Murali (25 May 1954 - 6 August 2009) was an Indian actor and author. He mainly acted in Malayalam and Tamil films. He won the National Award for best actor for his portrayal of a freedom fighter and professional weaver in the film Neythukaran. He was also a stage actor and television serial actor. He was known for his powerful portrayal of character roles, lead roles, and negative roles.
Besides acting, he was the chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy from 2006 until death. He also authored five books, and was also a Sangeetha Nataka Academy award winner. He contested the 1999 Lok Sabha polls as a communist candidate without success.
Murali was born on 25 May 1954 as the first child of P. Krishna Pillai and K. Devaki Amma at Kudavattoor, Kollam, Kerala, India. 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 Thiruvananthapuram Law Academy. 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.
Murali debuted into 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 the noted film makers 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. Adharam, directed by George Kittu, was the first film to be released with Murali in 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", Veeralippattu, Achan Kombathu Amma Varambathu, Meenamasathile Sooryan, Swarnam, and The Truth.
Murali acted in the longest TV commercial ever on Indian TV, spanning 150 seconds. This was for Air Deccan in 2005.
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.
Murali authored five books. His book on Kumaranasan, Abhinethavum Asante Kavithayum (Actor and Asan's Poetry) won him the Sangeetha Nataka Academy award. One of his other critically acclaimed books was Abhinyathinte Rasathanthram (Chemistry of Acting).
Murali 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.
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.
Awards
National Award For the best actor: Neythukaran (2001)
Kerala state award for best actor: Adharam (1992), Kanakinavu (1996), Thalolam (1998), and Neythukaran (2001).
Kerala State Award for best supporting actor: Amaram (1989), Veeralipattu & Pranayakaalam (2007)
FilmFare award
Madras Film fans Award
Kerala Film Critics Award
Shivaram award
Best columnist award: For his feature "Vyazhaporul" in Malayala Manorama newspaper.
Movie |
Year |
Producer |
Director |
Njaattadi |
1981 |
KN Sreenivasan,TK Kochunarayanan |
Bharath Gopi |
Panchaagni |
1986 |
GP Vijayakumar,Panthalam Gopinath |
T Hariharan |
Meenamaasathile Sooryan |
1986 |
CG Bhaskaran |
Lenin Rajendran |
Chidambaram |
1986 |
Saj Production |
G Aravindan |
Nidhiyude Kadha |
1986 |
__ |
Vijayakrishnan |
Oru Meymaasappulariyil |
1987 |
Alex Kadavil |
VR Gopinath |
Swaathy Thirunaal |
1987 |
GP Vijayakumar |
Lenin Rajendran |
Neeyethra Dhanya |
1987 |
|
Jeasy |
Theertham |
1987 |
GP Vijayakumar |
M Mohan |
Rithubedam |
1987 |
Augustine Elanjippalli |
Prathap Pothen |
Ezhuthaappurangal |
1987 |
Mathew George |
Sibi Malayil |
Nombarathippoovu |
1987 |
