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.
Known For
| Birth Location | Alleppey, Travancore |
|---|---|
| Born | 1948-05-22 |
| Died | 2021-10-11 |
Movies
Indian 2
as Krishnasamy
2024
2022
Jack N Jill
as Retd. Colonel Nair
2022
Puzhu
as Mohan
2022
2022
Bheeshma Parvam
as Iravippilla
2022
Aaraattu
as Sreedharan Master
2022
Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea
as Samoothiri
2021
Aanum Pennum
as Vasudevan
2021
2021
2019
2019
2019
2019
Kanchana 3
as Kaali’s father
2019
Madura Raja
as Madhavan Nair
2019
Sarvam Thaala Mayam
as Vembu Iyer
2019
2019
Thattumpurath Achuthan
as Avhuthan's Father
2018
2018
Oru Kuprasidha Payyan
as Adv. Santhosh Narayan
2018
2018
Oru Kuttanadan Blog
as Vasudeva Kaimal
2018
Kammara Sambhavam
as Selvan Moopan
2018
2018
Carbon
as Basheer
2018
2018
Udaharanam Sujatha
as George Paul
2017
2017
Oru Visheshapetta Biriyani Kissa
as Krishnan Nair
2017
Avarude Raavukal
as Scobo Jhons
2017
Ishti
as Ramavikraman Namboodiri
2016
Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho
as Appooppan
2016
Oppam
as Justice Krishnamoorthy
2016
Pinneyum
as Pappu Pilla
2016
Kadhantharam
as Rajaram
2016
Pavada
as Pillai
2016
Charlie
as Kunjappan
2015
Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal
as Chief Editor
2015
Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi
as CKAK Menon
2015
Rudra Simhasanam
as Shivathanu
2015
Nirnayakam
as Vasu Kuttan
2015
Oru Second Class Yathra
as Narayanan
2015
Alif
as Kunjammadu Sahib
2015
Rasam
as Valliyottu Thirumeni
2015
Names Unknown
as Work Shop Master
2014
Aamayum Muyalum
as Kashi
2014
Lal Bahadur Shastri
as Bahadur
2014
2014
Homely Meals
as Father Dixon
2014
Sapthamashree Thaskaraha
as Nobilettan
2014
Villali Veeran
as Damodharji
2014
Munnariyippu
as Rama Moorthy
2014
Law Point
as Ramakrishnan
2014
Mosayile Kuthira Meenukal
as Kuriachen
2014
2014
Gamer
as Gamer
2014
Nadodimannan
as Thiruvithamkodu Thirumanassu
2013
Sringaravelan
as Radha's Grand father
2013
North 24 Kaatham
as Gopalettan
2013
Memories
as Father John
2013
Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty
as Thomas
2013
2013
Money Back Policy
as Onachan
2013
Immanuel
as Jabbar
2013
Sound Thoma
as Manikunju
2013
Celluloid
as Subramaniam
2013
Isaac Newton S/O Philipose
as Philipose
2013
Puthiya Theerangal
as K.P./ Advocate Immanuel / Kurian Paulose / Kumara Panickker
2012
Ithramathram
as Gowdar
2012
Bhoopadathil Illatha Oridam
as Panchayat president
2012
Mr. Marumakan
as Rajagopalan Thampy
2012
Friday
as Purushothaman
2012
Graamam
as Govindankutty Maashu
2012
Color of Sky
as Old Man
2012
2012
Hero
as Thankachan, Antony's father
2012
Thiruvambadi Thamban
as Kunjoonju
2012
Mayamohini
as Sankaran Potti
2012
The King & The Commissioner
as Dr. E.K.Sudharshan
2012
Achante Aanmakkal
as Madhava Menon
2012
Unnam
as Murugan
2012
2011
2011
2011
2011
Violin
as Doctor
2011
Abu, Son of Adam
as Govindan Master
2011
Manikyakallu
as Head master
2011
2011
August 15
as V. G. Sadasivan
2011
Living Together
as Vasudevan Kartha
2011
2011
Best Actor
as Denver Aashan
2010
2010
Elsamma Enna Aankutty
as Kunnel Pappan
2010
Raama Raavanan
as Annadurai
2010
Sakudumbam Shyamala
as Shekaran IAS
2010
Malarvaadi Arts Club
as Kumaran
2010
Oru Naal Varum
as Havildar Vasudevan
2010
Pokkiri Raja
as Madhavan Nair
2010
Alexander The Great
as Dr. Korah
2010
In Ghost House Inn
as Father Dominic
2010
Punyam Aham
as Kaarackal Easwaran Namboodiri
2010
Keralotsavam Mission 2009
as Padmanabhan Embranthiri
2009
Swa Le
as Palazhi Sivasankarappilla
2009
Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja
as Moopan
2009
Kana Kanmani
as Iyer
2009
2009
Puthiya Mugham
as Kichan's father
2009
Ivar Vivahitharayal...?
