Devan (actor)

Devan Sreenivasan (born January 8, 1952), is an Indian film and television actor, producer, and politician from Kerala. He is known for his character roles in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu language films. After many second hero and supporting actor roles, he made his breakthrough in the 1987 film ''New Delhi''. He later advanced to a lead actor with films like ''Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam'' (1987), ''Oozham'' (1988), ''Simon Peter Ninakku Vendi'' (1988) and ''Aranyakam'' (1988). His well-known movies such as ''Vietnam Colony'' (1992), ''Ekalavyan'' (1993), ''Honest Raj'' (1994), ''Baashha'' (1995) and '' Indraprasdham'' (1996). He is also known as 'Devji'.

Early life

Devan was born on 5 May 1952 in Thrissur, India. His father, Sreenivasan, was a public prosecutor and his mother, Lalitha, was a doctor. He has three siblings, Shobha, Sheela and Sureshbabu. His family has a Kalaripayattu lineage. Malayalam filmmaker Ramu Kariat was his uncle. Devan completed his schooling at Government Model Higher Secondary School, Thrissur. He took bachelor's degree from St. Thomas College, Thrissur, during his college time he was a member of Kerala Students Union (KSU); his parents were Indian National Congress-leaning. His father wanted him to be a police officer, but he wanted to be in army. After graduation, he tried at the National Defence Academy, but was not selected. He went to Madras (now Chennai) in search of a job and later took post-graduation in Master of Business Administration.

Career

During his time in college, he used to read books a lot. He found possibility for a film in N. N. Pisharody's novel ''Vellam'', he approached director Hariharan, who agreed with him, M. T. Vasudevan Nair wrote the screenplay, it was the first and last screenplay of his not based on his own story. Devan produced the film, filming was halted midway due to financial crisis. He made his acting debut in ''Ashatapathi'' to raise fund to resume filming, it was followed by a number of acting projects. After which, shooting resumed, but upon release, the film failed at the box office. In an interview, he said that ''Vellam'' (1985) is the best film come out from Hariharan-M. T. Vasudevan Nair combination. It was in the 1987 film ''New Delhi'' that he first appeared as a villain, since then he was typecast as a villain in Malayalam cinema. However, in Telugu cinema, he is known for character roles. Devan recalled in an interview that his best roles were in Telugu and Tamil cinema.

He was engaged in several business ventures before starting his career in movies.

Devan started his acting career in supporting roles, after being approached by a producer at Spencer Plaza in Chennai. His most notable movies are ''Ekalavyan'', '' Baasha'' and '' Indraprasdham''. He has also acted in several TV series.

Personal life

He was married to his uncle Ramu Kariat's daughter, Suma. The couple has a daughter named Lakshmi. His wife Suma died on 12 July 2019 due to H1N1 infection.

Politics

Devan was an active supporter of Indian National Congress in his college days. Later he became founder and leader of the Kerala People's Party, a political party in the Indian state of Kerala. During the UPA regime he again worked along with the Indian National Congress. In a 2014 interview, Devan said that a politician he admired a lot was Ramakrishna Hegde. In 2021 he merged Kerala People's Party to BJP in the presence of Home Minister of India Amit Shah.

