Nedumudi Venu
Born: 1948-05-22 in Alleppey, Travancore
Died: 2021-10-11
Known For: Acting
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.
Filmography
2024
- Indian 2: Zero Tolerance as Krishnasamy
- Manorathangal as Madhavan Mash
2022
- Centimeter
- Bheeshma Parvam as Iravippilla
- Aaraattu as Sreedharan Master
- Puzhu as Mohan
- Jack N Jill as Retd. Colonel Nair
- By Her
2021
- Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea as Samoothiri
- Aanum Pennum as Vasudevan
- Yuvam as Judge Ramakrishnan
- Navarasa as Principal
2019
- A for Apple
- Thakkol
- Kanchana 3 as Kaali’s father
- Madura Raja as Madhavan Nair
- Sarvam Thaala Mayam as Vembu Iyer
- Shubharathri
- Panthu
- Vaarikkuzhiyile Kolapathakam as Kurukkan Ponnappan
- Chila NewGen Nattuvisheshangal
- Thelivu as Damodara Panicker
2018
- Joseph as Adv. Srinivasan
- Kammara Sambhavam as Selvan Moopan
- Oru Kuttanadan Blog as Vasudeva Kaimal
- Johny Johny Yes Appa
- Daivame Kaithozham K.Kumar Akanam as God
- Oru Kuprasidha Payyan as Adv. Santhosh Narayan
- Thattumpurath Achuthan as Avhuthan's Father
- Khaleefa
- DiwanjiMoola Grand Prix
- Carbon as Basheer
2017
- Udaharanam Sujatha as George Paul
- Oru Visheshapetta Biriyani Kissa as Krishnan Nair
- Avarude Raavukal as Scobo Jhons
- Lal Salam as Himself
- Pokkiri Simon
2016
- Pavada as Pillai
- Oppam as Justice Krishnamoorthy
- Kadhantharam as Rajaram
- Once Again as Pappu Pilla
- Buddhanum Chaplinum Chirikkunnu
- Ishti as Ramavikraman Namboodiri
- Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho as Appooppan
2015
- Oru Second Class Yathra as Narayanan
- Charlie as Kunjappan
- Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi as CKAK Menon
- Nirnayakam as Vasu Kuttan
- Rasam as Valliyottu Thirumeni
- Rudra Simhasanam as Shivathanu
- Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal as Chief Editor
- Alif as Kunjammadu Sahib
2014
- Munnariyippu as Rama Moorthy
- Ottamandaram
- Villali Veeran as Damodharji
- Aamayum Muyalum as Kashi
- Sapthamashree Thaskaraha as Nobilettan
- To Noora with Love
- Names Unknown as Work Shop Master
- Law Point as Ramakrishnan
- Homely Meals as Father Dixon
- Gamer as Gamer
- Lal Bahadur Shastri as Bahadur
- Mosayile Kuthira Meenukal as Kuriachen
2013
- Money Back Policy as Onachan
- North 24 Kaatham as Gopalettan
- Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty as Thomas
- Nadodimannan as Thiruvithamkodu Thirumanassu
- Sound Thoma as Manikunju
- Tourist Home
- Sringaravelan as Varmaji, Radha's Grand father
- Celluloid as Subramaniam
- Immanuel as Jabbar
- Isaac Newton S/O Philipose as Philipose
- Memories as Father John
2012
- White Paper as Krishnan Nair
- Mayamohini as Sankaran Potti
- Mr. Marumakan as Rajagopalan Thampy
- Hero as Thankachan, Antony's father
- The King & The Commissioner as Dr. E. K. Sudharshan
- Unnam as Murugan
- Graamam as Govindankutty Maashu
- Thiruvambadi Thamban as Kunjoonju
- Akashathinte Niram as Old Man
- Puthiya Theerangal as K.P./ Advocate Immanuel / Kurian Paulose / Kumara Panickker
- Vadhiyar
- Bhoopadathil Illatha Oridam as Panchayat president
- Achante Aanmakkal as Madhava Menon
- Ithramathram as Gowdar
- Friday as Purushothaman
2011
- Ekadashy
- Arabeem Ottakom P. Madhavan Nayarum in Oru Marubhoomi Kadha as Thoma
- Teja Bhai and Family
- Collector
- Manikyakallu as Head master
- Mohabbath
- August 15 as V. G. Sadasivan
- Violin as Doctor
- Abu, Son of Adam as Govindan Master
- Arjunan Saakshi as P.K Nambiithiri
- Living Together as Vasudevan Kartha
- Doctor Love as Gauri's father
- Orma Mathram as Samson
2010
