Thilakan
| Thilakan | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Surendranatha Thilakan 8 December 1935 Ayroor,Travancore, Indian Empire |
| Died | 24 September 2012 (aged 76) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Years active | 1956–1978 (stage) 1972, 1979–2012 (film) |
| Spouse(s) | Shanta, Sarojam |
| Children | Shaji Thilakan, Shammi Thilakan, Shoby Thilakan, Shibu Thilakan, Dr.Sonia Thilakan, Sophia Ajith |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2009) |
Surendranatha Thilakan (15 July 1935 – 24 September 2012), credited mononymously as Thilakan, was an Indian film and stage actor who has starred in over 200 Malayalam films. He is considered to be one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema, and is popularly mentioned as the Perumthachan (master craftsman) of Malayalam cinema. He has won 3 National Film Awards and 9 Kerala State Film Awards. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 2009 for his contributions towards the arts. He died on 24 September 2012, following cardiac arrest at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. He was 76.
Benoi Thilakan started his career in acting as a theatre artiste when he ventured into full-time acting in theatre after leaving intermediate college mid-way in the year 1956. During this period he and a few friends formed a drama troupe in Mundakayam, where his father was working as an estate supervisor, and the troupe was called the Mundakayam Nataka Samithy. He worked with Kerala People's Arts Club till 1966, followed by stints in Kalidasa Kala Kendra, Changanacherry Geetha, and P. J. Antony's troupe. He also performed in several radio plays presented by All India Radio.
Thilakan began his career in cinema with a role in P.J.Anthony directed Malayalam movie Periyar (1973). He then worked in Gandharvakshetram and Ulkadal (1979). His first role as a lead character was as Kallu Varkey, a drunkard in Kolangal (1981). Thilakan was awarded his first State Award in 1981 for his role in Yavanika.
In 1988, he received the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Rithubhedam. Again in 1994, and in 1998, he won State awards for Santhanagopalam and Gamanam. He was strongly favoured to get another National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the movie Perumthachan. As noted in the rediff interview, the award was steered away from him to Amitabh Bachchan due to strong lobbying, as Amitabh announced his retirement that year. The film Kireedam was a milestone in his career; in this film he portrayed a helpless policeman silently watching the fate of his son, played by Mohanlal, who was made into a rowdy by society. In 1989 he also did Mrugya, in which his role of a Reverend Father Panangodan,was well appreciated by critics and won him many accolades.In the 90's Thilakan was part of many Mohanlal evergreen hit films. In 1987, he played the role of Ananthan Nambiar in the cult-classic comedy movie Nadodikattu. The movie is considered as one of the most popular Malayalam movies of all time. Even after more than 25 years, the movie draws huge audience whenever it is telecast on television channels. Thilakan's dialogues became very popular and is still used as an iconic Malayalam catchphrase. In 1993 he continued his role as the father of Sethu Madhavan (Mohanlal) in the movie Chenkol. Unlike its prequel Kireedam, this movie failed commercially and critically.He played the role of a Retd I.G Mathews a.k.a. Kareembootham in another Mohanlal All time Industry blockbuster Minnaram in 1994. His role as a retired mathematics teacher, father of Aadu Thoma (Mohanlal), in the 1995 blockbuster movie Sphadikam was well appreciated by critics and audiences alike. It became a cult movie. Thilakan was a very versatile and gifted actor not only in the industry but in the entire nation.He was equally versatile in all departments be it donning villain roles,comedy or drama. In 1998 he played the role of Dileep's father in the superhit Meenathil Thalikettu. In his subsequent release he donned the role of a villain in the Kunchako Boban starrer Mayilpeelikavu. In the same year he was also seen in the cult-classic hit Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala. Some of Thilakan's other notable films of the decade include Moonnam Pakkam, Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal, Mookkilla Rajyathu, Randam Bhavam, Kaattu Kuthira and Yavanika.
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