Gandhimathi Balan |
P Padmarajan |
Jaalakam |
1987 |
M Chandrika |
Harikumar |
Archanappookkal |
1987 |
Praphulachandran |
Mahesh Soman |
Mizhiyithalil Kanneerumaayi |
1987 U |
Sangamitra Movies |
Prakash Koleri |
Arjun Dennis (Vice Chancellor) |
1988 |
PT Xavier |
Thevalakkara Chellappan |
Ayitham |
1988 |
S Ambika,S Radha |
Venu Nagavally |
Moonam Mura |
1988 |
GP Vijayakumar |
K Madhu |
Puraavritham |
1988 |
MK Aniyan |
Lenin Rajendran |
Kanakaambarangal |
1988 |
AP Lal |
N Sankaran Nair |
Vida Parayaan Maathram |
1988 |
T B C Presents |
PK Joseph |
Oohakkachavadam |
1988 |
Shobha Anand |
K Madhu |
David David Mr David |
1988 |
AV Govindankutty,Rajan |
Viji Thampy |
Mattoraal |
1988 |
S Sankaran Kutty,V Punnoos |
KG George |
Samvalsarangal |
1988 |
Sundari International |
KC Sathyan |
Yaathrayude Anthyam |
1988 |
Dooradarshan |
KG George |
Varavelpu |
1989 |
K Rajagopal |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Asthikal Pookkunnu |
1989 |
Pebbles |
P Sreekumar |
Aattinakkare |
1989 |
Hemambika Movies |
SL Puram Anand |
Kaalalppada |
1989 |
Sagara Movie Makers |
Viji Thampy |
Padippura |
1989 |
Jamal Poonthath |
PN Menon |
Kireedam |
1989 |
N Krishnakumar (Kireedam Unni),Dinesh Panicker |
Sibi Malayil |
Artham |
1989 |
Soorya Chandralal |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Dasaratham |
1989 |
Appachan (VC George),Sreenivasa Shenoy,AP Antony |
Sibi Malayil |
Maharaajaavu |
1989 |
Vaisakh Production |
P Krishnaraj |
Anakha (Ormayil Oru Nimisham) |
1989 |
Joseph Ozhukayil,Jo Joseph |
Babu Narayanan |
Naaduvaazhikal |
1989 |
GP Vijayakumar |
Joshi |
Pandu Pandoru Desathu |
1989 U |
|
Devarajan |
Aye Auto |
1990 |
Maniyanpilla Raju |
Venu Nagavally |
Mathilukal |
1990 |
Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
Kalikkalam |
1990 |
Mathew George |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Kuttettan |
1990 |
Babu Thomas |
Joshi |
Ee Thanutha Veluppaakaalathu |
1990 |
Gandhimathi Balan |
Joshi |
Appu |
1990 |
GP Vijayakumar |
Dennis Joseph |
Ee Kanni Koodi |
1990 |
Auseppachan |
KG George |
Orukkam |
1990 |
Akshaya |
K Madhu |
Vembanaad |
1990 |
|
Prof Sivaprasad |
Maalayogam |
1990 |
N Krishnakumar (Kireedam Unni) |
Sibi Malayil |
Laal Salaam |
1990 |
KR Gangadharan |
Venu Nagavally |
Vidyaarambham |
1990 |
GP Vijayakumar |
Jayaraj |
Purappaadu |
1990 |
Mac Ali |
Jeasy |
Kshanakkathu |
1990 |
Mathew George |
TK Rajeev Kumar |
Unnikuttanu Joli Kitti |
1990 |
VR Gopinath |
VR Gopinath |
Kadavu |
1991 |
MT Vasudevan Nair |
MT Vasudevan Nair |
Saanthwanam |
1991 |
Auseppachan |
Sibi Malayil |
Aakaashakottayile Sulthaan |
1991 |
KT Kunjumon |
Jayaraj |
Vishnulokam |
1991 |
G Suresh Kumar,Sanal Kumar |
Kamal |
Aparaahnam |
1991 |
MP Sukumaran Nair |
MP Sukumaran Nair |
Inspector Balram |
1991 |
Liberty Basheer |
IV Sasi |
Pookkaalam Varavayi |
1991 |
S Pavamani |
Kamal |
Amaram |
1991 |
Babu Thiruvalla |
Bharathan |
Bharatham |
1991 |
Mohanlal |
Sibi Malayil |
Keli |
1991 |
Ganga Movie Makers |
