Thilakan (1935-2012) was an Indian actor who appeared mainly in Mollywood films. He has appeared in more than 200 films and many stage plays. Some of his notable roles were in the films Yavanika (1982), Perumthachan (1990), Kireedam (1989) and Ustad Hotel (2012). Thilakan died of a heart attack at the age of 77.
Wiki/Biography
Palappurathu Kesavan Surendranatha Thilakan or PV Surendranatha Thilakan was born on Monday, July 15, 1935 in Plankamon (age 77 years; at the time of death) in Ayiroor village, Travancore, British India (now Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India). His zodiac sign is Cancer. He was educated at St Louis LP School, Mundakkayam, CMS English High School, Mundakkayam and MD Seminary, Kottayam. According to him, his teacher Mariyakutty was the first person to discover his talent. He acted in a play called Kittunnathil Pathi written by the teacher for the school’s annual function. His college education was completed at Sree Narayana College, Quilon. During college, she starred in stage plays.
Tilakan when he was young
family
Thilakan hails from a Hindu family of the Ezhava caste in Kerala.
Parents and siblings
Thilakan’s father was Palappurath TS Kesavan (1904-1972), an employee of the Travancore Tea and Rubber Company in Mundakayam. His mother was PS Devayani (1912-2010), a housewife. According to him, his father was a strict disciplinarian and his character Chacko Maash in the film Spadikam was loosely based on his father. His mother disagreed with him regarding his choice of career. He was the second of six children.
Thilakan and his mother interviewed
wife and children
It is understood that Tilakan is not married to any partner. His first partner was the actress Sansa. His children with Santha are Shaji, Shammi and Shobi. Shaji Thilakan was an actor who died of liver disease in 2020 at the age of 56.
Thilakan’s sons Shaji and Shammi
Shammi and Shobi Thilakan are excellent voiceover artists and actors. Thilakan’s grandson Abhimanyu S. Thilakan is an actor, film producer and entrepreneur.
Shobi Thilakan, son of Thilakan
Abhimanyu, grandson of Tilakan
His second partner is his co-artist Sarojam. Their three children are Shibu, Sofia and Sonia. Sofia Ajith is a medical professional and Dr. Sonia Thilakan is a dentist.
Thilakan and his partner Sarojam
Thilakan and his daughter Sonia, Ph.D.
Relationships/Affairs
In an interview, Thilakan admitted to having multiple relationships, including with his partner Shanta and Sarojam.
Religion/Religious Views
Tilakan was an atheist until his death. It is understood that he does not visit temples unless required for performances. Journalist Shevlin Sebastian quoted him in a column:
It is not God who is omnipotent, but our hearts. “
At the same time, he also acknowledged the mystery behind the many outstanding performances by many talented people.
Signature/Autograph
Tilakan’s signature
Profession
early career
After dropping out, he briefly joined the Indian Army. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, his legs were severely affected. The military doctor decided to amputate his leg without the consent of the patient and his relatives. As it happened, then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited the patient at the Army facility and Tilakan demanded that consent of the patient or his relatives for such surgery should be mandatory. The rules were soon changed and Thilakan’s tenure in the Indian Army came to an end.
theater
He and his friends founded a theater group called Mundakayam Nataka Samithi. He also worked with the People’s Arts Club of Kerala till 1966. Later, he worked with Kalidasa Kalakendram, Changanacherry Geedha and PJ Antony theater troupe in Quilong. He counts legendary theater director, actor and author PJ Antony as his mentor. He has performed in several plays for All India Radio.
Thilakan with the troupe after the first stage performance of the play “Socialism”
Movie
Thilakan made his debut with the film Periyar in 1973, but neither the film nor the role played by Thilakan attracted attention. His first leading role was Kallu Varkky in KG George’s film Kolangal (1981), which received critical acclaim.
Thilakan in the movie Kolangal
He played the role of troupe owner Vakkachan in the film Yavanika (1982), which won him the second Best Actor Award at the Kerala State Film Awards. Thilakan’s roles in films such as Ente Mammattukkuttiyammakku (1983), Adminte Variyellu (1983), Panchavadi Palam (1984), Yathra (1985), Panchagni (1986) and Gandhinagar 2nd Street (1986) were well received by the audience. Thilakan’s performance as Naduvancheril Achunni Nair in the film Rithubhedam (1987) won him the National Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Thilakan on the movie Rithubhedam poster
The role of Pastor Panamgodhan in the film Mrugaya (1989) along with Varunni played by Mammootty was well received by critics and audiences alike. The movie won a lot of praise for its different storyline and presentation.
Thilakan in the movie Mrugaya
Thilakan’s role as Raman Perumthachan in the period drama “Perumthachan” (1991), written by MT Vasudevan Nair, was a milestone in his career. The film is based on the legendary folklore of Kerala, Parayi Petta Panthirukulam. The role earned him the Best Actor award at the Kerala State Film Awards. The film is considered a classic in the Malayalam film industry.
