Thilakan

Thilakan
Born Palapurath Surendranatha Thilakan
(1935-06-15)15 June 1935
Ayroor,[1]Travancore, Indian Empire
Died 24 September 2012(2012-09-24) (aged 77)
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Nationality Indian
Years active 1956–1978 (stage)
1972, 1979–2012 (film)
Notable work Yavanika (1982)
Panchagni (1986)
Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
Dhwani (1988)
Moonnam pakkam (1988)
Hrithubhedam (1988)
kireedam (1989)
Perumthachan (1990)
Gamanam (1994)
Partner(s) Shanta, Sarojam
Children
  • Shaji (Son)
  • Shammi (Son)
  • Shobi (Son)
  • Sophia (Daughter)
  • Shibu (Son)
  • Sonia (Daughter)
Awards 2009 Padma Shri
Best Supporting Actor
1988 Hrithubhedam
Special Jury
2007 Ekantham

Considered one of the best actors in India Surendranatha Thilakan (15 July 1935 – 24 September 2012) was an Indian film and stage actor who appeared in over 200 Malayalam films.[2][3][4] Acclaimed as one of the finest actors, he has won 3 National Film Awards and 11 Kerala State Film Awards. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 2009 for his contributions towards the arts.[5] He died on 24 September 2012 at the age of 77.[6][7][8]

Career

Early performances

Thilakan started his full-time career in acting after leaving college in the year 1956. During this period he and several friends formed a drama troupe called the Mundakayam Nataka Samithy in Mundakayam, where his father was working as an estate supervisor. He worked with the 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.

Cinema

Thilakan began his career in cinema with a role in the P. J. Antony-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 Kerala State Film Awards in 1982 for his role in Yavanika.

In 1988, he received the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Rithubhedam, and again in 1994. In 1998, he won State awards for Santhanagopalam and Gamanam. He was strongly favored[9] to get another National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the movie Perumthachan, but the award was given to Amitabh Bachchan over Thilakan amidst suspicions of strong lobbying, as Amitabh had announced his retirement earlier that year.[9] The film Kireedam was a milestone in Thilakan's career; in this film, he portrayed a helpless policeman silently watching the fate of his son, played by Mohanlal, who was corrupted by society's influences. In 1989 he performed in 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 Nadodikkattu, from which several of Thilakan's lines became very popular. In 1993 he continued his role as the father of Sethu Madhavan (Mohanlal) in the movie Chenkol. Unlike its prequel Kireedam, this movie failed both commercially and critically. 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. In 1998, he played the role of Dileep's father in the superhit Meenathil Thalikettu, and 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 Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala. Other notable films Thilakan has acted in include Moonnam Pakkam, Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal, Mookkilla Rajyathu, Randam Bhavam, Kaattu Kuthira and Yavanika.

He has also acted in other South Indian languages, such as Tamil and Telugu (in "Palanati Brahmanaidu").

Thilakan has portrayed a range of characters; however, his most well-known role is that of the father of Mohanlal, portraying a father-son duo. Movies where he donned this role include Kireedam, Sphadikam, Narasimham, Evidam Swargamanu, Pavithram and Chenkol. He has also played father roles to other popular actors, including with Mammootty in Sangham, The Truth, No. 1 Snehatheeram Banglore North and Pallavur Devanarayanan, with Jayaram in Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal and Sandesam, with Dileep in Meenathil Thaalikettu, with Kunchacko Boban in Aniyathi Pravu and with Prithviraj in Sathyam. He has also played a number of antagonists, such as in Randam Bhavam, Karma and Kaalal Pada. He has played comical roles in films like Nadodikkattu and Pattanapravesham (as a coward underworld don), Mookkilla Rajyathu (as a break-out from a mental hospital), Kuttettan (as a pimp) and Naaduvazhikal (as a good-for-nothing, vain person), and played lead roles in Ekantham, Perumthachan, Santhanagopalam, Kaattukuthira, My Dear Muthachan, Mukhamudra (double role), etc.

