Kesavan Venugopal (22 May 1948 – 11 October 2021), better known by his

stage name A stage name is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individu ...

Nedumudi Venu, was an Indian actor and screenwriter from

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

, who predominantly worked in

Malayalam cinema Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, ''Elippathayam' ...

. He acted in more than 500 films, primarily in

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...

and also in

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia **Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nativ ...

in a career spanning nearly five decades. He wrote screenplays and directed one film. Nedumudi Venu won three

National Film Awards The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorat ...

and six

Kerala State Film Awards The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Cha ...

for his various performances.

Early life

Venu was born as Venugopal to P. K. Kesava Pillai, a school master and P. Kunjikkuttiyamma in

Nedumudi Nedumudi is a village in the Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the birthplace of Malayalam actor Nedumudi Venu. Nedumudi sits on the banks of the river Pamba River, Pamba. It was the first village in Kerala to attain 100% ...

as the youngest of their five children. He had four elder brothers. He had his primary education from NSS Higher Secondary School, Nedumudi, and St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, Champakulam. Venu was married to T. R. Susheela. The couple had two sons: Unni and Kannan.

Death

Venu died at

KIMS Hospital KIMS Hospital is the largest independent private hospital in Kent. It is situated in Maidstone and treats privately insured, self-funding and NHS patients. It is situated on the Kent Medical Campus, off Junction 7 of the M20 Motorway. LycaHealt ...

Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of 957,730 as of 2011. The encompassing urban agglomeration populati ...

on 11 October 2021, at the age of 73. He was receiving treatment for

liver cancer Liver cancer (also known as hepatic cancer, primary hepatic cancer, or primary hepatic malignancy) is cancer that starts in the liver. Liver cancer can be primary (starts in liver) or secondary (meaning cancer which has spread from elsewhere to th ...

prior to his death and died from post COVID-19 complications. He also had

diabetes Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by a high blood sugar level ( hyperglycemia) over a prolonged period of time. Symptoms often include frequent urination, increased thirst and increased ap ...

, 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 The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it has been administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorat ...

* 1990 – Best Supporting Actor – ''

His Highness Abdullah ''His Highness Abdullah'' is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language musical thriller drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu, Gautami, Sreenivasan, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Mamuk ...

'' * 2003 –

Special Mention Special or specials may refer to: Policing * Specials, Ulster Special Constabulary, the Northern Ireland police force * Specials, Special Constable, an auxiliary, volunteer, or temporary; police worker or police officer Literature * ''Specia ...

– ''

Margam Margam is a suburb and community of Port Talbot in the Welsh county borough of Neath Port Talbot, Wales, close to junction 39 of the M4 motorway. The community had a population of 3,017 in 2011; the built up area being larger and extending into T ...

'' * 2006 –

National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Narration / Voice Over The National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Narration / Voice Over is one of the National Film Awards given by Directorate of Film Festivals The Directorate of Film Festivals in India was an organisation that initiated and presented th ...

– ''Minukku''

Kerala State Film Awards The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Cha ...

* 1980 – Second Best Actor – ''

Chamaram ''Chamaram'' is a 1980 Malayalam film written by John Paul Puthusery and directed by Bharathan, starring Nedumudi Venu, Zarina Wahab, Prathap Pothan and Ratheesh. The story is about the tumultuous affair between a student and his college lectu ...

'' * 1981 – Best Actor – ''

Vida Parayum Munpe ''Vida Parayum Munpe'' () is a 1981 Malayalam-language drama film directed by Mohan, written by John Paul and produced by Innocent and David Kachappilli. The film stars Prem Nazir and Nedumudi Venu in lead roles, while Lakshmi, Innocent, Bh ...

'' * 1987 – Best Actor – ''

Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam ''Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam'' () is a 1987 Malayalam-language drama film directed by Bharathan, written by John Paul and produced by M. G. Gopinath and Babu Thiruvalla. The film stars Nedumudi Venu, Sharada and Parvathy in lead roles ...

'' * 1990 – Special Jury Award – ''

Bharatham ''Bharatham'' is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language musical drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu, Lakshmi, and Murali. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his produc ...

'', '' Santhwanam'' * 1994 – Second Best Actor – ''

Thenmavin Kombath ''Thenmavin Kompath'' () is a 1994 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan. It was produced and edited by N. Gopalakrishnan. The film stars Mohanlal, Shobana, and Nedumudi Venu, with Kaviyoor Ponnamma, ...