Filmography

Malayalam

# 1983 – ''Naadam''
# 1983 – ''Ashtapadi''
# 1983 – ''Sairandri''
# 1984 – ''Aagraham''
# 1984 – ''Aashamsakalode''
# 1984 – ''Vellam'' (Producer)
# 1984 – ''Paavam Krooran''
# 1985 – ''Jwalanam''
# 1985 – ''Shatru'' as Rajasekharan
# 1985 – ''Kiraatham'' as Artist
# 1985 – ''Kaiyum Thalayum Purathidaruthu''
# 1985 – ''Madhuvidhu Theerum Mumpe''
# 1986 – ''Oru Yuga Sandhya'' as Balachandran
# 1986 – ''Padayani''
# 1986 – ''Niramulla Raavukal'' as Soman
# 1986 – ''Panchagni''
# 1986 – ''Vartha''
# 1986 – ''Ithu Oru Thudakkam Mathram''
# 1987 – ''Adimakal Udamakal'' as Vijayan
# 1987 – ''Aadhya Rathrikku Munbu''
# 1987 – ''Vrutham'' as Devadas
# 1987 – ''Amritamgamaya''
# 1987 – '' Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal''
# 1987 – '' Oru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettam''
# 1987 – ''Chanthayil Choodi Nilkkunna Pennu''
# 1987 – ''Naalkkavala''
# 1987 – ''New Delhi''
# 1988 – ''Ormayil Ennum'' as Suku
# 1988 – ''Innalayude Bhakki''
# 1988 – ''Mattoru Pranaya Kadha''
# 1988 – ''Simon Peter Ninakku Vendi'' as Simon Peter
# 1988 – ''Vida Parayaan Mathrem''
# 1988 – ''Mrithyunjayam'' as Issac
# 1988 – ''Vaishali''
# 1988 – ''Oozham''
# 1988 – ''Athirthikal''
# 1988 – ''Uyaran Omanikkan''
# 1988 – ''Mattoru Pranayakatha''
# 1988 – ''Onninu Purake Mattonnu'' as Inspector Mohandas
# 1988 – ''Oru Vivaada Vishayam''
# 1988 – ''Aranyakam''
# 1988 – ''David David Mr.David''
# 1988 – ''Dhinarathrangal''
# 1988 – ''Theerthinariyam Thirayude Vedhana (Jwalanam)''
# 1988 – ''Abkari''
# 1989 – ''Bhadrachitta'' as Haridasan
# 1989 – ''Jeevitham Oru Raagam''
# 1989 – ''Adhipan''
# 1989 – ''Ulsavapittennu''
# 1989 – ''Ashokante Aswathikuttikku''
# 1989 – '' Ramji Rao Speaking''
# 1989 – ''Nair Saab''
# 1989 – ''Naaduvazhikal''
# 1989 – ''Jagratha''
# 1989 – ''Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas''
# 1989 – ''Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha''
# 1989 - ''Maharajavu''
# 1990 – ''Iyer The Great''
# 1990 – ''Brahmmarakshassu''
# 1990 – ''Marupuram''
# 1990 – ''Judgement''
# 1990 – ''Shesham Screenil''
# 1990 – ''Kelikottu''
# 1990 – ''Vyooham''
# 1990 – ''Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu''
# 1990 – ''Randaam Varavu'' as DYSP Balu
# 1990 – ''Malootty''
# 1991 – ''Thudarkadha'' as Ravi Varma
# 1991 – ''Kilukkam''
# 1991 – ''Anaswaram''
# 1992 – ''Police Dairy''
# 1992 – ''Malootty''
# 1992 – ''Poochakkaru Manikettum''
# 1992 – ''Grihapravesam''
# 1992 – ''Manthrikacheppu''
# 1992 – ''Ponnaramthottathe Rajavu''
# 1992 – ''Kaazhchakkappuram''
# 1992 – ''Kauravar''
# 1993 – ''O Faby''
# 1993 – ''Aalavattam''
# 1993 – ''Ghoshayaathra'' as Jamal
# 1993 – ''Gaandharvam''
# 1993 – ''Vietnam Colony''
# 1993 – ''Ekalavyan''
# 1993 – ''Yaadhavam''
# 1993 – ''Jackpot''
# 1994 – ''Chief Minister K R Gouthami''
# 1994 – ''Ezhuthachan''
# 1994 – ''Rudraksham''
# 1994 – ''Pingami''
# 1994 – ''Cabinet''
# 1995 – '' The King''
# 1995 – ''Sundarimaare