In 2006, he was seen in the Suresh Gopi-Shaji Kailas blockbuster, Chinthamani Kolacase, where he played the father of the title character Chinthamani enacted by Bhavana (Malayalam actress). In 2007, he acted in Ekantham, for which he received a special mention from the jury.[10] In 2009, he was also seen in Pazhassi Raja, and in the same year he played Mohanlal's father one last time in the actor's 300th movie Evidam Swargamanu. In 2011, he played a significant role in the Prithviraj blockbuster Indian Rupee directed by Renjith. In 2012, he played the role of Kareem Bhai in Ustad Hotel and as the grandfather of Faizy, acted by Dulquer Salmaan.

Controversies

Thilakan almost won the national award for best actor for Perumthachan, Ashokh kumar the jury chairman was keen on giving him the award.Rajiv Gandhi wanted the award given to Amithab Bachchan to woo him to congress. He wanted Bachchan to woo the voters and so wanted to keep bachchan happy by conferring a national award on him.The award went to Bachchan.

In February 2010, it was reported that the producer of the movie Christian Brothers excluded Thilakan from the film at the request of the FEFKA, the predominant film technicians association. Thilakan had been earlier signed for a role in the film. The exclusion was reportedly due to Thilakan acting in a film by director Vinayan, who till recently headed the rival association MACTA. On 3 February 2010, Thilakan publicly protested against the unofficial ban enforced on him by FEFKA and blamed FEFKA for engineering the ban. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) issued a show cause notice to Thilakan for bringing the issue into the public domain. Thilakan accused AMMA, of which he too is a member.[11][12] On 20 February 2010 the CPI's trade union wing, AITUC, came out openly in support of Thilakan, while a senior party leader and Rajya Sabha member K. E. Ismail expressed reservations about political involvement in the issue.[13]

Thilakan was originally cast to play a role in a UAE-Indian co-production film Dam 999.[14] He was later replaced following a notice from FEFKA stating that the association would boycott the film if Thilakan were to act. Sohan, the director, was forced to seek for a substitute for Thilakan when it "came to the point that shooting might be disrupted."[15] Eventually, Rajit Kapur was cast instead of Thilakan.[16] Some reports contended that Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) also had intervened in Thilakan's replacement.[16] In response, Thilakan and his supporters orchestrated a march near the shooting location of the film in Alappuzha.[17]

Personal life

Thilakan was the second of the six children of Palapurath T. S. Keshavan (1904-1972) and Devayani (1912-2010). Thilakan was born in Plankamon, Ayroor Panchayat in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. He had his primary education from Asan Pallikoodam, Manikkal and St. Louis Catholic School, Nalamvayal and Sree Narayana College, Kollam Thilakan lived in Plankamon until he started acting in movies with which he moved to Ernakulam. Thilakan's first partner was actress Santha with whom he appeared in several productions. Thilakan and Santha had three children Shaji Thilakan, Shammi Thilakan and Shoby Thilakan. Later, he had a second partner, his co-artist Sarojam with whom he had a son, Shibu Thilakan, and two daughters Dr. Sonia Thilakan and Sophia Ajith.

Thilakan was a staunch atheist throughout his life, and was a supporter of CPI (M). He was a member of many drama troupes which actively promoted Communism in Kerala. When he died, his body was draped with CPI (M) flag.

Death

Thilakan was admitted to Jubilee Mission Hospital in Thrissur on 1 August 2012 after he collapsed during the shooting of the film Scene Onnu Nammude Veedu. He was then shifted to KIMS Hospital, Trivandrum and was in critical condition after suffering two heart attacks. Besides having cardiac problems, Thilakan was suffering from pneumonia. He was put on a ventilator and died on 24 September 2012.[18] He was cremated with full state honours at Thycaud Shanthikavadam crematorium. He is survived by both his partners, six children - four sons and two daughters, and many grandchildren.