'' * 2003 – Best Actor – ''

Kerala State Television Awards

* 2001 - Best Actor : ''Avasthatarangal''

Asianet Film Awards The Asianet Film Awards is an award ceremony for films presented annually by Asianet, a Malayalam-language television network from the south-Indian state of Kerala. Asianet says that awards ceremony has been instituted to honour both artis ...

* 2005 – Best Supporting Actor Award – '' Thanmatra'' * 2007 – Best Script Writer Award – ''Thaniye'' * 2011 – Best Supporting Actor – '' Best Actor'', ''

Elsamma Enna Aankutty ''Elsamma Enna Aankutty'' () is a 2010 Malayalam-language romantic comedy film directed by Lal Jose and written by M. Sindhuraj and Sangeeth Kollam starring Kunchacko Boban, Ann Augustine and Indrajith. The film was produced by Rejaputhra Visua ...

'' * 2013 – Best Character Actor – ''

North 24 Kaatham ''North 24 Kaatham'' is a 2013 Indian Malayalam language adventure drama film written and directed by debutant Anil Radhakrishnan Menon. The film features Fahadh Faasil, Nedumudi Venu and Swathi Reddy in the lead roles. The background score is ...

'' * 2015 –

Best Villain Best or The Best may refer to: People * Best (surname), people with the surname Best * Best (footballer, born 1968), retired Portuguese footballer Companies and organizations * Best & Co., an 1879–1971 clothing chain * Best Lock Corporation ...

– ''

Oru Second Class Yathra ''Oru Second Class Yathra'' () is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language comedy thriller drama film, written and directed by Jexson Antony and Rejis Antony in their debut film. Plot Police constables Balagopal (Sreejith Ravi) and Jolly Kurien (Joju ...

'', '' Rudra Simhasanam'' * 2017 – Asianet Film Award for Lifetime Achievement

Vanitha Film Awards The Vanitha Film Awards are presented annually by ''Vanitha'', an Indian magazine from the ''Malayala Manorama'' group in the south Indian state of Kerala. The awards ceremony has been instituted to honour both artistic and technical excellence i ...

2015 – Best Actor In A Negative Role – '' Oru Second Class Yatra''

Filmfare Awards The Filmfare Awards are annual awards that honour artistic and technical excellence in the Hindi-language film industry of India.Al The Filmfare ceremony is one of the most famous film events in India. The awards were first introduced by th ...

* 1981 –

Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam The Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam is an award instituted in 1972, presently annually at the Filmfare Awards South to an actor via a jury. This given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for performers ...

– ''

'' * 1987 –

-''

'' * 1997 –

Lifetime Achievement Award Lifetime achievement awards are awarded by various organizations, to recognize contributions over the whole of a career, rather than or in addition to single contributions. Such awards, and organizations presenting them, include: A * A.C. ...

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards The Kerala Film Critics Association Awards are presented annually by the Kerala Film Critics Association to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in the Malayalam language film industry of India. The awards were instit ...

* 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 University of Kerala, formerly the University of Travancore, is a state-run public university located in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital of Kerala, India. It was established in 1937 by a promulgation of the Maharajah of Travancore, Chit ...

union for ''Ragardram'' (

Doordarshan Doordarshan (abbreviated as DD; Hindi: , ) is an Indian public service broadcaster founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and one of Prasar Bharati's two divisions. One of India's largest bro ...

) * 2006 – Sathyan Award * 2006 – Kalavedi International Prathibha Award was presented at Tagore Theatre, Trivandrum in 2006. * 2007 –

Bahadoor Padiyath Kochumoideen Kunjalu (1930 22 May 2000), known by his stage name Bahadoor, was an Indian actor and comedian who, along with Adoor Bhasi, redefined the way in which comedy and funny scenes were perceived in the Malayalam cinema. They ...

Award * 2008 – Kala Ratnam Award of KALA Abu Dhabi * 2011 – Serve India Media Award * 2015 – Vanitha Film Award for Best Villain for ''

'' and '' Rudra Simhasanam'' * 2007 – '' Saira'' – Best Actor award at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival

References

External links

*
Nedumudi Venu at MSI
{{DEFAULTSORT:Venu, Nedumudi 1948 births 2021 deaths Indian male film actors Male actors from Alappuzha Kerala State Film Award winners Male actors in Malayalam cinema Tamil male actors Filmfare Awards South winners Best Supporting Actor National Film Award winners 20th-century Indian male actors 21st-century Indian male actors Malayalam film directors Malayalam screenwriters Film directors from Kerala Indian male television actors Male actors in Hindi cinema Screenwriters from Kerala Special Mention (feature film) National Film Award winners People from Alappuzha district Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India