Sookshikkuka'' as Raju
# 1995 – ''Hijack'' as Swami/Ravindra Varma
# 1995 – ''Chantha''
# 1995 – ''Agnidevan''
# 1995 – ''Nirnnayam''
# 1996 – ''Mahatma''
# 1996 – ''Indraprastham''
# 1996 – ''Dominic Presentation''
# 1996 – ''Sulthan Hyderali''
# 1996 – ''Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan''
# 1997 – ''Janathipathyam''
# 1997 – ''Poomarathanalil'' as Narendran
# 1997 – ''Ranger''
# 1997 – ''Gangothri''
# 1997 – ''Bhoopathi''
# 1997 – ''Maasmaram''
# 1997 – ''Kannur''
# 1997 – ''Snehasindooram''
# 1997 – ''Sankeerthanam Pole''
# 1997 – ''Five Star Hospital''
# 1998 – ''Harthaal''
# 1998 – ''Sooryaputhran''
# 1998 – ''Chitrashalabham''
# 1998 – ''Achamakuttiyude Achayan''
# 1998 – ''Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu''
# 1999 – ''Pallavur Devanarayanan''
# 1999 – ''Captain'' as John Samuel
# 1999 – ''Jananayakan'' as Sathyapalan
# 1999 – ''Niram''
# 1999 – ''Garshom''
# 2000 – ''Arayannegalude Veedu''
# 2000 – ''Millenium Stars''
# 2000 – ''Indriyam''
# 2000 – ''Nisheedhini''
# 2000 – ''India Gate'' as Vishwanadhan
# 2000 – ''Rapid Action Force''
# 2000 – ''The Judgement''
# 2000 – ''Sradha''
# 2000 - ''The Warrant'' as Mohan Gandhi Raman
# 2000 – ''F.I.R''
# 2000 – ''Priyam''
# 2000 – ''Summer Palace''
# 2001 – ''Akaashathile Paravakal'' as Karunan
# 2001 – ''Onnam Raagam''
# 2001 – ''Nee Enikkayi Mathrem''
# 2001 – ''Ee Raavil''
# 2001 – ''Praja''
# 2001 – ''Sraavu'' as Captain Napoleon
# 2001 – ''Sathyameva Jayathe''
# 2001 – ''Sahayathrikakku Snehapoorvam''
# 2001 – ''Goa'' as Sam Alex
# 2001 – ''Achaneyanenikkishtam''
# 2001 – ''Jwalanam''
# 2002 – ''Khakhi Nakshatram'' as George
# 2002 – ''Kalachakram''
# 2002 – ''Kanmashi''
# 2002 – ''Puthooram Puthri Unniyarcha'' as Chandu
# 2002 – ''Vaanibham''
# 2002 – ''Niramulla Swapnagal''
# 2002 – ''Desam'' as Unni
# 2002 – ''Akhila'' as Balan
# 2002 – ''India Gate''
# 2003 – '' Mr. Brahmachari''
# 2003 – ''Kanmashi''
# 2004 – ''Priyam Priyankaram''
# 2004 – ''Nirappakittu''
# 2004 – ''Ennittum'' as Chandu
# 2004 – ''Udayam''
# 2005 – ''December'' as Issac
# 2005 – ''Finger Print''
# 2005 – ''Bunglavil Outha''
# 2005 – '' Bus Conductor''
# 2006 – ''Pathaka'' as Rajan Nadar
# 2006 – '' Highway Police'' as DSP Somanathan
# 2006 – '' Red Salute''
# 2006 – ''Narakasuran''
# 2006 – ''Bada Dosth'' as Minister K.D
# 2006 – '' Balram Vs Tara Das''
# 2006 – ''Vargam'' (Malayalam)
# 2006 – ''Thuruppugulan''
# 2007 – ''Paranju Theeratha Visheshangal'' as Ashok
# 2007 – ''Novel''
# 2007 – ''Detective''
# 2007 – ''Mauryan''
# 2007 - '' Athishayan''
# 2007 – '' Nasrani''
# 2007 – ''4 July''
# 2008 – ''Bullet''
# 2008 – ''Parunthu''
# 2008 – ''Novel''
# 2008 - '' Cycle''
# 2009 – ''My Big Father'' as Colonel Varghese
# 2009 – '' IG''
# 2009 – '' Gulumal: The Escape'' as Emir Harish Rahman
# 2009 – ''Ivar Vivahitharayal''
# 2009 – ''The Trigger''
# 2009 – ''Pathaam Adyaayam''
# 2009 – '' Banaras'' as Balakrishnan Nair
# 2009 – ''Nizhal''
# 2009 – ''Pazhassi Raja'' as Kunnavath