Nedumudi Venu

Kesavan Venu Gopal (born 22 May 1948), known popularly by his stage name Nedumudi Venu, is an Indian film actor from Kerala. Widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema, he has also written screenplays and has directed one film.

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.

He is married to T. R. Susheela. The couple have two sons, Unni and Kannan.

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.

National Film Awards:

• 1990 - Best Supporting Actor - His Highness Abdullah
• 2003 - Special Jury Award - 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 - Vidaparayum munpe
• 1987 - Best Actor - Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
• 1990 - Special Jury Award - Bharatham, Santhwanam
• 1994 - Second Best Actor - Thenmavin Kombath
• 2003 - Best Actor - Margam

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

Filmfare Awards

• 1981 - Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam - Vida Parayum Munpe
• 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

Film festivals

• 2003 - Arimpara at the cannes International Film Festival & other filim festivals
• 2005 - Margam at the Havana International Film Festival
• 2007 - Saira - Best Actor Award at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival

• "'Thaniye' awards". ArtKerala.com. 
• "TV Award for Nedumudi". The Hindu. 1 March 2004. Retrieved 11 August 2011. 
• "Sathyan Award presented". The Hindu. 10 November 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2011. 
• "Bahadur Award for Nedumudi". The Hindu. 22 April 2007. Retrieved 11 August 2011. 

