Adieu to Nedumudi Venu

Actor Nedumudi Venu, who enthralled film as well as art enthusiasts for more than five decades with wide range of characters, breathed his last at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram today. The veteran actor was 73.

Venu was admitted to hospital after he complained of uneasiness yesterday. His end came today afternoon. Born in 1948 at Nedumudi in Alappuzha, Venu alias K Venugopalan began his career as a journalist in Kalakaumudi. Later, he made his film debut in the movie ‘Oru Sundariyude Kadha’. His association with directors Padmarajan, Aravindan and actor ‘Bharath’ Gopi changed the performer in him. In 1978, Venu made a significant role in Arvaindan’s ‘Thambu’. After his role in Bharathan’s ‘Aaravam’, there was no looking back for the talented artiste.

Nedumudi Venu in Kallan Pavithran

Venu was also active in drama field and his association with poet and dramatist Kavalam Narayanappanicker made ripples in the theatre history of Kerala. his major Malayalam films include ‘Appunni’, ‘Chithram’, ‘Kallan Pavithran’, ‘Mangalam Nerunnu’, ‘Oru Minnaminunginte Nurungu Vettam’, ‘Keli’, ‘His Highness Abdulla’, ‘Bharatham’, ‘Chillu’, ‘Yavanika’, ‘Sargam’, ‘Perumthachan’, ‘Aaranyakam’, ‘Oridathu’, ‘Vandanam’ and ‘Marakkar Arabikkadalinte Singham’ etc.

Nedumudi Venu in His Highness Abdulla

Venu has also acted in a few Tamil films that include ‘Indian’, ‘Anyan’, ‘Silambattam’, ‘Indian 2’ and ‘Sarvam Thalamayam’ etc. He has written scripts for films such as ‘Kaattathe Kilikkoodu’, ‘Savidham’, ‘Oru Kadha Nunakkadha’ and ‘Sruthi’. Venu has directed the film ‘Pooram’, which marked the Malayalam debut of actress Maathu.

Nedumudi Venu in Perundachan

He won the National Award three times and State award six times. The thespian is survived by wife TR Susheela and sons Unni Gopal and Kannan Gopal.

Nedumudi Venu Pictures