Veteran actor G.K. Pillai passes away

Noted veteran actor G.K. Pillai, who hogged the limelight with his onscreen villain characters during the black and white era, died at his house at Edava in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. The thespian was 97.

Born at Chirayinkeezhu in 1924, Pillai (G. Kesavapillai) joined the army at the age of 15. His camaraderie with legendry actor Prem Nazir paved the way for his entry into films. He made his acting debut in 1954 in the film ‘Snehaseema’. Pillai has acted in more than 325 films and a host of television soap operas.

As a merciless villain in films, he was active in movies till the end of 1980’s. his major films include ‘Aswametham’, ‘Aromal Unni’, ‘Thumbolarcha’, ‘Light House’, ‘Nairu Pidicha Pulivaalu’, ‘Kannur Deluxe’, ‘Choola’, ‘Cochin Express;, ‘Aanakkalari’ and ‘Kaarysthan’ etc. His wife passed away a few years ago. The actor has three sons and three daughter