Malayalam

• 2016 "Oppam"
• 2016 "Paavada"
• 2015 "Charlie"
• 2015 "Birds With Large Wings"
• 2015 "Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi"
• 2015 "Nirnayakam"
• 2015 "Rudrasimhasanam"
• 2015 "Oru Second Class Yathra"
• 2015 "Saaradhi"
• 2015 "Rasam"
• 2015 Alif ....Kunju Moideen Saheb
• 2014 Villali Veeran
• 2014 "Lal Bahadur Shastri (film) " .......Bahadur
• 2014 "Munnariyippu"
• 2014 "Sapthamashree Thaskaraha" .......Nobiletten
• 2014 "Mosayile Kuthira Meenukal"
• 2014 Buddhan Chirikkunnu
• 2014 Law Point .... Ramakrishnan
• 2013 Memories.... Father John
• 2013 North 24 Kaatham
• 2013 Nadodimannan .... Thiruvitham kodu Thirumanassu
• 2013 Sringaravelan .... Varmaji
• 2013 Immanuel
• 2013 Sound Thoma
• 2013 Kadal Kadannoru Mathukkutty
• 2013 Money Back Policy..... Onachan
• 2013 Isaac Newton S/O Philipose-Philipose
• 2012 Puthiya Theerangal
• 2012 Ithra Mathram
• 2012 Bhoopadathil Illatha Oridam-Panchayat President
• 2012 Friday-Purushothaman
• 2012 Mr. Marumakan-Rajagopalan Thampy
• 2012 Mayamohini
• 2012 Gramam ....Govindankutty Maashu
• 2012 Akasathinte Niram-Old Man
• 2012 Vaadhyar
• 2012 Thiruvambadi Thamban-Kunjoonju
• 2012 Hero-Thankachan
• 2012 The King & the Commissioner-Padmabhooshan Dr. E.K.Sudharshan
• 2012 Achante Aanmakkal-Madhava Menon
• 2012 Njanum Ente Familiyum
• 2012 Unnam-Murugan
• 2011 Arabeem, Ottakom, P. Madhavan Nayarum in Oru Marubhoomikkadha-Thoma
• 2011 Manikiakkallu-Head Master Kurupu
• 2011 August 15 - Chief Minister
• 2011 Arjunan Sakshi - Editor
• 2011 Teja Bhai & Family -
• 2010 Best Actor - denwar Ashan
• 2010 Sakudumbam Shyamala
• 2010 Penpattanam - Unnithan
• 2010 Pathinonnil Vyazham - Kizhakkedam
• 2010 Malarvadi Arts Club
• 2010 Elsamma Enna Aankutty
• 2010 Pokkiri Raja
• 2010 In Ghost House Inn - Father Dominic
• 2009 Bhagyadevatha - Tourist guide
• 2009 Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded - Chief Minister
• 2009 Puthiya Mukham
• 2009 Love In Singapore .... Andrews Perera
• 2008 College Kumaran.... Shivaraman Nair
• 2008 Chandranilekkoru Vazhi .... Kaitharam Kumaran
• 2007 Black Cat ... Pathrose
• 2007 Changathipoocha.... Sreedharan Nair
• 2007 Indrajith.... Madhavan
• 2007 Khaki.... Balakrishnan Nair
• 2007 Ayurrekha..... Captain
• 2006 Prajapathi .... Kujambu Nair
• 2006 Rashtram....Janardhana Kuruppu
• 2006 Pothenvava - Vishnu narayana Namboodri
• 2006 Nottam - Vasudeva Chakyar
• 2005 Thanmathra - Krishnan Nair
• 2005 Mayookham
• 2005 Anandabhadram
• 2005 Ponmudipuzhayorathu .... Muthappan
• 2005 Finger Prints - Rama Varma Thampuran
• 2005 Ee Snehatheerathu - Sashtri
• 2004 Amrutham - Jayaram's father
• 2004 Maampazhakkaalam - Raghavan Mash
• 2004 Yanam - Fr. Thomas
• 2004 Vettam - Retd D.G.P
• 2004 Jalolsavam - Alackal Govindan
• 2004 Vismayathumbathu - Dr. Sunny Joseph
• 2003 Manassinakkare - Kuriakose
• 2003 Margam (The Path) - Venukumara Menon
• 2003 Parinamam(The Change) - Damodaran Nambeeshan
• 2003 Balettan - Balachandrans Father
• 2003 Arimpara
• 2003 Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum - Child psychiatrist
• 2003 Thilakkam - Padmanabhan Master
• 2003 Mr. Brahmachari - Sekharan Thampi
• 2002 Yathrakarude Sradhakku - Viswanathan
• 2002 Nizhalkkuthu (Le Serviteur de Kali, Shadow Kill) - Jailer
• 2002 Chathurangam - Mathew Varghese
• 2002 Kanmashi - Menon
• 2002 Mazhathullikkilukkam - Fr. Palackal
• 2002 Phantom
• 2002 Thandavam - Swaminathan
• 2001 Ishtam - Krishnankutty Menon
• 2001 Kakkakuyil - Blind Thampuran
• 2001 Ladies & Gentlemen
• 2001 Randam Bhavam
• 2001 Jeevan Masai.... Jeevan Masai
• 2001 Saivar Thirumeni
• 2000 Cover Story - Retired judge
• 2000 Dada Sahib
• 2000 Anamuttathe Angalamar.... Shivasankara Menon
• 2000 Susanna....Colonel Ramachandran Nair
• 2000 Life Is Beautiful - Principal
• 2000 Madhuranombarakattu
• 2000 Mr. Butler
• 1999 Megham
• 1999 Stalin Sivadas .... C.G
• 1999 Pallavur Devanarayanan - Aasan
• 1999 Pranaya Nilavu - Madhavan Nair
• 1999 Thachiledathu Chundan - Vasukutty
• 1999 Devadasi - Deva Ravu