as Freddy Uncle
2009
Passenger
as Driver Nair
2009
2009
2009
Bhagyadevatha
as Sadanadan Pillai
2009
Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded
as Chief Minister of Kerala
2009
Love in Singapore
as Andrews Perreira
2009
Silambattam
as Vichu's Grandfather
2008
2008
Thavalam
as Panikker
2008
Poi Solla Porom
as K.R.Sathyanathan
2008
Mizhikal Sakshi
as Lebba Sahib
2008
A Climate for Crime
as Maathu
2008
2007
Chaurahen
as Mr. Nair
2007
Indrajith
as Madhavan Nair
2007
2007
Arabikkatha
as "Society" Gopalan
2007
2007
Vinodayathra
as John Matthew
2007
Kaiyoppu
as C.P. Vasudevan
2007
Changathipoocha
as Sreedharan Nair
2007
Palunku
as Teacher
2006
Pothan Vava
as Meppattor Vishnu Narayanan Nampoothiri
2006
2006
2006
Prajapathi
as Kaliyarmadom Kunjambu Nair
2006
Rashtram
as Chief Minister Janardhanan Kurup
2006
Thanmathra
as Krishnan Nair
2005
2005
Mayookham
as Unni's Father
2005
2005
Anniyan
as Parthasarathy Iyengar
2005
Finger Print
as Rama Varma Thampuran
2005
Saira
as Ustad Ali
2005
Amrutham
as Ravunni Nair
2004
Mampazhakkalam
as Raghavan Mash
2004
Jalolsavam
as Aalakkal Govindanashan
2004
Vettam
as Retd D.I.G (Uncle Tom)
2004
Vismayathumbathu
as Dr. Sunny Joseph
2004
Manassinakkare
as Kuriakose
2003
Maargam
as Venu Menon
2003
Balettan
as Balachandran's Father
2003
Ente Veedu... Appuvinteyum
as Child Psychologist
2003
Thilakkam
as Padmanabhan Master
2003
2003
Mr. Brahmachari
as Sekharan Thampi
2003
Arimpara
as Krishnan Unni
2003
Yathrakarude Sradhakku
as Viswanathan
2002
Chathurangam
as Mathew Varghese
2002
Shadow Kill
as Jailer
2002
Thandavam
as Swaminathan
2002
Kanmashi
as Menon
2002
2002
Mazhathullikkilukkam
as Father Palaykkal
2002
Kunjikkoonan
as Prasad's father
2002
Randam Bhavam
as Manikutty's Father
2001
Ishtam
as Krishnankutty Menon
2001
Uthaman
as Kochantony
2001
2001
Dubai
as Swaminathan
2001
Kakkakuyil
as Blind 'Thampuran'
2001
Ladies & Gentlemen
as Fernandez
2001
Jeevan Masai
as Jeevan Masai
2001
2000
2000
Life Is Beautiful
as Principal
2000
Madhuranombarakattu
as Baaghavatar
2000
1999
Pranaya Nilavu
as Madhavan Nair
1999
English Medium
as Sankunni Nair
1999
1999
Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal
as Aravindan
1999
1999
Pallavur Devanarayanan
as Aasan
1999
Megham
as Meenakshi's father
1999
Thachiledathu Chundan
as Vasukutty
1999
Angene Oru Avadhikkalathu
as Delhi Pappachan
1999
Sundara Killadi
as Head of Swapna Bhoomi
1998
Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
as The Headmaster
1998
Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu
as Dr. Subhash
1998
Sidhartha
as Karunakara Menon
1998
Harikrishnans
as Thampuran
1998
Daya
as Sultan
1998
Thirakalkkappuram
as Vellayudhachan
1998
1998
Superman
as Raman Nair
1997
Guru
as Teacher
1997
Churam
as Balagopalan
1997
Chandralekha
as Chandra's father
1997
1997
Manthramothiram
as M. K. S. Warrier
1997
Oru Yaatra Mozhi
as Appu
1997
1997
Ishtadanam
as Dhanapalan
1997
Mangamma
as Nair
1997
Manasam
as Menon
1997
1996
Indian
as Krishnasamy
1996
1996
Rajaputhran
as M. K. Nair
1996
Kaalapani
as Sreekandan Nair
1996
Sakshyam
