Sukumaran

For people with the surname, see Sukumaran (surname).
Sukumaran
Born Sukumaran Nair
10 June 1948
Edappal, Malappuram,
India
Died 16 June 1997 (aged 49)
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Occupation Actor, producer
Years active 1973–1995
Spouse(s) Mallika Sukumaran
Children Indrajith Sukumaran
Prithviraj Sukumaran
Parent(s) Parameshwaran Nair
Subhadramma

Edappal Ponnamkuzhi Veettil Sukumaran Nair (10 June 1948 – 16 June 1997), popularly known as Sukumaran, was an Indian film actor and producer.[1]

Sukumaran became a popular film star in Malayalam cinema during the 1970s. He was considered as one of the superstar trio of Malayalam cinema during the late 1970s and early 1980s along with M. G. Soman and Jayan. Later, he became known for his character roles and antagonistic roles during the 1980s and 1990s. In 1978, he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in M. T. Vasudevan Nair's Bandhanam. As a producer, he produced such films as Irakal and Padayani.

In June 1997, Sukumaran suffered a massive heart attack and died. He was 49.

Early life

Sukumaran was born in Edappal, Malappuram, India, as the elder son of Parameshwaran Nair and Subhadramma.[2] He had a brother and two sisters. After completing his master's degree, he began a job as a college lecturer.

Career

During his tenure teaching English at Scott Christian College in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. Sukumaran then got an offer to act in the Malayalam movie Nirmalyam, directed by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. He accepted the role of a defiant youngster in the film. The film went on to win accolades from all over and won a couple of National Film Awards as well. Despite being noted as a talented actor, Sukumaran did not receive any offers for some time after. He was thinking of returning to the teaching profession, when he was offered a role in Shankupushpam.[3] With that film, Sukumaran carved a niche for himself in the Malayalam film industry. He worked with director P. Venu in the film Thacholi Thankappan (1983). He then went on to act in substantial roles in films like Avalude Ravukal, Angadi, Bandhanam, Etho Oru Swapnam, Manasa Vacha Karmana, Ahimsha, Spodanam, Shalini Ente Koottukari, Angakkuri, Kolilakkam, Theekkadal, Sandarbam, Witness, and Kottayam Kunjachanan.[4] His role as a defiant police officer in Oru CBI Diary Kurippu and its sequel Jagratha, directed by K. Madhu, was noted for its characterisation and earned cult status when the third sequel in the series, Sethurama Iyer CBI, had Saikumar portraying the son of the police officer, with the mannerisms and voice tone of Sukumaran.Sukumaran won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 1978 for his role in Bandhanam.[2] Sukumaran had his own production company, called Indraraj Creations. One of his productions, Irakal, directed by K. G. George, was selected for the Indian Panorama in the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).[2] His last film was Shibiram, directed by T. S. Suresh Babu. Sukumaran died on 16 June 1997.

Personal life

Sukumaran married actress Mallika Sukumaran. They have two sons, both Malayalam film stars in their own right: Indrajith Sukumaran and Prithviraj Sukumaran.[5]

Awards

Filmography

  • Nirmalayam (1973) - Appu

References

External links