• 1999 Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal - Aravindan
• 1998 Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala - Headmaster
• 1998 Daya - The King
• 1998 Harikrishnans - Thampuran
• 1998 Rektha Sakshikal Zindabad
• 1998 Sidhartha - Karunakara Menon
• 1998 Sundarakilladi - Village head
• 1997 Chandralekha - Chandra's father
• 1997 Churam - Balagopalan
• 1997 Etha Oru Snehagatha
• 1997 Guru
• 1997 Karunyam - Sukumaran
• 1997 Manasam - Menon
• 1997 Manthramothiram - Warrior
• 1997 Oru Yaatra Mozhi
• 1997 Poonilamazha
• 1997 Superman - Raman Nair
• 1996 Kala Pani (Saza-E-Kala, Sirai Chaalai) - Sreekandan Nair
• 1996 Devaragam
• 1995 Ormmakalalundayirikanam (Memories and Desires) - Jayan's father
• 1995 Kazhakam - Temple guardian
• 1995 Manikya Chempazhukka - Bharathan
• 1995 Nirnayam - Fr. Thayyil
• 1995 Sphadikam - Ravunni Master
• 1995 Sreeragam
• 1995 Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njanum
• 1995 Thacholi Varghese Chekavar
• 1995 Alamcheri Thamprakkal
• 1994 Sammohanam - Ummini
• 1994 Mogha Mull - Ranganna
• 1994 Pavithram - Warrior
• 1994 Rajadhani - Sarvodhayam Panikkar
• 1994 Chanakya Soothrangal .... P N Venugopala Varma
• 1994 Sudha Mathalam
• 1994 Thenmavin Kombath - Sreekrishnan
• 1993 Aagneyam - Mathew Stephen
• 1993 Akashadoothu - Father Vattappara
• 1993 Devasuram - Appu Master
• 1993 Kabuliwala - Kabuliwala
• 1993 Ghazal
• 1993 Manichitrathazhu - Thampi
• 1993 Midhunam - Chekkodu Swamy
• 1993 Samagamam - Puthenthara
• 1993 Parinayam -
• 1993 Bhoomi Geetham - Balan mashu
• 1993 Samooham - Poduval
• 1993 Vietnam Colony - Moosa Sett
• 1993 Golamtharavarthakkal -
• 1992 Aham
• 1992 Sadaayam- Father
• 1992 Champakulam Thachan - Kuttiraman
• 1992 Kamalathalam - Secretary of Kerala Kala Mandiram Institute
• 1992 Kingini
• 1992 Aparatha ... Menon
• 1992 Malootty - Raghavan
• 1992 Sargam
• 1992 Savidham
• 1992 Snehasagaram
• 1992 Soorya Gayathri - Manisankar Iyer
• 1991 Bharatham - Raman
• 1991 Dhanam
• 1991 Kadavu
• 1991 Keli - 'Romance' Kumaran
• 1991 Mukha Chithram - Fr. Felix
• 1991 Nettippattam - Kumaran
• 1991 Orutharam Rendtharam Munnutharam..... Govinda Kuruppu
• 1991 Uncle Bun
• 1991 Venal Kinavukal - Venkita Ramayyar
• 1991 Sandhwanam -
• 1991 Kizhakkunarum Pakshi - Varma
• 1990 Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu
• 1990 Kshanakkathu - Professor
• 1990 Akkareakkareakkare - Sivadasa Menon
• 1990 Appu - Chandikunju
• 1990 Dr. Pasupathy - Unnikannan Nair
• 1990 His Highness Abdullah - Udaya Varma
• 1990 Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam - Kunhikannan's father
• 1990 Perumthachan - Unnithampuran
• 1990 Lal Salam - Fr
• 1989 Alicinte Anweshanam
• 1989 Avanikunnile Kinnari Pookkal.... Balan Menon
• 1989 Chakkikotha Chankaran - Prabhakaran Thampi
• 1989 Dasharatham - Scriah
• 1989 Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam - Dr. Kuriakose
• 1989 Pooram
• 1989 Anagha .... Sugathan
• 1989 Varnatheru - Alex
• 1989 Swagatham
• 1989 Vandanam - Villain
• 1989 Vadakku nokki yandram -
• 1988 Isabella
• 1988 Vicharana - Ramankutty Nair
• 1988 Adholokam - Peter
• 1988 Aranyakam - Muthachan
• 1988 Chithram - Kaymal
• 1988 Mrithyunjayam
• 1988 Dhwani - Shekharan
• 1988 Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu - Kumaran Nair
• 1988 Ore Thooval Pakshikal
• 1988 Orkkappurathu
• 1988 Onninu Purake Mattonnu .... Father
• 1988 Vaishali - Rajaguru
• 1988 Vellanakalude Nadu - Minister
• 1987 Achuvettante Veedu - Achuthankutty Nair
• 1987 Ezhuthapurangal - Balakrishna Menon
• 1987 Kaiyethum Doorathu - Prabhakaran
• 1987 Manja Manthrangal - Professor
• 1987 Naradhan Keralathil - Naradan
• 1987 Hrithubetham - Krishnanunni
• 1987 Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam - Ravunni Nair Mash
• 1987 Sarvakalashala....Aashan
• 1987 Sruthi - Ramavarma Thampuran
• 1987 Thoranam
• 1987 Janangalude Shradhakku - Vasu Pilla
• 1987 Kadhakku Pinnil - Sukumara Pilla
• 1987 Ayitham ... Rangan
• 1987 Swathi Thirunal .... Irayimman Thampi
• 1987 Cheppu.... Prof. Varkey
• 1987 Theertham
• 1986 Chilambu .... Sahadevan
• 1986 Pranamam
• 1986 Kaveri.... Kunjunni
• 1986 Atham Chithira Chothi .... Mukundan
• 1986 Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil
• 1986 Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi - Sasidharan
• 1986 Ennennum Kannettante
• 1986 Irakal
• 1986 Rareeram .... Venugopal
• 1986 Oru Yugasandhya.... Gopalan
• 1986 Nilakurinhi Poothappol - Sivaramakrishnan Nair
• 1986 Onnumuthal Poojyam Vare
• 1986 Oridathu - Sundareshan Pilla
• 1986 Panchagni - Shekharan
• 1986 Katturumbinum Kathukuthu... Keshava Pilla
• 1986 Pappan Priyappetta Pappan
• 1986 Sughamodevi - Dr. Venugopal
• 1986 Sunil Vayassu 20 - Military Fernandez
• 1986 Thalavattam - Dr. Unni Krishnan
• 1986 Oru kachu katha Aarum Parayatha Katha
• 1986 Dim Tharikida thom - Unni
• 1986 Akalangalil -
• 1986 Meenamasathile Sooryan -Pokkayi
• 1985 Kathodu Kathoram - Priest
• 1985 Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar - Sakhavu
• 1985 Akkare Ninnoru Maran - K. P. Thankappan Nair
• 1985 Azhiyatha Bandhangal - Unnikrishnan
• 1985 Guruji Oru Vakku - Charly
• 1985 Kaiyum Thalayum Purathidaruthu - Panchayath Secretary
• 1985 Meenamasathile Sooryan (Midsummer Sun) - Chirukandan's father
• 1985 Mutharamkunnu P.O. - Kuttan Pillai
• 1985 Principal Oluvil -
• 1985 Oru Naal Innoru Naal - Vasu
• 1985 Oduvil Kittiya Vartha -
• 1985 Oru Kuda Keezil - Venu
• 1985 Iniyum Katha Thudarum -
• 1985 Nokketha Doorethu Kannum Nattu - Father
• 1985 Punnaram Cholli Cholli -
• 1985 Ambada Njane -
• 1985 Oru Sandesham Koodi..... Prasad
• 1985 Manassariyathe - Venu
• 1984 Aarorumariyathe - Govindankutty
• 1984 Akkare (The Other Shore) - Johny
• 1984 Appunni - Appunni
• 1984 Ente Upasana - Lathika's Father
• 1984 Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove - Potty
• 1984 Kaliyil Alpam Karyam
• 1984 Oodarathuammava Aalariyam
• 1984 Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha - Aravindan
• 1984 Panchavadi Palam
• 1984 Parannu Parannu Parannu - Vakkachan
• 1984 Poochakkoru Mookkuthi - Ravunni Menon
• 1984 Veruthe oru Pinakkam -
• 1984 Oru Kochu Swapnam - Venu Gopal
• 1984 Uyarangalil -
• 1984 Mangalam Nerunnu -
• 1983 Eettillam
• 1983 Asthram - Krishnanunni
• 1983 Marmaram - Narayana Iyer
• 1983 Rachana (Writing) - K. Achuthanunni
• 1983 Veenapoovu - Vasudevan
• 1983 Kinnaram - Unni
• 1983 Aroodam -
• 1983 Naseema - Ravi
• 1983 Mandanmaar Londonil -Vaasu
• 1983 Ashrayam -
• 1983 Enikku Vishakunnu - Chacko
• 1983 Aadhipathyam - Antony
• 1983 Parasparam - Jagadish
• 1983 Sagaram Shantham - Raghavan
• 1983 Onnu Chirikku - Dr. George
• 1983 Lekhayude maranam oru flash back -
• 1982 Alolam - Kuttan Thampuran
• 1982 Chillu - Jose George
• 1982 Ente Mohangal Poovaninju - Damu
• 1982 Kelkatha Shabdam - Devan
• 1982 Kattile Pattu - Chinnan
• 1982 Komaram -
• 1982 Gaanam - Ganapathy
• 1982 Football - Samuel
• 1982 Njanonnu Parayatte - Charlie
• 1982 Snehapoorvam Meera - Krishnankutty
• 1982 Amrithageetham - Mohan
• 1982 Kaliyamardhanam -
• 1982 Ennikku Vishakkunnu -
• 1982 Enikkum Oru Divasam - Vaasu
• 1982 Ormakkayi
• 1982 Ponnum Poovum - Dasan
• 1982 Yavanika (The Curtain Falls) - Balagopalan
• 1982 Ilakangal -
• 1981 Kallan Pavithran - Pavithran
• 1981 Kolangal (Caricatures) - Paramu
• 1981 Ilaneer -
• 1981 Oridathoru Phayalvaan - Mesthiri
• 1981 Palangal - Ramankutty
• 1981 Premageethangal - Johnson
• 1981 Parangimala -
• 1981 Tharattu -
• 1981 Thenum Vayambum
• 1981 Chaatta .... Bhairavan
• 1981 Vida Parayum Mumbe
• 1981 Venal -
• 1980 Manjil Virinja Pookkal - Seythalavi
• 1980 Chamaram - Father
• 1980 Aaravam - Maruthu
• 1979 Thakara - Chellappanasari
• 1978 Thampu

Tamil

• 2008 Silambaattam
• 2008 Poi Solla Porom
• 2005 Anniyan
• 1996 Indian
• 1995 Mogamul
• 1992. Roja

English

• 2007 Chaurahen

• Kairali Vilasam Lodge (Doordarshan) (Direction, acting)
• Jwalayayi (Doordarshan)
• Poovanpazham (Telefilm) (Doordarshan)
• Swapnam (Asianet)
• Avasthantarangal (Kairali TV)
• Oomakkuyil (Doordarshan)
• Raagardram (Doordarshan)
• Sree Guruvayorappan (Surya TV)