nambiar
# 2009 – ''Black Dalia'' as Raveendren
# 2010 – ''Yugapurushan''
# 2010 – ''Koottukar'' as Krishnan nair
# 2010 – ''Nizhal''
# 2010 – ''24 Hours'' as Vikramaditya varma
# 2010 – ''Kaanakazchakal''
# 2010 – ''Nanthuni''
# 2010 – '' Kasba''
# 2010 – ''Naale''
# 2010 – ''Arayan''
# 2010 – '' Drona''
# 2011 – ''Avan''
# 2011 – '' Manushya Mrugam'' as Kochu pulose
# 2011 – ''Film Star'' as Thamban
# 2011 – '' Maanikkyakkallu''
# 2011 – '' Christian Brothers'' as Sudhakaran
# 2011 – ''Mohabbath'' as Firoz
# 2011 – ''Ithu Nammude Katha''
# 2011 – '' Janapriyan ''
# 2011 – ''Veeraputhran'' as Adv. Krishnan
# 2012 – ''Yaathrakkoduvil'' asDavid
# 2012 – ''Aakasmikam''
# 2012 – ''Doctor Innocent Aanu'' as Dr. James
# 2012 – ''Namukku Paarkkan'' as Isaac
# 2012 – ''Yakshi Faithfully Yours'' as Appan thampuran
# 2012 – '' Grand Master'' as ADGP
# 2012 – '' The King and The Commissioner''
# 2012 – ''Manthrikan''
# 2012 – '' Simhasanam''
# 2013 – ''Weeping Boy'' as Jail superintendent
# 2013 – ''Immanuel'' as
# 2013 - ''Aan Piranna Veedu''
# 2013 - ''Red Rain''
# 2013 - ''Pakaram''
# 2013 - ''Manikya Thampurattiyum Christmas Carolum''
# 2013 – ''Blackberry'' as Minister Ramachandran
# 2013 – ''Breaking News Live''
# 2013 - ''3 G''
# 2013 - ''Last Bus 8:30 PM''
# 2014 - ''Law Point''
# 2014 – ''Mannar Mathai Speaking 2''
# 2014 – '' How Old Are You''
# 2014 - ''Mammiyude Swantham Achoos''
# 2014 - '' Vasanthathinte Kanal Vazhikalil''
# 2014 - ''Dial 1091''
# 2014 - ''Gamer''
# 2014 - ''Njangalku Kittiya Yelahanka Posting''
# 2014 - ''Oru New Generation Pani''
# 2014 - ''Uthara Chemmeen''
# 2014 - ''Solar Swapnam''
# 2014 - '' Avatharam''
# 2014 - ''Asha Black''
# 2014 - ''Ettekal Second''
# 2014 – '' Mr. Fraud''
# 2015 – ''Wonderful Journey''
# 2015 – ''Raag Rangeela''
# 2015 – ''Female Unnikrishnan''
# 2015 - ''Namasthe Bali Island''
# 2015 - ''Samrajyam II: Son of Alexander''
# 2015 - '' Rudrasimhasanam''
# 2015 - ''Oru New Generation Pani''
# 2015 - '' Rasam''
# 2015 - ''Calling Bell''
# 2016 - ''Plus Or Minus''
# 2015 - ''Just Married''
# 2015 - ''Marutha''
# 2015 - ''Village Guys''
# 2016 - ''Marupadi''
# 2016 - ''Dafedar''
# 2016 - ''Angane Thanne Nethave Anjettanam Pinnale''
# 2016 - ''Pretham''
# 2016 - ''Ore Mukham''
# 2017 - '' 1971 Beyond Borders''
# 2017 - ''Vishwa Vikhyatharaya Payyanmar''
# 2018 - ''Marubhoomiyile Mazhathullikal''
# 2018 - ''Ippozhum Eppozhum Sthuthiyayirikkatte''
# 2018 - '' Koodasha''
# 2018 - ''Hello Dubaikkaran''
# 2018 - ''Aravindante Athidhikal''
# 2018 - ''Koode''
# 2018 - ''Pranayatheertham''
# 2019 - ''Vijay Superum Pournamiyum''
# 2019 - '' Pattabhiraman''
# 2019 - '' Ganagandharvan''
# 2019 - ''1948 Kaalam Paranjathu''
# 2019 - ''Mangalath Vasundhara''
# 2019 - ''Jack and Daniel''
# 2019 - '' A for Apple''
# 2019 - ''Oru Caribean Udayip''
# 2019 - '' Munthiri Monchan: Oru Thavala Paranja Kadha''
# 2020 - ''Love FM''
#2020 - '' Big Brother''
#2021 -''Kshanam''
# 2022-'' Kalachekon''
#2022- '' Mahi''