- In Ghost House Inn as Father Dominic
- Pokkiri Raja as Madhavan Nair
- Best Actor as Denver Aashan
- Penpattanam as Unnithan Muthalali
- Elsamma Enna Aankutty as Kunnel Pappan
- Oru Naal Varum as Havildar Vasudevan
- Malarvaadi Arts Club as Kumaran
- Sakudumbam Shyamala as Shekaran IAS
- Raama Raavanan as Annadurai
- Alexander The Great as Dr. Korah
- Punyam Aham as Kaarackal Easwaran Namboodiri
- Pathinonnil Vyazham
2009
- Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded as CM Chandrashekharan
- Love in Singapore as Andrews Perreira
- Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja as Moopan
- Swa Le as Palazhi Sivasankarappilla
- Bhagyadevatha as Sadanadan Pillai
- Gulumaal: The Escape as Prabhakara Varma
- Puthiya Mugham as Ramankutty Iyer
- Kana Kanmani as Iyer
- Ivar Vivahitharayal...? as Freddy Uncle
- Bhoomi Malayalam
- Banaras as M.K. Nair
- Keralotsavam Mission 2009 as Padmanabhan Embranthiri
- Decent Parties
- Passenger as Driver Nair
2008
- Poi Solla Porom as K.R.Sathyanathan
- Silambattam as Vichu's Grandfather
- The Imprints
- College Kumaran as Sivaraman Nair
- Mizhikal Sakshi as Lebba Sahib
- A Climate for Crime as Maathu
- Pakal Nakshatrangal
- Thavalam as Panikker
- Dae! Ingottu Nokkiye...
2007
- Four Women
- Ayur Rekha as Captain Nair
- Chaurahen as Mr Nayyar
- Vinodayathra as John Matthew
- Indrajith as Madhavan Nair
- Khaki
- Changathipoocha as Sreedharan Nair
- Nivedyam as Ramappan Namboothiri
- Kaiyoppu as C.P. Vasudevan
- Arabikkatha as "Society" Gopalan
2006
- Prajapathi as Muppil Kunjambu Nair
- Palunku as Teacher
- Rashtram as Chief Minister Janardhanan Kurup
- Pothan Vava as Meppattor Vishnu Narayanan Nampoothiri
2005
- Anandabhadram as Padmanabhan
- Mayookham as Keshavan Namboothiri
- Thanmathra as Krishnan Nair
- Finger Print as Rama Varma Thampuran
- December
- Anniyan as Parthasarathy Iyengar
- Saira as Ustad Ali
2004
- Vettam as Retd D.I.G (Uncle Tom)
- Mampazhakkalam as Raghavan Mash
- Vismayathumbathu as Dr. Sibi Joseph
- Jalolsavam as Aalakkal Govindanashan
- Parayam
- Amrutham as Ravunni Nair
2003
- Manassinakkare as Kuriakose
- Balettan as Gopalan Menon
- Thilakkam as Padmanabhan Master
- Mr. Brahmachari as Sekharan Thampi
- Ente Veedu... Appuvinteyum as Doctor Krishnakumar
- Maargam as Venu Menon
- Parinamam
- Arimpara as Krishnan Unni
2002
- Thandavam as Swaminathan
- Shadow Kill as Jailer
- Chathurangam as Mathew Varghese
- Kanmashi as Menon
- Mazhathullikkilukkam as Father Palaykkal
- Kunjikkoonan as Prasad's father
- Phantom as Gandhi Gangadharan Pillai
- Yathrakarude Sradhakku as Viswanathan
2001
- Cover Story as Retd. Justice Chandrashekara Menon
- Randam Bhavam as Manikutty's Father
- Uthaman as Kochantony
- Dubai as Swaminathan
- Kakkakuyil as Blind 'Thampuran'
- Ishtam as Krishnankutty Menon
- Jeevan Masai as Jeevan Masai
- Ladies & Gentlemen as Fernandez
2000
- Life Is Beautiful as Principal
- Susanna
- Madhuranombarakattu as Baaghavatar
- Aanamuttathe Aangalamar as Shivasankara Menon
- Mister Butler as Menon
1999
- Pranaya Nilavu as Madhavan Nair
- Megham as Kumaran
- Devadasi
- English Medium as Sankunni Nair
- Stalin Sivadas
- Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal as Aravindan
- Saree
- Pallavur Devanarayanan as Aasan
- Thachiledathu Chundan as Vasukutty
- Angene Oru Avadhikkalathu as Delhi Pappachan
1998
- Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu as Dr. Subhash
- Harikrishnans as Thampuran
- Oru Maravathoor Kanavu
- Sundara Killadi as Rajamanikkam
- Daya as Sultan
- Sidhartha as Karunakara Menon
- Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala as The Headmaster
