Thilakan
Acting Born Jul 15, 1935 Died Sep 24, 2012 Ayroor, Kerala, India 285 credits
Biography
Surendranatha Thilakan, known mononymously as Thilakan, was an Indian film and stage actor born on July 15, 1935, in Ayroor, Kerala, India, and passed away on September 24, 2012, at the age of 77. His career spanned over four decades from 1972 to 2012, during which he starred in over 200 Malayalam films, with 287 known credits. Recognized for his excellence in character, antagonist, and protagonist roles, he is regarded as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema and popularly mentioned as the master craftsman of Malayalam cinema. He won three National Film Awards and nine Kerala State Film Awards, and the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2009 for his contributions to the arts.
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Thilakan — The Movie Database (TMDB)
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Career overview
Surendranatha Thilakan, known mononymously as Thilakan, was an Indian film and stage actor whose career spanned over four decades from 1972 to 2012. Born on July 15, 1935, in Ayroor, Kerala, India, he starred in over 200 Malayalam films. He was widely regarded as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema and was popularly referred to as the Perumthachan, or master craftsman, of Malayalam cinema. Throughout his career, he was recognized for his excellence in character, antagonist, and protagonist roles. His acting credits total 287 on the Movie Database platform.
Thilakan received numerous accolades during his career, including three National Film Awards and nine Kerala State Film Awards. In addition to these honors, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2009 for his contributions to the arts. Regarding his cinematic work, an interview noted that the jury chairman Ashok Kumar was keen on awarding him the 1991 National Film Award for Best Actor for his role in Perumthachan, though a political figure favored Amitabh Bachchan for the honor instead.
Thilakan passed away on September 24, 2012, at the age of 77. His extensive body of work in stage and screen productions cemented his legacy as a prominent figure in Indian entertainment, leaving a lasting impact on the Malayalam film industry through his decades of performance.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Dracula 2012God For SaleAugust ClubBreaking News Live
Mullamottum MunthiricharumScene Onnu Nammude VeeduUstad HotelSpiritSimhasanam
Raghuvinte Swantham RaziyaIndian RupeeBlack Truth
Yakshiyum NjanumDrona 2010Nayakan
HailesaKadha, Samvidhanam KunchackoOrkkuka VallappozhumKerala CafeKanmazha Peyyum Munpe
AlibhabhaManjadikuruAayudhamOne Way TicketDae! Ingottu Nokkiye...
NagaramBefore the RainsAthisayanPranayakalamEkantham
PakalKalabhamChinthamani KolacasePrajapathiSuyetchai MLA
Nerariyan CBIMayookham
VellinakshatramSathyamQuotation
Kilichundan MampazhamMalsaram
KalyanaramanBalaValkannadi
Randam Bhavam
Ingane Oru NilapakshiNarasimhamPriyamEe Mazha Then MazhaMazha
Prem PoojariSaaphalyamEnglish MediumKannezhuthi Pottum ThottuKallazhagar
SidharthaChinthavishtayaya ShyamalaNakshatratharattuMayilpeelikkavuPunjabi House
UllasappoonkattuOru Yaatra MozhiGangothriBoopathiAniyathipraavu
RajaputhranNaalamkettile Nalla ThambimarKaathil Oru KinnaramMetukudi