Awards

Civilian awards

National Film Awards:

Kerala State Film Awards:

Filmfare Awards South
Other awards
  • 2010 - Bharath Gopi Award[20]
  • 2001 - Asianet Film Award for Lifetime Achievement

Filmography

Malayalam films

  1. *Kisan (2006)...Muthassan
  • Chinthamani Kolacase (2006) .... Veeramani Varier
  • Nerariyan CBI (a.k.a. Oru CBI Diary Kurippu: Part IV) (2005) .... Kapra
  • Isra(2005)... Baba
  • Mayookham (2005)
  • The Tiger (2005)
  1. *OK Chacko Cochin Mumbai (2005)...Chacko Bhai
  1. *Harbour (1996)...Pattalam Pappachan
  • Kathil Oru Kinnaram (1996) .... Unnithan
  • Yuvathurki (1996)
  • Karma (1995)
  • Peterscott (1995)
  • Sphadikam (1995) .... Chacko Master
  • Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njanum (1995)
  • Thacholi Varghese Chekavar (1995) .... Avarachan
  • Chukkan (1994) .... Sankaran
  • Gamanam (1994)..... Cheriyachan
  • Kinnaripuzhayoram (1994)
  • Kudumba Visesham (1994) .... Madhavan Nair
  • Minnaram (1994) .... Rtd Judge Mathews
  • Pakshe (1994) .... Mohan Lal's father-in-law
  • Pavithram (1994) .... Easwara Pillai
  • Pingami (1994) .... Kumaran
  • Agrajan (1994) ....
  • Santhanagopalam (1994)
  • Vendor Daniel State Licency (1994) .... Vendor Daniel
  • Aagneyam (1993) .... Velu Asan
  • Ammayana Sathyam (1993) .... R. Varghese Mathew
  • Chenkol (1993) .... Sethu's father
  • Ente Sreekuttikku (1993)
  • MayaMayooram (1993)
  • Janam (1993).... D.G.P Thomas Mathew
  • Aacharyan (1993) ..... Menon
  • Ghoshayathra (1993)..... Moideen Haji
  • Kalippattam (1993) .... Urvashi's father
  • Manichithrathazhu (1993) .... Brahmadattan Nampoothirippadu
  • Bandhukkal Shathrukkal (1993)
  • Samagamam (1993) .... Pallivathukkal Kariyachan
  • Kauravar (1992) .... Aliyar
  • Daivathinte Vikrithikal (1992) .... Kumaran
  • Ezhara Ponnana (1992) .... Madhava Menon
  • My Dear Muthachan (1992) .... Parameswaran
  • Sadhyam (1992)
  • Swaroopam (1992)
  • Mahanagaram (1992)...
  • Mukhamudra (1992)... Double role
  • Dhanam (1991)
  • Georgekutty C/O Georgekutty (1991) .... Sunitha'sFather Itichen
  • Godfather (1991) .... Balaraman (elder son of Anjooran)
  • Kadavu (a.k.a. The Ferry) (1991)
  • Kilukkam (1991) .... Judge Nambiar
  • Mookilla Rajyathu (1991)
  • Sandesam (1991) .... Raghavan Nair
  • Venal Kinavukal (1991) .... Gopalakrishnan Nair
  • Kuttettan (1990) .... Thomas Chacko
  • Oliyampukal (1990) .... John Mathew
  • Mathilukal (a.k.a. The Walls) (1990)
  • Ee Kannikoodi (1990) .... Simon
  • Kattu Kuthira (1990) .... Kochuvava
  • Maala Yogam (1990) .... Mukesh's father
  • Perumthachan (a.k.a. The Master Carpenter) (1990) .... Raman
  • Radha Madhavam (1990)
  • Rajavazhcha (1990) .... Madhava Panikkar
  • Sasneham (1990) .... Retired Stationmaster
  • Vachanam (1989) .... Police Officer
  • Adharvam (1989) .... Mekkadan
  • Chakkikotha Chankaran (1989) .... Raghavan Thampi
  • Chanakyan (1989) .... Madhava Menon
  • Jathakam (1989) .... Appukuttan Nair
  • Jaithra Yathra (1989) ..... Prof. Banerjee
  • Kaalal Pada (1989)
  • Varnatheru (1989) ..... Rohini's Father
  • Kireedam (1989) .... Achuthan Nair (Sethu's father)
  • Naaduvazhikal (1989) .... Shankaran
  • Varavelppu (1989) .... Ramakrishnan
  • Varnam (1989) .... Major M. K. Nair
  • Kandathum Kettathum(1989)...
  • Ammavanu Pattiya Ammalli (1989)... Menon
  • Dhwani (1988) .... Vettukuzhi
  • Kudumba Puranam (1988) .... Sankaran Nair