Bharathan |
Kanalkkaattu |
1991 |
Siyad Kokker |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Kizhakkunarum Pakshi |
1991 |
PKR Pillai |
Venu Nagavally |
Ulladakkam |
1991 |
Suresh Balaji |
Kamal |
Dhanam |
1991 |
Atlas Ramachandran |
Sibi Malayil |
Adayaalam |
1991 |
Janardhanan |
K Madhu |
Puthiya Adhyaayam |
1991 D |
|
Durai |
My Dear Mutthachan |
1992 |
Joy Thomas |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Mahaanagaram |
1992 |
KG George |
TK Rajeev Kumar |
Sathyaprathijna |
1992 |
Bapu |
Suresh Unnithan |
Snehasaagaram |
1992 |
Siyad Kokker |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Kauravar |
1992 |
Sasidharan Pillai |
Joshi |
Aadhaaram |
1992 |
N Krishnakumar (Kireedam Unni) |
George Kithu |
Kamaladalam |
1992 |
Mohanlal |
Sibi Malayil |
Valayam |
1992 |
Augustine Elanjippalli |
Sibi Malayil |
Chambakkulam Thachan |
1992 |
VP Madhavan Nair |
Kamal |
Aardram |
1992 |
Jayan Mulangad |
Suresh Unnithan |
Sadayam |
1992 |
GP Vijayakumar |
Sibi Malayil |
Bhoomigeetham |
1993 |
S Pavamani |
Kamal |
Magreeb |
1993 |
|
PT Kunju Muhammad |
Porutham |
1993 |
Prasad Chengannur |
Kaladharan |
Aakaasha Doothu |
1993 |
Prem Prakash,Thomas |
Sibi Malayil |
Janam |
1993 |
Mani C Kappan |
Viji Thampy |
Venkalam |
1993 |
VV Babu |
Bharathan |
Chamayam |
1993 |
GP Vijayakumar |
Bharathan |
Naaraayam |
1993 |
Raju Pilakkad |
Sasi Sankar |
Arthana |
1993 |
LV Prasad |
IV Sasi |
Chakoram |
1994 |
VV Babu |
MA Venu |
Sankeerthanam |
1994 U |
Chakravarthy Film Corperation |
Uncategorized |
Praayikkara Paapaan |
1995 |
SK Bhadra |
TS Suresh Babu |
The King |
1995 |
Mac Ali |
Shaji Kailas |
Indian Military Intelligence |
1995 |
KG Nair |
TS Suresh Babu |
Saakshyam |
1995 |
KR Balakrishnan,Rajan Manakkalathu |
M Mohan |
Achan Kombathu Amma Varambathu |
1995 |
Saji Thomas |
Anil Kumar,Babu Narayanan |
Mangalyasoothram |
1995 |
PT Xavier |
Sajan |
Chaithanyam |
1995 |
VH Azeez,VH Razzak,VH Rasheed |
Jayan Adiyattu |
Thoovalkkottaaram |
1996 |
PV Gangadharan |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Sammohanam |
1996 |
CP Padmakumar |
CP Padmakumar |
Kaanaakkinaavu |
1996 |
PV Gangadharan |
Sibi Malayil |
Rajaputhran |
1996 |
Dinesh Panicker |
Shajoon Karyal |
Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan |
1996 |
Alwin Antony |
Thulasidas |
Irattakkuttikalude Achan |
1997 |
VP Madhavan Nair |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Adivaaram |
1997 |
Rona George |
Joy Thomas |
Gangothri |
1997 |
Golden Movies |
Anil Vakkom |
Sankeerthanam Pole |
1997 |
Chakravarthy Film Corperation |
Jeasy |
Kaarunyam |
1997 |
Abdul Azeez |
AK Lohithadas |
Soorya (Bhoopathi) |
1997 |
|
Joshi |
Thaalolam |
1998 |
Jayaraj |
Jayaraj |
Rakthasaakshikal Sindaabaad |
1998 |
Bhavadhara |
Venu Nagavally |
Thirakalkkappuram |
1998 |
KR Louis |
Anil Adithyan |
Kaattathoru Penpoovu |
1998 |
Benny Chacko,Pradeep |
Mohan Kupleri |
Kallukondoru Pennu |
1998 |
G Jayakumar |
Shyama Prasad |
The Truth |
1998 |
Ashraf |