- Thirakalkkappuram as Vellayudhachan
- Raktha Sakshikal Zindabad
- Birthday
- Thattakam
1997
- Rishyasringan
- Vaachalam
- Manasam as Menon
- Guru as Teacher
- Oru Yaatra Mozhi as Appu
- Chandralekha as Udhaya Varma
- Manthramothiram as M. K. S. Warrier
- Churam as Balagopalan
- Superman as Raman Nair
- Karunyam
- Mangamma as Nair
- Ishtadanam as Dhanapalan
- Itha Oru Snehagatha
1996
- Rajaputhran as M. K. Nair
- Indian as Krishnasamy
- Devaraagam
- Kaalapani as Sreekandan Nair
- Udhyanapalakan
1995
- Spadikam as Ravunni Master
- Nirnayam as Fr. Thayyil
- Sreeragam as Periya Shasthri
- Mogamul as Ranganna
- Thacholi Varghese Chekavar
- Sakshyam as Dominic Fernandes
- Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njanum
- Manikya Chempazhukka as Adv. Bharathan
- Alancheri Thamprakkal as Chathukutti Bhagavathar
- Ormakalundayirikkanam as Nambiar
- Kazhakam as Aashaan
- Saadaram
1994
- Pavithram as Warrier
- Nandini Oppol as Balan
- Thenmavin Kombath as Sreekrishnan Thampuran
- Parinayam
- Enchantment as Ummini
- Rajadhani as Panikker
- Ilayum Mullum
1993
- Manichitrathazhu as Thampy
- Devasuram as Appukutty Nair
- Midhunam as Chekkodu Swamy
- Maya Mayooram as Hassan Bhai
- Padheyam as Kunjikannan Nair
- Kabuliwala as Kabooliwala (Ameer)
- Aalavattam as Kesavankutty
- Aagneyam
- Oru Kadankatha Pole
- Samagamam as Fr. Puthenthara
- Kalippattam
- Samooham as Balan Poduval
- Bhoomi Geetham as Balan Mashu
- Venkalam as Chathukutti
- Akashadoothu as Fr.Vattappara
- Ente Sreekuttikku as Ananthan Mashu
1992
- Kamaladalam as Secretary of Kerala Kala Mandiram Institute
- Poochakkaru Mani Kettum as Ambotty
- Soorya Gayathri as Manisankar Iyer
- Vietnam Colony as Moosa Settu
- Aham
- Sadayam as Ft. Dominic
- Sargam as Haridas' father
- Champakkulam Thachan as Kuttiraman
- Rajashilpi as Madhavan
- Yamanam
- Pandu Pandoru Rajakumari as Balan Nambyar
- Malootty as Raghavan
1991
- Bharatham as Ramanathan
- Kizhakkunarum Pakshi
- Nettippattam as Kumaran
- Dhanam as Rajappan
- Bhoomika as Rama Warrier
- Keli as 'Romance' Kumaran
- Vishnulokam as Krishnanunni
- Perumthachan as Unni Thampuran
- Santhwanam as Thambi
- Venal Kinavukal as Venkita Ramayyar
- Mukhachithram as Fr. Felix
- Uncle Bun as Jameskutty Chacko
- Kadavu
1990
- Appu as Chandikunju
- Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam as Valiya Thampuran
- His Highness Abdullah as Maharaja Udayavarma
- Dr. Pasupathy as Unnikannan Nair
- Akkare Akkare Akkare as Sivadasa Menon
- Lal Salam as Father Felix
- Pavakkoothu as Aditya Varma
- Vidhyarambham as Madhavan Ezhuthachan
- Champion Thomas as Madhavan
- Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu as Warrier
1989
- Devadas
- Dasharatham as Scariah
- Vandanam as Kurian Fernandez
- Swagatham as Devan Nair
- Chakkikotha Chankaran as Prabhakaran Thampi
- Vadakkunokkiyantram as Doctor
- Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam as Dr Kuriakose
- Pooram as Chellappan
- Alicinte Anweshanam as Viswanathan
- Njangalude Kochu Doctor as Hameed
- Rugmini
- Anagha
1988
- Daisy as Pradees's Uncle
- Aranyakam as Grandfather
- Vaishali as Rajaguru
- Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas
- Isabella as Tourist Guide
- Orkkapurathu as Nicholas
- Vicharana as Ramettan
- Dhwani as Shekharan
- Vellanakalude Naadu as Minister
- Chithram as Kaimal
- Padamudra
- Sanghunadam
- Ore Thooval Pakshikal
- Witness as Himself
- Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu as Kumaren Nair
1987
- Manja Mantharangal as Professor Varma
- Achuvettante Veedu as Achuthankutty Nair
