Murali (Malayalam actor)


Muraleedharan Pillai, popularly known as Murali was an Indian film, stage and television actor and author. He mainly appeared in Malayalam films and a few Tamil films and also many other movies. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Appa Mestry, a communist freedom fighter and professional weaver in the 2002 film Neythukaran. Regarded by film critics as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema, he was known for his powerful portrayal of character roles, lead roles and negative roles.
Murali started his film career playing villain roles and soon turned to character acting. He played the leading role in the 1992 film Aadhaaram, which gave a "break" to his career. The film was well received at the box office and Murali ascended to the status of a star in Malayalam cinema, which he enjoyed for a few years during the 1990s.
Besides acting, he was the chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy from 2006 until his death. He also authored five books, and was also a Sangeetha Nataka Academy award winner. He contested at the 1999 Lok Sabha polls as a communist candidate without success. He was also the Director of the CPI promoted television company Malayalam Communications, which runs Malayalam TV channels Kairali TV, People TV and WE TV. His last film was the 2009 Tamil film Aadhavan. He is one of the founders of the Malayalam film actors association AMMA.

Early life

Murali was born on 20 February 1954 as the first of five children to P. Krishna Pillai and K. Devaki Amma at Kudavattoor, Kollam, Kerala, India. He has four siblings, Thulasi, Sheela, Harikumar and Sheeja. He did his schooling from Kudavattoor L. P. School and Thrikannamangalam S. K. V. High School. He passed the pre-degree from M.G. College, Thiruvananthapuram and his Degree from Devaswom Board College, Sasthamkotta. He was an active member of the Students Federation of India. He took an LL.B degree from the Kerala Law Academy Law College, Thiruvananthapuram. After studies, he worked for some years as Lower Division Clerk in the Department of Health, Government of Kerala and as Upper Division Clerk in the office of Kerala University. He was married to his first cousin Mini and has a daughter Karthika. His daughter married Sonoop R. Nair on 15 July 2016

Career

Film actor

Murali debuted in films with the lead role in Njattadi, directed by Bharath Gopi. But the film was never released. He then got chance to act in Chidambaram, directed by the National Award-winning filmmaker Aravindan. He then acted in Meenamasathile Sooryan and Panchagni, directed by Lenin Rajendran and Hariharan, respectively. Panchagni got released first and it gave him the break in his acting career. He soon established himself as a powerful actor in the Malayalam film industry. Aadhaaram, directed by George Kittu, was the first film to be released with Murali in a lead role. He acted in a variety of roles, ranging from lead roles to villain roles, and won accolades. Some of his other notable films include Nee Ethra Dhanya, Dhanam, The King, Pathram, Chakoram, Veeralippattu, Achan Kombathu Amma Varambathu, Meenamasathile Sooryan, Swarnam, Kaarunyam and The Truth"Amaram". Also worth-mentioning are his remarkable portrayals as a toddy tapper in Malayogam and as trade union leader in Varavelppu.
Murali acted in the longest TV commercial ever on Indian TV, spanning 150 seconds. This was for Air Deccan in 2005.

Stage actor

Murali was actively involved with Natyagriham, a drama venture started by actor Narendra Prasad. Murali won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Ravana in the Malayalam play Lanka Lakshmi, which was based on C. N. Sreekantan Nair's novel of the same name. He was also associated with G. Sankara Pillai in doing theatre plays.

Author

Murali authored five books. His book on Kumaranasan, Abhinethavum Asan Kavithayum won him the Sangeetha Nataka Academy award. One of his other critically acclaimed books was Abhinyathinte Rasathanthram.

Politician

Murali was a member of Communist Party of India and has contested the 1999 Lok Sabha polls from the Alappuzha constituency as a Left Democratic Front candidate, but lost to V. M. Sudheeran of Indian National Congress.

Death

Murali died in Thiruvananthapuram on 6 August 2009 at the age of 55, due to acute diabetes which led to a heart attack at 8.20 PM IST. He was cremated with full state honours at his home in Aruvikkara, which he had bought some years prior to his death.

Awards

National Film Awards:
Kerala State Film Awards:
Kerala state TV Awards
Filmfare Awards:
Other awards:

