Veteran actor Nedumudi Venu passes away

Veteran actor Nedumudi Venu passed away on Monday. The 73-year-old actor, who has acted in more than 500 films, had recovered from Covid-19 infection. He was admitted to a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram again recently after he developed uneasiness.

One of the finest actors of the Indian film industry, he will be remembered for his versatility. The actor, who had won three National Film Awards and six Kerala State Film Awards for his various performances, had also written screenplays.

Venu, who started his career as a journalist with Kalakaumudi, forayed into the world of acting through theatre. He debuted on the big screen with ace filmmaker G. Aravindan’s Thambu in 1978.  He wrote the stories for the films Kattathe Kilikkoodu, Theertham, Sruthi, Ambada Njaane!, Oru Katha Oru Nunnakkatha, Savidham and Angane Oru Avadhikkalathu. He also tried his hand in direction with Pooram.

He won his first national award for Best Supporting Actor in 1990 for his performance in Mohanlal-starrer His Highness Abdullah. Venu, who was also a talented Mridangam player, portrayed his music skills in many Malayalam classics like Bharatham, His Highness Abdullah, Chithram  among others. Venu had also acted in television serials. In 2001, he won the best actor award at the Kerala State Television Awards for his performance in Avasthantharangal. 

He was recently seen on the big screen in the anthology Aanum Pennum. The thespian appeared in the ‘Rani’ segment, directed by Aashiq Abu.

Nedumudi Venu, who had frequently collaborated with Mohanlal in some of Mollywood’s iconic films, will next be seen with him in Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham and Aarattu.

Actor Prithviraj took to Twitter to share his tribute to the legendary actor. “Farewell Venu uncle! Your body of work and your expertise over the craft will forever be research material for generations to come! Rest in peace legend! #NedumudiVenu," he wrote.

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