  • Moonnam Pakkam (1988) .... Muthachan
  • Pattana Pravesham (1988) .... Ananthan Nambiar
  • Witness (1988) .... Vikraman Nair
  • Mukthi (1988) .... Drunkard
  • Kanakambarangal (1988) .... S.I Thomas George
  • Onninu Purake Mattonnu (1988) .... Velu
  • Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
  • Achuvettante Veedu (1987) .... Damodaran Nair
  • Amritamgamaya (1987) .... Kurup
  • Manja Manthrangal (1987) .... Mathew Paul
  • Nadodikkattu (1987) .... Ananthan Nambiar
  • Sruthi (1987) .... Aasan
  • Aalippazhangal (1987) .... Padmanabhan Thampi
  • Idanaazhiyil Oru Kaalocha (1987).... Father Dennis
  • Vilambaram (1987) .... James
  • Kadhakku Pinnil (1987) .... Kunjipalu
  • Ritubhetham (1987) .... Achunni Nair
  • Vrutham (1987) .... Chacko
  • Kalam Mari Katha Mari (1987) .... Hameed
  • Eennu Nathante Nimmi' (1986) .... Police Inspector
  • Pranamam (1986) .... Aparna's Father
  • Ee Kaikalil (1986) .... Ummachan
  • Gandhinagar 2nd Street (1986) .... Maya's Father
  • Ithile Iniyum Varu]] (1986) .... Kaimal
  • Ennennum Kannettante (1986)
  • Chilambu (1986) .... Appu Nair
  • Rareeram (1986) .... Doctor Tharakan
  • Oru Yugasandhya(1986).... Shanmugam
  • Irakal (1986) .... Mathukutty
  • Kunjattakilikal (1986) .... Ayyappan Nair
  • Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (1986) .... Sofia's Stepfather
  • Oridathu (1986) .... Raman
  • Panchagni (1986) .... Raman
  • Akalangalil (1986) ....
  • Pappan Priyappetta Pappan (1986)
  • Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam (1986) .... Damodaran
  • Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar (1985) .... Krishna Pillai
  • Yathra (a.k.a. Yaatra) (1985) .... Jailor
  • Ente Kanakkuyil (a.k.a. Ente Kanakuyil) (1985) .... Kuttan Nair
  • Ayanam (1985) .... Priest
  • Anu Bandham (a.k.a. Anubandham) (1985) .... Menon
  • Aram + Aram = Kinnaram (1985) .... M.N.Nambiar
  • Koodum Thedi (1985) .... Priest
  • Noketha Doorathu kannum Nattu (1985)
  • Thammil Thammil (1985) ....
  • Ambada Njane (1985) .... Padmanabhan
  • Upaharam(1985).... Divakaran
  • Akalathe Ambili (1985) .... Kichettan
  • Iniyum Katha Thudarum (1985)
  • Katha Ithuvare (1985)
  • Oru Kuda Keezil (1985) .... Kuruppu
  • Akkachide Kunjuvava (1985) ....
  • Mukhyamanthri(1985)
  • Vasantha Sena (1985) .... Unnithan
  • Uyarangalil (1984) .... Police C.I
  • Aattuvanchi Ulanjappol (1984) .... Karunakaran Nair
  • Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla (1984) .... Bhargavan Pillai
  • Engane Undasane (1984)
  • Koottinilamkili (1984) .... Devasya
  • Onnanu Nammal (1984) .... Sethu's father
  • Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha (1984) .... Mammukka
  • Panchavadi Palam (1984).... Ishak Tharakan
  • Adaminte Variyellu (a.k.a. Adam's Rib) (1983) .... Purushothaman Nair
  • Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku (1983) .... Fr. Joseph Sebastian
  • Prasnam Gurutharam (1983) .... Mohan's father
  • Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla (1983) .... Home minister
  • Asthi (1983) ....Factory worker
  • Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flash Back (1983) ....
  • Chiriyo chiri.... Film Producer
  • Yavanika (a.k.a. The Curtain Falls) (1982) (as Tilakan) .... Vakkachan
  • Kolangal (a.k.a. Caricatures) (1981) .... Varkey
  • Ulkadal (1979) .... Rahulan's father
  • Gandharavakshetram (1972)...Guest at Satheeshan's house
  • Periyar (1972)...