as Dominic Fernandes
1995
Sreeragam
as Periya Shasthri
1995
Ormakalundayirikkanam
as Nambiar
1995
Mogamul
as Ranganna
1995
Manikya Chempazhukka
as Adv. Bharathan
1995
Spadikam
as Ravunni Master
1995
Alancheri Thamprakkal
as Chathukutti Bhagavathar
1995
Kazhakam
as Aashaan
1995
Nirnayam
as Fr. Thayyil
1995
Enchantment
as Ummini
1994
1994
1994
Rajadhani
as Panikker
1994
Thenmavin Kombath
as Sreekrishnan Thampuran
1994
Pavithram
as Warrier
1994
Manichitrathazhu
as Thampy
1993
Padheyam
as Kunjikannan Nair
1993
Samooham
as Balan Poduval
1993
1993
Akashadoothu
as Fr.Vattappara
1993
1993
Maya Mayooram
as Hassan Bhai
1993
1993
Midhunam
as Chekkodu Swamy
1993
Devasuram
as Appu master
1993
Kabuliwala
as Kabooliwala
1993
Aalavattam
as Kesavankutty
1993
Venkalam
as Chathukutti
1993
Ente Sreekuttikku
as Ananthan Mashu
1993
Samagamam
as Fr. Puthenthara
1993
Vietnam Colony
as Moosa Settu
1992
Soorya Gayathri
as Manisankar Iyer
1992
Rajashilpi
as Madhavan
1992
Sadayam
as Father Dominic
1992
1992
Kamaladalam
as Secretary of Kerala Kala Mandiram Institute
1992
Poochakkaru Mani Kettum
as Ambotty
1992
Sargam
as Haridas' father
1992
Champakkulam Thachan
as Kuttiraman
1992
1992
Pandu Pandoru Rajakumari
as Balan Nambyar
1992
Malootty
as Raghavan
1992
Nettippattam
as Kumaran
1991
Santhwanam
as Thambi
1991
Venal Kinavukal
as Venkita Ramayyar
1991
Bhoomika
as Rama Warrier
1991
Uncle Bun
as Jameskutty Chacko
1991
Mukhachithram
as Fr. Felix
1991
1991
Vishnulokam
as Krishnanunni
1991
Bharatham
as Ramanathan
1991
Keli
as 'Romance' Kumaran
1991
Dhanam
as Rajappan
1991
1991
Perumthachan
as Unni Thampuran
1991
Vidhyarambham
as Madhavan Ezhuthachan
1990
Lal Salam
as Father Felix
1990
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu
as Godman
1990
Champion Thomas
as Madhavan
1990
Appu
as Chandikunju
1990
Pavakkoothu
as Aditya Varma
1990
His Highness Abdullah
as Maharaja Udayavarma
1990
Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam
as Valiya Thampuran
1990
Dr. Pasupathy
as Unnikannan Nair
1990
Akkare Akkare Akkare
as Sivadasa Menon
1990
1989
Dasharatham
as Scariah
1989
Chakkikotha Chankaran
as Prabhakaran Thampi
1989
1989
Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam
as Dr Kuriakose
1989
Vadakkunokki Yantram
as Doctor
1989
Swagatham
as Devan Nair
1989
Njangalude Kochu Doctor
as Hameed
1989
Pooram
as Chellappan
1989
Alicinte Anweshanam
as Viswanathan
1989
1989
Vandanam
as Kurian Fernandez
1989
Dhwani
as Shekharan
1988
Chithram
as Kaimal
1988
Aranyakam
as Grandfather
1988
Vellanakalude Naadu
as Minister
1988
Vaishali
as Rajaguru
1988
Isabella
as Tourist Guide
1988
1988
Orkkapurathu
as Nicholas
1988
1988
Witness
as Himself
1988
1988
Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu
as Kumaren Nair
1988
Vicharana
as Ramettan
1988
Achuvettante Veedu
as Achuthankutty Nair
1987
1987
Cheppu
as Lecturer
1987
Oridathu
as Overseer Sundaresan
1987
1987
Sarvakalasala
as Aasan
1987
1987
Manja Mantharangal
as Professor Varma
1987
Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
as Ravunni Nair
1987
1987
Neela Kurinji Poothappol....