As Actor

Malayalam

  1. Ramaleela ... as Sakhavu Raghavan
  2. Manjadikuru ... Sanyasi Maaman
  3. Ven Shanku Pol
  4. Patham Adhyayam... Kumaran Ashari
  5. Malayali
  6. Kshatriyavamsam
  7. Sound of Boot
  8. Swarnam
  9. Cycle
  10. Aayudham
  11. Pranayakalam... ASI Varghese
  12. Veeralipattu
  13. Naalu Pennungal
  14. Drishtantham
  15. Vinodayathra
  16. Eakantham... Ravunni Menon
  17. Pulijanmam... Kari Gurukkal
  18. Photographer
  19. Baba Kalyani
  20. Vasthavam
  21. Achante Ponnumakkal
  22. Vadakkumnadhan
  23. Annorikkal
  24. The Tiger
  25. Kanne Madanguka.... Bhagyanadhan
  26. Iruvattam Manavaatti
  27. Kochi Rajavu... Dileep's father
  28. Runway... Bhai
  29. Nizhalkuthu
  30. Pravaasam
  31. Maratha Nadu... Kunjikka
  32. The Fire... Sacaria George
  33. Anyar
  34. C.I.D. Moosa... Chief Minister
  35. Gramophone
  36. Shivam
  37. Shesham
  38. Neythukaran
  39. Neelakasham Niraye
  40. Aabharanacharthu
  41. Jagapoga
  42. Sukhamo Sukam
  43. Dada Sahib... Doctor
  44. Devadoothan
  45. Sparsham
  46. Susanna... Josekutty
  47. Kallu Kondoru Pennu .... Haridas
  48. Kannaadikkadavathu
  49. Garshom
  50. The Godman... Home Minister
  51. Independence
  52. Pathram... Shekharan
  53. The Truth
  54. Kaikudunna Nilavu
  55. Thalolam
  56. Thirakalkkappuram
  57. Kattathoru Penpoovu
  58. Rakthasakshikal Sindabad
  59. Bhoopathi
  60. Gangothri
  61. Guru
  62. Karunyam
  63. Adivaram
  64. Irattakuttikalude Achan
  65. Sankeerthanampole
  66. Thooval Kottaram
  67. Sammohanam
  68. Rajaputhran
  69. Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan
  70. Kanakkinavu
  71. Chaithanyam
  72. Mangala Soothram
  73. The King
  74. Indian Military Intelligence
  75. Achan Kombathu Amma Varampathu
  76. Prayikkara Pappan
  77. Sakshyam
  78. Sankeerthanam
  79. Chakoram
  80. Sammohanam
  81. Akashadoothu
  82. Bhoomi Geetham
  83. Magrib
  84. Porutham
  85. Chamayam
  86. Janam... Balachandran
  87. Naaraayam
  88. Venkalam
  89. Porutham
  90. Mahanagaram
  91. Kauravar .... Rajagopal
  92. Aadhaaram
  93. Champakulam Thachan
  94. My Dear Muthachan
  95. Sathyaprathijna
  96. Kamaladalam
  97. Sadayam
  98. Arthana
  99. Snehasagaram
  100. Valayam
  101. Aardram ... Uppan Raghavan
  102. Kanalkkattu
  103. Inspector Balram
  104. Amaram
  105. Aakasha Kottayile Sultan
  106. Dhanam
  107. Kadavu
  108. Keli
  109. Adayalam
  110. Oru Yaathrayude Anthyam
  111. Kizhakkunarum Pakshi... Johnny
  112. Pookkalam Varavayi
  113. Vishnulokam
  114. Sandhwanam
  115. Ulladakkam
  116. Kalikkalam
  117. Appu
  118. Aye Auto
  119. Ee Kannikoodi
  120. Lal Salam
  121. Maalayogam
  122. Kuttettan
  123. Kshanakkathu
  124. Unnikuttanu Joli Kitti
  125. Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu
  126. Orukkam... Chandru
  127. Vidhyarambham
  128. Artham
  129. Varavelppu
  130. Asthikal Pookkunnu
  131. Dasharatham
  132. Padippura
  133. Mathilukal
  134. Maharajavu
  135. Pandu Pandoru Desathu
  136. Kaalal Pada
  137. Anagha ... Thommachan
  138. Kireedam
  139. Naaduvazhikal
  140. Moonnam Mura
  141. Padippura
  142. Arjun Dennis
  143. Ayitham... Kacheri Mani Iyyer
  144. Mattoral
  145. Samvalsaragal
  146. Puravrutham ... Achu
  147. Kanakambarangal ... Ananthan Balussery
  148. Vida Parayaanmathram
  149. Oohakachavadam
  150. David David Mr David
  151. Oru Maymasapulariyil
  152. Swathi Thirunal
  153. Rithubetham ... Appu
  154. Nombarathipoovu
  155. Jaalakam
  156. Archanapookkal
  157. Ezhuthapurangal
  158. Neeyethra Dhanya
  159. Nombarathi Poovu
  160. Panchagni
  161. Chidambaram
  162. Meenamasathile Sooryan ... Abubacker
  163. Njattadi

    Tamil

  164. Kaaviyyan – Posthumous film
  165. Aadhavan – Posthumous film
  166. Polladhavan
  167. Majaa
  168. Raam
  169. Ullam Ketkumae
  170. Joot
  171. Raajjiyam
  172. Gemini
  173. Dumm Dumm Dumm

    Telugu

  174. Gemini

    As Producer