as Vellayudhachan
Thirakalkkappuram
as Vellayudhachan
Birthday
Birthday
Thattakam
Thattakam
Superman
as Raman Nair
Superman
as Raman Nair
Guru
as Teacher
Guru
as Teacher
Churam
as Balagopalan
Churam
as Balagopalan
Chandralekha
as Udhaya Varma
Chandralekha
as Udhaya Varma
Karunyam
Karunyam
Itha Oru Snehagatha
Itha Oru Snehagatha
Poonilamazha
as Dr. Balagopal
Poonilamazha
as Dr. Balagopal
Manthramothiram
as M. K. S. Warrier
Manthramothiram
as M. K. S. Warrier
Oru Yaatra Mozhi
as Appu
Oru Yaatra Mozhi
as Appu
Rishyasringan
Rishyasringan
Ishtadanam
as Dhanapalan
Ishtadanam
as Dhanapalan
Mangamma
as Nair
Mangamma
as Nair
Manasam
as Menon
Manasam
as Menon
Vaachalam
Vaachalam
Udhyanapalakan
Udhyanapalakan
Indian
as Krishnasamy
Indian
as Krishnasamy
Kaalapani
as Sreekandan Nair
Kaalapani
as Sreekandan Nair
Rajaputhran
as M. K. Nair
Rajaputhran
as M. K. Nair
Devaraagam
Devaraagam
Sakshyam
as Dominic Fernandes
Sakshyam
as Dominic Fernandes
Sreeragam
as Periya Shasthri
Sreeragam
as Periya Shasthri
Ormakalundayirikkanam
as Nambiar
Ormakalundayirikkanam
as Nambiar
Nirnayam
as Fr. Thayyil
Nirnayam
as Fr. Thayyil
Rajadhani
as Panikker
Rajadhani
as Panikker
Thenmavin Kombath
as Sreekrishnan Thampuran
Thenmavin Kombath
as Sreekrishnan Thampuran
Pavithram
as Warrier
Pavithram
as Warrier
Manichitrathazhu
as Thampy
Manichitrathazhu
as Thampy
Padheyam
as Kunjikannan Nair
Padheyam
as Kunjikannan Nair
Aagneyam
Aagneyam
Oru Kadankatha Pole
Oru Kadankatha Pole
Devasuram
as Appukutty Nair
Devasuram
as Appukutty Nair
Ente Sreekuttikku
as Ananthan Mashu
Ente Sreekuttikku
as Ananthan Mashu
Samagamam
as Fr. Puthenthara
Samagamam
as Fr. Puthenthara
Vietnam Colony
as Moosa Settu
Vietnam Colony
as Moosa Settu
Kunjikuruvi
Kunjikuruvi
Rajashilpi
as Madhavan
Rajashilpi
as Madhavan
Aham
Aham
Apaaratha
as K. P. Menon
Apaaratha
as K. P. Menon
Kamaladalam
as Secretary of Kerala Kala Mandiram Institute
Kamaladalam
as Secretary of Kerala Kala Mandiram Institute
Poochakkaru Mani Kettum
as Ambotty
Poochakkaru Mani Kettum
as Ambotty
Yamanam
Yamanam
Champakkulam Thachan
as Kuttiraman
Champakkulam Thachan
as Kuttiraman
Bhoomika
as Rama Warrier
Bhoomika
as Rama Warrier
Mukhachithram
as Fr. Felix
Mukhachithram
as Fr. Felix
Pavakkoothu
as Aditya Varma
Pavakkoothu
as Aditya Varma
His Highness Abdullah
as Maharaja Udayavarma
His Highness Abdullah
as Maharaja Udayavarma
Dasharatham
as Scariah
Dasharatham
as Scariah
Vandanam
as Kurian Fernandez
Vandanam
as Kurian Fernandez
Njangalude Kochu Doctor
as Hameed
Njangalude Kochu Doctor
as Hameed
Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas
Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas
Witness
as Himself
Witness
as Himself
Daisy
as Pradees's Uncle
Daisy
as Pradees's Uncle
Kathakku Pinnil
Kathakku Pinnil
Neela Kurinji Poothappol....
as Sivaramakrishnan Nair
Neela Kurinji Poothappol....
as Sivaramakrishnan Nair
Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi
as Sasidharan
Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi
as Sasidharan
Moonnu Masangalkku Munpu
Moonnu Masangalkku Munpu
Meenamasathile Suryan
as Chirukandan's Father
Meenamasathile Suryan
as Chirukandan's Father
Love Story
as Kumaran Nair / Radhakrishnan (dual role)
Love Story
as Kumaran Nair / Radhakrishnan (dual role)
Puli Varunne Puli
as Ramdas
Puli Varunne Puli
as Ramdas
Irakal
as Andrews
Irakal
as Andrews
Azhiyatha Bandhangal
as Unnikrishnan
Azhiyatha Bandhangal
as Unnikrishnan
Mutharamkunnu P.O.
as Kuttan Pillai
Mutharamkunnu P.O.
as Kuttan Pillai
Oru Sandesam Koodi
Oru Sandesam Koodi
Akkare
as Johnny
Akkare
as Johnny
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi
as Ravunni Menon
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi
as Ravunni Menon
Kaliyil Alpam Karyam
Kaliyil Alpam Karyam
Odaruthammava Aalariyam
as Major Nair
Odaruthammava Aalariyam
as Major Nair
Aarorumariyathe
as Govindankutty
Aarorumariyathe
as Govindankutty
Asthram
as Krishnanunni
Asthram
as Krishnanunni
Enikkum oru Divasam
as Vasu
Enikkum oru Divasam
as Vasu
Ente Mohangal Poovaninju
as Damu
Ente Mohangal Poovaninju
as Damu
Yavanika
as Balagopalan
Yavanika
as Balagopalan
Ilakkangal
as Unni
Ilakkangal
as Unni
Thenum Vayambum
as Ravi
Thenum Vayambum
as Ravi
Chatta
as Kosara Bhairavan
Chatta
as Kosara Bhairavan
Kolangal
as Paramu
Kolangal
as Paramu
Kallan Pavithran
as Pavithran
Kallan Pavithran
as Pavithran
Manjil Virinja Pookkal
as Seythalavi
Manjil Virinja Pookkal
as Seythalavi