SpadikamThacholi Varghese ChekavarAchan Kombath Amma VarambathNo: 1 Snehatheeram Banglore NorthSundari Neeyum Sundaran Njanum
Sagaram SakshiPaksheKudumba ViseshamChukkanPingami
GhazalSarovaramSopanamBandhukkal SathrukkalSamagamam
Daivathinte VikrithikalMy Dear MuthachanMahanagaramEzhara PonnanaSadayam
SandhesamGodfatherVenal KinavukalGeorgekutty C/O GeorgekuttyKilukkam
ChatriyanOliyambukalKuttettanCheriya Lokavum Valiya ManushyarumNagarangalil Chennu Raparkam
NaaduvazhikalChakkikotha ChankaranNew YearPooramVarnam
OrkkapurathuOozhamMukthiSanghamWitness
Adimakal UdamakalUnnikale Oru Kadha ParayamKalam Mari Katha MariChilambuNadodikkattu
Poomukhappadiyil Ninneyum KaathuIce CreamAalorungi ArangorungiIthile Iniyum VaruArappatta Kettiya Graamathil
Vasantha SenaKanathaya PenkuttyKoodum ThediAnubandhamThammil Thammil
UyarangalilOnnanu NammalThirakil Alppam SamayamNokkethadhoorathu Kannum NattuAduthaduthu
Full Filmography
285 titles- Dracula 2012 (2013)
- God For Sale (2013) as Varghese
- August Club (2013) as KPT Menon
- Breaking News Live (2013)
- Mullamottum Munthiricharum (2012) as Vazhakkula Achan
- Scene Onnu Nammude Veedu (2012) as Vishwan
- Ustad Hotel (2012) as Kareem
- Spirit (2012) as Aashan
- Simhasanam (2012) as Bishop
- Ardhanaari (2012) as Nayak
- No. 66 Madhura Bus (2012) as Vettaikaran Varkey
- Raghuvinte Swantham Raziya (2011) as Kuttappan Bhagavathar
- Indian Rupee (2011) as Achutha Menon
- Black Truth (2011)
- Yakshiyum Njanum (2010) as Narayanji
- Drona 2010 (2010) as Gupthan Namboothiri
- Nayakan (2010) as Vincent Karanavar/ Vincent Vadakkan
- Hailesa (2009) as Shalini's foster father
- Kadha, Samvidhanam Kunchacko (2009) as Psychiatrist
- Orkkuka Vallappozhum (2009) as Sethumadhavan
- Kerala Cafe (2009) as Thirumeni
- Kanmazha Peyyum Munpe (2009)
- Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (2009) as Kurumbranaadu Raja Veera Varma
- Makante Achan (2009) as KC Francis
- Ee Pattanathil Bhootham (2009) as Senior Mantharavaadi
- Ividam Swargamanu (2009) as Jeremias
- Vairam (2009) as Thalikkulam Avarachan
- Kappalu Muthalali (2009) as Lord Yama
- Red Chillies (2009) as Sakhavu Mani Varghese
- Bharya Swantham Suhruthu (2009)
- Aayirathil Oruvan (2009) as Krishnan
- Alibhabha (2008) as Police Commissioner's father-in-law
- Manjadikuru (2008) as Appukuttan Nair
- Aayudham (2008) as Madhavan
- One Way Ticket (2008) as Karunakaran Ezhuthachan
- Dae! Ingottu Nokkiye... (2008)
- Nagaram (2007)
- Before the Rains (2007) as T.K.'s father
- Athisayan (2007) as Fr. Chanthakkadan
- Pranayakalam (2007)
- Ekantham (2007)
- Pakal (2006) as Kunjappan
- Kalabham (2006) as Sivarama Bhagavathar
- Chinthamani Kolacase (2006) as Veeramani Warrier
- Prajapathi (2006) as Vellodi
- Suyetchai MLA (2006)
- Rashtram (2006) as Saghav Gopalan
- Yes Your Honour (2006) as Sessions Judge Mukundan
- Kisan (2006) as Grand Father
- Nee Venunda Chellam (2006) as Viswanathan
- Nerariyan CBI (2005) as Kapra
- Mayookham (2005)
- Vellinakshatram (2004) as Valliyankattu Thirumeni
- Sathyam (2004) as Sathyavan Ayyappan Nair
- Quotation (2004)
- Kilichundan Mampazham (2003) as Chekutty Muthalali
- Malsaram (2003)
- Kalyanaraman (2002) as Meppattu Thirumeni
- Bala (2002) as Paranthaman
- Valkannadi (2002) as Raghavan
- Randam Bhavam (2001) as Govindji
- Ingane Oru Nilapakshi (2000)
- Narasimham (2000) as Maranchery Karunakara Menon
- Priyam (2000) as Church Priest
- Ee Mazha Then Mazha (2000)
- Mazha (2000) as Dr.