Thilakan’s character in director Satyam Antikard’s film was well-loved by the audience. Some of the duo’s films include “Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam” (1986), “Pappan Priyappetta Pappan” (1986), “Kudumbapuranam” (1988), “Varavelppu” (1989), “Sasneham” (1990), “Sandesham” ( 1991) and Pingami (1994). Thilakan received widespread recognition and critical acclaim for her role as Raghavan Nair, a retired railway station master in the film Sandsham.
Thilakan’s various roles include emotional roles in films like the grandfather in Moonnam Pakkam (1988), comic roles in Nadodikkattu (1987) and Pattanapravesham (1988), and Namukku Parkkan The villain in Munthirithoppukal” (1986). ) and Kattukuthira (1990). He has appeared in Tamil films such as “Sathriyan” (1990) and “Ayudha Poojai” (1995).
Thilakan during the shooting of the movie Moonnam Pakkam
The combination of Thilakan and Mohanlal has always been one of the favorites among the audiences. Some of these films include “Kireedam” (1989), “Manichitrathazhu” (1993), “Chenkol” (1993), “Pavithram” (1994), “Spadikam” (1995) and “Evidam Swargamanu” (2009).
Thilakan in the movie Evidam Swargamanu
Thilakan played the role of Kareemikka in his last film release, Durgai Salle in Ustad Hotel (2012) The wise and lovable grandfather of the character played by Dulquer Salman.
Thilakan on the poster of the movie “Hotel Ustad”
television
Tillachan appeared in television series later in his career. Anveshi and Mannu series is aired on DD channel. Asianet channel aired Kadamattathu Kathanar, Orma and Swami Ayyappan serials. Sree Ayyappanum Vavarum, Madhavam and Peythozhiyathe are aired on Surya channel.
dispute
Allegations of misconduct at National Awards
In an interview, Thilakan claimed that till the last round, the National Awards jury had favored him for the Best Actor award for his role in the film “Perumthachan”. He further alleged that due to certain political reasons, the intervention of political leaders changed the decision in favor of Amitabh Bachchan.
Differences from FEFKA and AMMA associations
Thilakan was reportedly changed from the film The Christian Brothers (2010) due to the intervention of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), when he had signed up for the role. Thilakan publicly protested against the issue, for which the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) issued a “Show Cause” notice. Additionally, he was replaced in the film Dam 999 (2011). His character was later played by Rajit Kapoor.
Allegations against Nair community relations in Malayalam film industry
Thilakan claimed that the “Nair lobby” among Malayalam actors diverted his various roles to actors from the Nair community. According to him, actors from backward castes are not very popular in the industry.
Awards and Honors
- Thilakan was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009.
- 1987 Rithubhedam National Award for Best Supporting Actor.
- In 2006 and 2012, he won the National Film Award Special Jury Award for the films “Eakantham” and “Ustad Hotel” respectively.
Thilakan at the National Film Awards
- He won the 2nd Best Actor Award at the Kerala State Film Awards six times. They shot the movie “Yavanika” in 1981, “Yathra” in 1985, “Panchagni” in 1986, “Thaniyavarthanam” in 1987, “Mukthi” and “Dhwani” in 1988, and in 1991 Filming for the movie “Kattathoru Penpoovu”.
- In 1989, he received the Kerala State Special Jury Award for several films.
- He won the Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor twice, in 1990 for the film “Perumthachan” and in 1994 for “Gamanam” and “Santhanagopalam”.
- In 2001, he received the AsiaNet Film Lifetime Achievement Award.
- In 2006, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Southern Filmfare Awards.
- In 2007, he was awarded the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Scholarship by the Sangeetha Nataka Akademi of Kerala.
- In 2010, he received the Bharat Gopy Award established by Manavaseva Welfare Society.
- In 2011, he won the South Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie “Indian Rupee”.
die
Thilakan has long suffered from various health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. On August 1, 2012, he was admitted to Thrissur Hospital after he collapsed on the sets of the film “Scene Onnu Nammude Veedu”. He was later shifted to KIMSHEALTH Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. While hospitalized, he suffered from pneumonia and multiple heart attacks. He died of a heart attack on September 24, 2012. He was cremated with state honors at the Electric Crematorium, Tikaud, Thiruvananthapuram.
National honors at Tilakan funeral
Facts/Trivia
- Thilakan is performed in all South Indian languages - Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
- Thilakan loves to drive. He once drove long distances in Kerala to shoot.
- He is the father of many mainstream actors like Mohanlal, Mammootty, Kunchacko Boban and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Every father role played by Thilakan has been greatly appreciated and accepted by the audience.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education