- Ezhuthappurangal
- Rithubhedam
- Chilambu
- Sarvakalasala as Aasan
- Swathi Thirunal
- Kathakku Pinnil
- Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam as Ravunni Nair
- And There Was a Village... as Overseer Sundaresan
- Neela Kurinji Poothappol.... as Sivaramakrishnan Nair
- Cheppu as Lecturer
- Naradhan Keralathil as Naradhan
1986
- Love Story as Kumaran Nair / Radhakrishnan (dual role)
- Kaveri
- Thalavattam as Dr. Unni Krishnan
- Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam as Kunjan Nair
- Rareeram as Venu
- Ambili Ammavan
- Arappatta Kettiya Graamathil as Gopi
- Moonnu Masangalkku Munpu
- Panchagni as Shekharan
- Pappan Priyappetta Pappan as SI Kochappu
- Meenamasathile Suryan as Chirukandan's Father
- Adiverukal
- Mizhineerppoovukal
- Pranamam as Usha's Father
- Ponnum Kudathinum Pottu as Dasan
- Ennennum Kannettante as Tharavadu Karanavar
- Dheem Tharikida Thom as Keerikkad Chellappan Nair
- Katturumbinum Kathu Kuthu
- Oru Kadha Oru Nunakadha as Appu Nair
- Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi as Sasidharan
- Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare as Dr. K. K. Menon
1985
- Kathodu Kathoram as Priest
- Guruji Oru Vakku as Charlie
- Iniyum Kadha Thudarum
- Punnaram Cholli Cholli as Sivaraman
- Mutharamkunnu P.O. as Kuttan Pillai
- Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram
- Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar as Sakhavu
- Oru Kudakeezhil
- Oduvil Kittiya Vartha
- Azhiyatha Bandhangal as Unnikrishnan
- Chidambaram as Himself
- Akkare Ninnoru Maran as Sree Thankappan Nair
- Oru Sandesam Koodi
- Irakal as Andrews
- Puli Varunne Puli as Ramdas
1984
- My Dear Kuttichathan as Invisible Kuttichatan (voice)
- Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu as The Priest
- Panchavadi Palam as Shikhandi Pillai
- Uyarangalil as Johnie
- Aarorumariyathe as Govindankutty
- Poochakkoru Mookkuthi as Ravunni Menon
- Parannu Parannu Parannu as Vakkachan
- Kaliyil Alpam Karyam
- Odaruthammava Aalariyam as Major Nair
- Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove as Potty
- Appunni as Appunni
- Sandyakkenthinu Sindhooram
- Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha as Aravindan
- Manasariyathe as Venu
- Veruthe Oru Pinakkam
- Akkare as Johnny
- Ente Upasana as Lathika's Uncle
- Aayiram Abilashangal
- Oru Kochu Swapnam as Venu
- Mangalam Nerunnu
1983
- Kattathe Kilikkoodu ... (Story)
- Aadhipathyam as Antony
- Kinnaram as Unni
- Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback as Paul Raj
- Rachana as Achuthanunni
- Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla as Nedumudi Venu
- Asthram as Krishnanunni
- Onnu Chirikku as Dr. George
- Veena Poovu
- Eettillam as Vijayan
- Naseema as Ravi
- Mandanmar Londonil as Vasu Kumar
- Saagaram Santham as Raghavan
- Oru Swakaryam
- Kingini Kombu
- Aashrayam
1982
- Kaattile paattu
- Kelkatha Sabdam as Devan
- Njan Onnu Parayatte as Charlie
- Yavanika as Balagopalan
- Amrutha Geetham as Mohan
- Chillu
- Kaaliya Mardhanam as Sreeni
- Enikkum oru Divasam as Vasu
- Ponnum Poovum as Dasan
- Marmaram as Narayana Iyer
- Ente Mohangal Poovaninju as Damu
- Komaram
- Football
- Vaarikuzhi
- Ilakkangal as Unni
- Ormakkayi as Balu
- Gaanam
1981
- Chatta as Kosara Bhairavan
- Thenum Vayambum as Ravi
- Vida Parayum Munpe as Xavier
- Venal
- Kolangal as Paramu
- Dhanya
- Parankimala
- Kallan Pavithran as Pavithran
- Palangal as Ramankutty
1980
- Manjil Virinja Pookkal as Seythalavi
- Chamaram as Father
1979
- Thakara as Chellappanasar
1978
- The Circus Tent
- Aaravam as Maruthu