Kesavan Venugopal (22 May 1948 – 11 October 2021), better known by his stage name Nedumudi Venu, was an Indian actor and screenwriter from Kerala, who predominantly worked in Malayalam cinema. He acted in more than 500 films, primarily in Malayalam and also in Tamil, in a career spanning nearly five decades. He wrote screenplays and directed one film. Nedumudi Venu won three National Film Awards, three Filmfare Award South and six Kerala State Film Awards for his performances in various movies.
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Early life
Venu was born as K. Venugopal at Nedumudi in the Alappuzha district of Kerala to P. K. Kesava Pillai, a schoolmaster, and P. Kunjikkuttiyamma, on 22 May 1948. He was the youngest of five sons born to his parents.
Venu studied at Nair Samajam School in Nedumudi and at St. Mary's School in Champakulam. He then did his B.A. in Malayalam at Sanatana Dharma College, Alappuzha. After graduation, he worked briefly as a journalist at the Kalakaumudi magazine and taught at a tutorial college before moving into theater and movies.
Venu was married to Susheela in 1982. The couple has two sons: Unni and Kannan. Mereena James and Vrindha Nair are his daughters-in-law.
Death
Venu died at KIMS Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on 11 October 2021, at the age of 73. He was receiving treatment for liver cancer prior to his death and died from COVID-19 complications. He also had diabetes, which complicated his condition. He was cremated with full state honours at Santhikavadam Crematorium in Thiruvananthapuram on 12 October 2021.
Awards
National Film Awards
1990 – Best Supporting Actor – His Highness Abdullah
2003 – Special Mention – Margam
2006 – National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Narration / Voice Over – Minukku
Kerala State Film Awards
1980 – Second Best Actor – Chamaram
1981 – Best Actor – Vida Parayum Munpe
1986 - Second Best Actor - Thalavattam
1987 – Best Actor – Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
1990 – Special Jury Award – Bharatham, Santhwanam
1994 – Second Best Actor – Thenmavin Kombath
2003 – Best Actor – Margam
Kerala State Television Awards
2001 - Best Actor : Avasthatarangal
Asianet Film Awards
2005 – Best Supporting Actor Award – Thanmatra
2007 – Best Script Writer Award – Thaniye
2011 – Best Supporting Actor – Best Actor, Elsamma Enna Aankutty
2013 – Best Character Actor – North 24 Kaatham
2015 – Best Villain – Oru Second Class Yathra, Rudra Simhasanam
2017 – Asianet Film Award for Lifetime Achievement
Vanitha Film Awards
2015 – Best Actor In A Negative Role – Oru Second Class Yatra
Filmfare Awards
1981 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam – Vida Parayum Munpe
1987 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam -Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
1997 – Lifetime Achievement Award
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards
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 union for Ragardram (Doordarshan)
2006 – Sathyan Award
2006 – Kalavedi International Prathibha Award was presented at Tagore Theatre, Trivandrum in 2006.
2007 – Bahadoor Award
2008 – Kala Ratnam Award of KALA Abu Dhabi
2011 – Serve India Media Award
2015 – Vanitha Film Award for Best Villain for Oru Second Class Yathra and Rudra Simhasanam
2007 – Saira – Best Actor award at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival