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