Madhu (actor)

He was born on 23 September 1933 at Gourishapattom, Trivandrum. His father, R. Parameswaran Pillai, was the Mayor of Trivandrum and his mother Kamalamma was a housewife. He has four sisters. He had his primary education from L.P School, Kunnukuzhi, Thiruvananthapuram. He did pre university degree from MG College and pursued Bachelors in Arts in Hindi from University college, Thiruvananthapuram. He post graduated in Hindi from Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

He was married to Jayalakshmi till her death in 2014. They have a daughter Uma.

He started his career as a Hindi lecturer in S T Hindu College, Nagercoil. During that time he chanced upon a newspaper advertisement inviting applications for the National School of Drama Course. While studying at NSD, he became acquainted with Ramu Karyat, who offered him a role in his forthcoming film Moodupadam. After completing the course, Madhu went to Chennai to screen test for Karyat's film. While there, in 1963, he was offered a role in N N Pisharody's film, Ninamaninja Kalpadukal and this became his debut.

He had expressed all facets of life through his various acting roles. Perhaps his most notable role was in Karyat's Chemmeen, which won the President's Gold Medal. Madhu entered Malayalam cinema at a time when lead roles were dominated by actors like Prem Naseer and Sathyan and created a niche for himself. One of the early films of his career was Bhargavi Nilayam, a suspense movie, followed by Udhyogastha by P. Venu. One of the most common leading co-stars that Madhu worked with, particularly after 1975 was the multi-talented actress Srividya.

He later worked as a producer, director and storywriter. In an acting career spanning four decades, Madhu acted in over 300 films. His first movie as a director is Priya released in 1970, in which he played the role of villain.

Although he was a big star in commercial film, he was generous enough to act in parallel movies. He acted in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Swayamvaram, P. N. Menon's Olavum Theeravum etc.

Madhu's directorial venture Priya was a trend setter in Malayalam. In this movie he experimented with the main character playing an anti-hero. Madhu later directed about 14 films. He was the owner of once-renowned Uma studio. Madhu produced a movie Mini in 1995, which got National Award.

Madhu also acted in the Hindi film Saat Hindustani, which was the debut movie of the Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan in 1969.

Madhu has also done a couple of Tamil films, as Rajinikanth's father in Dharma Dorai and the 2007 release Oru Ponnu Oru Paiyan.

Padma Awards

• 2013 Padma Shri

Kerala State Film Award

• 2004 J. C. Daniel Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Government of Kerala.
• 1995 Kerala State Film Award for Best Children's Film for Mini (Produced by Madhu) in 1995 (Directed by P.Chandrakumar)
• 1992 Kerala State Film Award (Special Jury Award) in 1992 for Kudumba Sametham
• 1980 Kerala State Film Award (Special Jury Award) in 1980
• 1971 Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film for Sindooracheppu (Directed by Madhu) in 1971.

Filmfare Awards South

• 1994 Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South (1994)
• 1977 Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam – Yuddha Kaandam (1977)
• 1976 Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam – Theekkanal (1976)
• 1972 Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam – Swayamvaram (1972) (inaugural winner)

Other Awards

• 2012 SATHYAN Awards 2012
• 2005 Bahadoor Award in 2005
• 2002 Asianet Film Awards2002 – Best Lifetime Achievement Award

Actor

Malayalam

Hindi

• Saat Hindustani (1969)

Tamil

• Oru Ponnu Oru Paiyan (2007)
• Dharma Durai (1991)

Director

• Oru Yuga Sandhya (1986)
• Udayam Padinjaru (1986)
• Aradhana (1977) – average
• Dheere Sameere Yamuna Theere (1976)
• Theekkanal (1976) – average
• Akkaladama (1975)
• Kamam Krodham Moham (1975) – average
• Manyasree Viswamitran (1974) – average
• Neela Kannukal (1974)
• Saathi (1972)
• Sindhoora Cheppu (1971) – Hit
• Priya (1970) – Hit.

Producer

• Sathi (1972)
• Manyasree Vishwamithran (1974)
• Akkaldama(1975)
• Kamam Krotham Moham(1975)
• Ashamayam(1978)
• Prabatha Sandhya(1979)
• Shudhikalasham (1979)
• Vaiki Vanna Vasantham(1980)
• Grihalakshmi(1981)
• Archana Teacher(1981)
• Njan Ekananu(1982)
• Rathilayam(1983)
• Udayam Padinjaru(1986)
• Edi vethu mathukutty (1989)....super hit grosser
• Philips (1995)
• Mini (1995) Hit
• Pichakaaran Alla (1995) Above Average
• Bhaskaran pilla madras (1998) Average
• Kuwait varkeychen (1998)
• Ezhupunna Tharakan (1998)
• Chirikuduka (2000)
• Sharja To Sharja (2004)

Playback singing

• Sahakarikkatte Sahaja [Bit] ... Ramanan (1967)
• Ariyoo [Bit] ... Ramanan (1967)
• Ramananeeyennil [Bit] ... Ramanan (1967)