Nedumudi Venu

Actor · 1948–2021 · Nedumudi, Alappuzha, Kerala, India

Biography

Kesavan Venu Gopal, known popularly by his stage name Nedumudi Venu, was an Indian actor, writer and director. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema. Venu was born as Venugopal to P. K. Kesavan Nair-a school master- and P. Kunjikkuttiyamma in Nedumudi, Alappuzha as the youngest of their five children. He has four elder brothers. He had his primary education from N S S Higher Secondary School, Nedumudi, and St. Mary's Higher Secondary School,Champakulam. He was involved in art and music since his academic period. After graduating from Sanatana Dharma College, Alappuzha, he worked as a journalist in Kalakaumudi and as a teacher in a tutorial institute. Venu was living in Thiruvananthapuram when he made friends with the likes of Aravindan, Padmarajan, and Bharath Gopi. This ultimately paved way for his film career. He is a talented Mridangam player. Venu started his career in theater and went on to act in films. He was a member of Kavalam Narayana Panicker's dramas. He debuted in the film Thambu (1978) by director G. Aravindan. His acting skills were showcased in the Bharathan film Aaravam. Padmarajan's Oridathoru Phayalwan and Kallan Pavithran set a milestone for him. It marked his start in karanavar (head of the family) roles, which included most of his memorable performances. Venu also wrote scripts for movies. He wrote the stories for the films Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Theertham, Sruthi, Ambada Njane, Oru Katha Oru Nunnakkatha, Savidham, and Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu. He also tried his hand in direction with Pooram. He has also acted in a few Tamil films with director Shankar, such as Kamal Hasan's Indian and Vikram's Anniyan. Venu has also acted in some television serials. He acted in NFDC film Parinamam (The Change), directed by P. Venu that won the best screenplay award at the Ashdod International Film Festival held in Israel. He won the Best Actor award for his role in Saira at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival which concluded in September 2007; Saira was the only film from India to be included in the festival. The committee mentioned that he acted compellingly and convincingly in his portrayal of a man caught between secularism and fundamentalism.

Acted in 384

2020s

2024
Manorathangal
Madhavan Mash · 1 episode
Indian 2: Zero Tolerance
Krishnasamy
31
2022
Centimeter
Movie
Jack N Jill
Retd. Colonel Nair
Puzhu
Mohan
Bheeshma Parvam
Iravippilla
Aaraattu
Sreedharan Master
2021
Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea
Samoothiri
58
Navarasa
Principal · 1 episode
57
Aanum Pennum
Vasudevan
Yuvam
Judge Ramakrishnan

2010s

2019
Thakkol
Movie
Thelivu
Damodara Panicker
Chila NewGen Nattuvisheshangal
Karnavar
A for Apple
Movie
Shubharathri
Movie
Kanchana 3
Kaali’s Father
Madura Raja
Madhavan Nair
58
Vaarikkuzhiyile Kolapathakam
Kurukkan Ponnappan
Sarvam Thaala Mayam
Vembu Iyer
Panthu
Movie
2018
Thattumpurath Achuthan
Gangadharan
Joseph
Adv. Srinivasan
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan
Adv. Santhosh Narayan
Johny Johny Yes Appa
Adv. Louis
Oru Kuttanadan Blog
Vasudeva Kaimal
Kammara Sambhavam
Selvan Moopan
70
Khaleefa
Movie
Carbon
Basheer
Daivame Kaithozham K.Kumar Akanam
God
DiwanjiMoola Grand Prix
Davis
2017
Udaharanam Sujatha
George Paul
Pokkiri Simon
Prof. Seetha Raman
Oru Visheshapetta Biriyani Kissa
Krishnan Nair
Avarude Raavukal
Scobo Jhons
2016
Buddhanum Chaplinum Chirikkunnu
Movie
Ishti
Ramavikraman Namboodiri
Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho
Appooppan
Oppam
Justice Krishnamoorthy
Once Again
Pappu Pilla
Kadhantharam
Rajaram
Pavada
Pillai
2015
Charlie
Kunjappan
Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal
Chief Editor
Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi
CKAK Menon
Names Unknown
Work Shop Master
Rudra Simhasanam
Shivathanu
Nirnayakam
Venukuttan Nair
Oru Second Class Yathra
Narayanan
Alif
Kunjammadu Sahib
Rasam
Valliyottu Thirumeni
2014
Aamayum Muyalum
Kashi
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Bahadur
Ottamandaram
Movie
Homely Meals
Father Dixon
61
Villali Veeran
Damodharji
Sapthamashree Thaskaraha
Nobilettan
Munnariyippu
Rama Moorthy
Law Point
Ramakrishnan
To Noora with Love
Movie
Mosayile Kuthira Meenukal
Kuriachen
Gamer
Gamer
2013
Nadodimannan
Thiruvithamkodu Thirumanassu
North 24 Kaatham
Gopalettan
Sringaravelan
Varmaji, Radha's Grand father
Memories
Father John
Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty
Thomas
Tourist Home
Movie
Money Back Policy
Onachan
Orissa
Movie
Sound Thoma
Manikunju
Immanuel
Jabbar
Celluloid
Subramaniam
Isaac Newton S/O Philipose
Philipose
2012
Puthiya Theerangal
K.P./ Advocate Immanuel / Kurian Paulose / Kumara Panickker
Bhoopadathil Illatha Oridam
Panchayat president
Friday
Purushothaman
Mr. Marumakan
Rajagopalan Thampy
Graamam
Govindankutty Maashu
Akashathinte Niram
Old Man
Vadhiyar
Movie
Thiruvambadi Thamban
Kunjoonju
Hero
Thankachan, Antony's father
Mayamohini
Sankaran Potti
The King & The Commissioner
Dr. E. K. Sudharshan
Achante Aanmakkal
Madhava Menon
Unnam
Murugan
2011
Arabeem Ottakom P. Madhavan Nayarum in Oru Marubhoomi Kadha
Thoma
Doctor Love
Gauri's father
Teja Bhai and Family
Movie
Orma Mathram
Samson
Collector
Mahendra Varma
Violin
Doctor
Adaminte Makan Abu
Govindan Master
Manikyakallu
Head master
August 15
V. G. Sadasivan
Living Together
Vasudevan Kartha
Arjunan Saakshi
P.K Nambiithiri
2010
Best Actor
Denver Aashan
Pathinonnil Vyazham
Kizhakkedan Narayanan
Elsamma Enna Aankutty
Kunnel Pappan
Pattinte Palazhi
Ustaad
Raama Raavanan
Annadurai
Penpattanam
Unnithan Muthalali
Sakudumbam Shyamala
Shekaran IAS
Malarvaadi Arts Club
Kumaran
Oru Naal Varum
Havildar Vasudevan
50
Alexander The Great
Dr. Korah
Pokkiri Raja
Madhavan Nair
Pulliman
Raman
In Ghost House Inn
Father Dominic
Punyam Aham
Kaarackal Easwaran Namboodiri