Shaji Kailas |
Sooryaputhran |
1998 |
Babu Thomas,Pradeep Paliyath |
Thulasidas |
Garshom |
1999 |
Jayapala Menon |
PT Kunju Muhammad |
The Godman |
1999 |
Thanoof Karim |
K Madhu |
Pathram |
1999 |
GP Vijayakumar,K Gangadath |
Joshi |
Daadaasaahib |
2000 |
Sargam Kabeer |
Vinayan |
Devadoothan |
2000 |
Siyad Kokker |
Sibi Malayil |
Sparsham |
2000 |
Chandralekha Films |
Mohanroop |
Susanna |
2000 |
TV Chandran |
TV Chandran |
Kannaadikkadavathu |
2000 |
A Aboobacker |
Sooryan Kunissery |
Jagapoga |
2001 |
K Thomas George,Shan Kadavathoor |
Dhanwanthari |
Sukhamo Sukham |
2001 D |
KV Siva |
KR Joshi |
Sesham |
2002 |
Latha Kurian Rajeev |
TK Rajeev Kumar |
Nizhalkkuthu |
2002 |
Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
Neythukaaran |
2002 |
SM Das |
Priyanandanan |
Aabharanachaarthu |
2002 |
C Ramkumar |
IV Sasi |
Neelakaasham Niraye |
2002 |
Usha Pookayi |
AR Kasim |
CID Moosa |
2003 |
Dileep,Anoop |
Johny Antony |
Gramaphone |
2003 |
Kabeer Palakkad |
Kamal |
The Fire |
2003 |
Mahesh |
Sankar Krishna |
Runway |
2004 |
Noushad |
Joshi |
Maaraatha Naadu |
2004 |
Nanma |
Haridas |
Pravaasam |
2004 |
Leena R Chandran |
Kalidas Puthumana |
Iruvattam Manavaatti |
2005 |
Girish Balakrishnan Marar |
R Sanal |
Kochiraajaavu |
2005 |
R Mohan |
Johny Antony |
Annorikkal |
2005 |
Kottarathil Thampi |
Sarathchandran Wayanad |
The Tiger |
2005 |
Sasi Ayyanchira |
Shaji Kailas |
Kanne Madanguka |
2005 |
Anil Babu Balakrishnan |
Albert |
Achanurangaatha veedu |
2006 |
Reji Puthayath |
Lal Jose |
Vadakkumnathan |
2006 |
Govindan Kutty,Rajan Thalipparambu |
Shajoon Karyal |
Pulijanmam |
2006 |
MG Vijay |
Priyanandanan |
Photographer |
2006 |
Houli Pottoor |
Ranjan Pramod |
Smart City |
2006 |
GP Vijayakumar |
B Unnikrishnan |
Baba Kalyani |
2006 |
Antony Perumbavoor |
Shaji Kailas |
Vaasthavam |
2006 |
Sreechakra Films |
M Padmakumar |
Ekaantham |
2006 |
Antony Joseph |
Madhu Kaithapram |
Achante Ponnumakkal |
2006 |
Lumere Films |
Akhilesh Guruvilas |
Drishtaantham |
2006 |
MP Sukumaran Nair |
MP Sukumaran Nair |
Vinodayaathra |
2007 |
MM Hamsa |
Sathyan Anthikkad |
Pranayakaalam |
2007 |
AV Anoop |
Uday Anandan |
Veeraalippattu |
2007 |
|
Kukku Surendran |
Naalu Pennungal |
2007 |
Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
Adoor Gopalakrishnan |
Cycle |
2008 |
Thilakan Thandassery,Sunny Kuruvilla,Viswanathan Nair |
Johny Antony |
Sound of Boot |
2008 |
Pyramid Saimira Productions |
Shaji Kailas |
Swarnnam |
2008 |
Soman Pallatt |
Venugopan |
Aayudham |
2008 |
Channel Enterprises |
MA Nishad |
Gemini (2002) |
2008 D |
Beena Soman |
Saran |
Pathaam Adhyaayam |
2009 |
AK Sheik Nazar |
PK Radhakrishnan |
Bhaarya Onnu Makkal Moonnu |
2009 |
Alex |
Rajasenan |
Kshathriyavamsam (Gemini 2003) |
2009 D |
G Pictures |
Saran |
Venshankhupol [Ekadasi] |
2011 |
Sanal Thottam |
Ashok R Nath |
Manjaadikkuru |
2012 |
Vinod Menon,Anjali Menon |
Anjali Menon |
Aadavan |
2013 D |
Jebba |
KS Ravikumar |
Njaan Brahma |
2014 D |
Vijins |
Bala |