as Sivaramakrishnan Nair
1987
Rareeram
as Venu
1986
1986
Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi
as Sasidharan
1986
Pranamam
as Usha's Father
1986
Thalavattam
as Dr. Unni Krishnan
1986
1986
Pappan Priyappetta Pappan
as SI Kochappu
1986
1986
Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare
as Dr. K. K. Menon
1986
Panchagni
as Shekharan
1986
Meenamasathile Suryan
as Chirukandan's Father
1986
Ponnum Kudathinum Pottu
as Dasan
1986
Arappatta Kettiya Graamathil
as Gopi
1986
Ennennum Kannettante
as Tharavadu Karanavar
1986
Love Story
as Kumaran Nair / Radhakrishnan (dual role)
1986
Oru Kadha Oru Nunakadha
as Appu Nair
1986
Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam
as Kunjan Nair
1986
Dheem Tharikida Thom
as Keerikkad Chellappan Nair
1986
Kathodu Kathoram
as Priest
1985
Guruji Oru Vakku
as Charlie
1985
Puli Varunne Puli
as Ramdas
1985
Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar
as Sakhavu
1985
Irakal
as Andrews
1985
Akkare Ninnoru Maran
as Sree Thankappan Nair
1985
Azhiyatha Bandhangal
as Unnikrishnan
1985
Mutharamkunnu P.O.
as Kuttan Pillai
1985
1985
Chidambaram
as Himself
1985
Punnaram Cholli Cholli
as Sivaraman
1985
Ente Upasana
as Lathika's Uncle
1984
Uyarangalil
as Johnie
1984
Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu
as The Priest
1984
Akkare
as Johnny
1984
Panchavadi Palam
as Shikhandi Pillai
1984
My Dear Kuttichathan
as Invisible Kuttichatan (voice)
1984
Parannu Parannu Parannu
as Vakkachan
1984
1984
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi
as Ravunni Menon
1984
Appunni
as Appunni
1984
1984
Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha
as Aravindan
1984
Ithiri Poove Chuvannapoove
as Potty
1984
1984
Odaruthammava Aalariyam
as Major Nair
1984
Aarorumariyathe
as Govindankutty
1984
Manasariyathe
as Venu
1984
Oru Kochu Swapnam
as Venu
1984
1984
Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla
as Nedumudi Venu
1983
Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback
as Paul Raj
1983
Asthram
as Krishnanunni
1983
Saagaram Santham
as Raghavan
1983
1983
Mandanmar Londonil
as Vasu Kumar
1983
Onnu Chirikku
as Dr. George
1983
Aadhipathyam
as Antony
1983
Eettillam
as Vijayan
1983
1983
Rachana
as Achuthanunni
1983
Naseema
as Ravi
1983
Kinnaram
as Unni
1983
1983
Njan Onnu Parayatte
as Charlie
1982
Marmaram
as Narayana Iyer
1982
Enikkum oru Divasam
as Vasu
1982
Ormakkayi
as Balu
1982
Amrutha Geetham
as Mohan
1982
Kaaliya Mardhanam
as Sreeni
1982
1982
Kelkatha Sabdam
as Devan
1982
Ente Mohangal Poovaninju
as Damu
1982
Ponnum Poovum
as Dasan
1982
1982
Yavanika
as Balagopalan
1982
1982
Ilakkangal
as Unni
1982
1982
Thenum Vayambum
as Ravi
1981
Vida Parayum Munpe
as Xavier
1981
Chatta
as Kosara Bhairavan
1981
Kolangal
as Paramu
1981
1981
1981
1981
Kallan Pavithran
as Pavithran
1981
Palangal
as Ramankutty
1981
Manjil Virinja Pookkal
as Seythalavi
1980
Chamaram
as Father
1980
Thakara
as Chellappanasar
1979
Aaravam
as Maruthu
1978
1978
-
Movies
Rasam
Screenplay
2015
Angene Oru Avadhikkalathu
Writer
1999
Oru Kadankatha Pole
Writer
1993
Aalavattam
Story
1993
Pooram
Writer
1989
Pooram
Director
1989
Thalavattam
Story
1986
Kattathe Kilikkoodu
Story
1983