Tamil

# 1993 – '' Prathap''
# 1994 – ''Jai Hind''
# 1994 – ''Captain''
# 1994 – ''Honest Raj''
# 1995 – ''Baashha''
# 1995 – ''Nandhavana Theru''
# 1995 – ''Ragasiya Police''
# 1997 – '' Mannava''
# 1997 – ''Ullaasam''
# 1997 – ''Thadayam''
# 1997 - ''Veerapandi Kottayiley''
# 1997 - ''My India''
# 1998 – ''Iniyavale''
# 1999 – ''En Swasa Kaatre''
# 1999 - ''Siragugal'' (Sun TV telefilm)
# 1999 – ''Rajasthan''
# 1999 – '' Periyanna''
# 1999 – ''Nenjinile''
# 1999 – ''Manam Virumbuthe Unnai''
# 1999 – ''Time''
# 2000 – ''Vaanathaippola''
# 2000 – ''Ennamma Kannu''
# 2000 – ''Vaanavil''
# 2001 – '' Rishi''
# 2001 – '' Citizen''
# 2001 – ''Shahjahan''
# 2002 – '' Maaran''
# 2002 – ''Punnagai Desam''
# 2002 – ''Raja''
# 2002 – ''Roja Kootam''
# 2002 – ''April Maadhathil''
# 2003 - ''Aahaa Ethanai Azhagu''
# 2003 – ''Thithikudhe''
# 2003 – ''Indru''
# 2004 - ''Campus''
# 2004 – '' Jai''
# 2004 – '' Adi Thadi''
# 2004 - ''Perazhagan''
# 2004 – ''Shock''
# 2004 – '' Arivumani''
# 2004 – ''Arasatchi''
# 2004 – ''Bose''
# 2004 - ''Gomathi Nayagam''
# 2005 – ''Sivakasi''
# 2006 – ''Aathi''
# 2006 – '' Aacharya''
# 2006 – '' Vanjagan''
# 2006 – '' Vathiyar''
# 2006 – ''Manasukkule''
# 2008 – ''Aegan''
# 2010 – ''Guindy''
# 2010 – '' Thairiyam''
# 2010 - ''Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa'' as Joseph Thekekuttu in the film Jessie
# 2011 – '' Kanchana''
# 2011 – ''Konjam Sirippu Konjam Kobam''
# 2012 – '' Murattu Kaalai''
# 2013 – ''Chennaiyil Oru Naal''
# 2013 – ''Masani''
# 2014 - ''Nee Naan Nizhal''
# 2014 - ''Appavi Katteri ''
# 2018 - ''Imaikkaa Nodigal''

Telugu

Police brothers

# 1992 - ''Dharma Kshetram'' as Pandu
# 1993 - '' Aasayam'' as Reddappa
# 1993 - ''Ratha Sarathi''
# 1996 - ''Sampradhayam''
# 1997 - '' Subhakankshalu'' as Balaramaiah
# 1997 - ''Pellichesukundam''
# 2000 - '' Maa Annayya''
# 2002 - ''Mounamelanoyi''
# 2003 - ''Okariki Okaru''
# 2004 - ''Sivaram''
# 2004 - '' Chennakesava Reddy''
# 2004 - '' Anandamanandamaye''
# 2004 - '' Kaasi''
# 2004 - ''Kushi Kushiga''
# 2007 - ''Desamuduru'' as Narayan Patwari
# 2010 - ''Vareva''
# 2010 - ''Ye Maaya Chesave'' as Joseph Thekekuttu
# 2012 - ''Dhamarukam'' as Vishwanath
# 2012 - ''Sarocharu''
# 2014 - ''Heart Attack'' as Madhusudhan
# 2015 - '' Soukhyam''
# 2017 - ''Raju Gari Gadhi 2''
# 2019 - ''Saaho''

Kannada

# 1995 - '' Deergha Sumangali''

Hindi

# 2019 - ''Saaho''

Television series

See also

* Kerala Peoples Party

References

External links

*

Devan at MSI

{{DEFAULTSORT:Devan
1952 births
Living people
Male actors from Thrissur
Indian actor-politicians
Malayali politicians
Male actors in Malayalam cinema
Indian male film actors
Bharatiya Janata Party politicians from Kerala
Politicians from Thrissur
20th-century Indian male actors
21st-century Indian male actors
Male actors in Tamil cinema
Indian male television actors
Male actors in Malayalam television
Tamil male television actors
Male actors in Telugu cinema