Tamil films

Telugu films

As a dubbing artist

Television serials

TV shows

Show (Title) Network Directed
Mannu DD
Kadamathathu Kathanar Asianet
Swami Ayyappan Asianet
Sree Ayyappanum Vavarum Surya TV
Peythozhiyaathe Surya TV K.K Rajeev

References

  1. ↑ Movie | Thilakan - The Unique Style of Acting. Manorama Online.
  2. ↑ The Indian Express. "Malayalam actor Thilakan dead". Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  3. ↑ Thilakan:Profile And Biography, Malayalam Movie Actor Thilakan latest Photo Gallery | Video Gallery, Malayalam Movie Actor Thilakan, Thilakan Filimography, Thilakan Films and Cinemas, Thilakan Awards And Nominations Archived 10 September 2012 at Archive.is. Metromatinee.com.
  4. ↑ 'The Malayalam superstars are highly insecure'. Rediff.com (31 December 2004).
  5. ↑ Padma Awards announced, Press Information Bureau
  6. ↑ Zee News. "Veteran malayalam actor thilakan passed away". Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  7. ↑ Veteran Malayalam actor Thilakan dead. Tdnpost.com (24 September 2012).
  8. ↑ The Hindu. "Thilakan critical". Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Interview with Thilakan".
  10. ↑ "54th National Film awards" (PDF). Press Information Bureau (PIB), Govt of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  11. ↑ Gulf Times – Qatar’s top-selling English daily newspaper - India Archived 14 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine.
  12. ↑ The Times of India https://web.archive.org/web/20100221185028/http://movies.indiatimes.com/News-Gossip/Regional-/Malayalam/Thilakan-protests-Malayalam-film-body-demands-apology/articleshow/5554845.cms. Archived from the original on 2010-02-21. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  13. ↑ http://www.ptinews.com/news/527887_Thilakan-issue-spills-on-to-political-domain
  14. ↑ "Thilakan to enter Hollywood". One India. 3 February 2009. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012.
  15. ↑ "It's official; Thilakan is out of Dam 999". Nowrunning. 1 March 2010.
  16. 1 2 "Rajath Kapoor replaces Thilakan in Dam 999". One India. 11 March 2010. Archived from the original on 20 February 2013.
  17. ↑ "Malayalam film body gives Thilakan another chance". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 March 2010.
  18. ↑ Malayalam thespian Thilakan dead. The Hindu (24 September 2012).
  19. ↑ "The 59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011(South)". The Times of India. 8 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  20. ↑ "Bharat Gopi Award for Thilakan". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 9 June 2010.
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