- Prem Poojari (1999)
- Saaphalyam (1999)
- English Medium (1999) as AEO
- Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu (1999) as Ettuveettil Natesan Muthalali
- Kallazhagar (1999) as Kamaluddin Father
- Samarasimha Reddy (1999) as Narasimha Reddy
- Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999) as Kochuthomman
- Pallavur Devanarayanan (1999) as Pallavur Sreekanta Pothuval
- Thachiledathu Chundan (1999) as Vikraman Nair
- Sidhartha (1998) as Raghavan
- Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (1998) as Karunan
- Nakshatratharattu (1998)
- Mayilpeelikkavu (1998) as Vallyathan
- Punjabi House (1998) as Kaimal
- The Truth (1998) as Shivapuram Patteri
- Meenathil Thalikettu (1998) as Govindan Nambeesan
- Elavamkodu Desam (1998) as Mooss
- Ullasappoonkattu (1997) as John Fernandez
- Oru Yaatra Mozhi (1997) as Adhruman
- Gangothri (1997) as Adv.Ramaiyyer
- Boopathi (1997) as Bava / Chindan (Aged)
- Aniyathipraavu (1997) as Raghupal
- Aravindhan (1997) as Gopalakrishnan Naidu
- Ishtadanam (1997)
- Rishyasringan (1997)
- Kulam (1997) as Kudaman Pillai
- Oral Mathram (1997) as Shekhara Menon
- Five Star Hospital (1997)
- Nagarapuranam (1997)
- Vaachalam (1997)
- Mangamma (1997) as Karuppan Mooppar
- Itha Oru Snehagatha (1997)
- Nee Varuvolam (1997) as Madhavan Nair
- Rajaputhran (1996) as Balaraman
- Naalamkettile Nalla Thambimar (1996) as Rasheed Khan
- Kaathil Oru Kinnaram (1996) as Dr. Unnithan
- Metukudi (1996)
- Spadikam (1995) as Chacko Master
- Thacholi Varghese Chekavar (1995) as Avarachan
- Achan Kombath Amma Varambath (1995) as Mahendran Thampi
- No: 1 Snehatheeram Banglore North (1995) as Vijayabhaskars's father
- Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njanum (1995)
- Minnaminuginum Minnukettu (1995) as Menon
- Ayudha Poojai (1995) as Samiyappan
- Chantha (1995) as Minister Kesavan Nair
- Peter Scott (1995) as John Dominic/ Iqbal Quraishi
- Karma (1995)
- Sagaram Sakshi (1994)
- Pakshe (1994) as Vikraman Contractor
- Kudumba Visesham (1994) as Madhavan Nair
- Chukkan (1994)
- Pingami (1994) as Illipanath Narayanan Kumaran (Kumarettan)
- Pavithram (1994) as Easwara Pillai
- Minnaram (1994) as Mathews
- Vendor Daniel State Licency (1994) as Vendor Daniel
- Kinnaripuzhayoram (1994) as Thirusherry Madhavan Vaidyar
- Varaphalam (1994) as Achan
- Santhanagopalam (1994) as Krishna Kurup
- Ilayum Mullum (1994)
- Gamanam (1994)
- Parinayam (1994)
- Ghazal (1993)
- Sarovaram (1993)
- Sopanam (1993)
- Bandhukkal Sathrukkal (1993) as Damodaran
- Samagamam (1993) as Pallivathukkal Kariyachan
- Kalippattam (1993) as Menon
- Aagneyam (1993)
- Manichitrathazhu (1993) as Brahmadattan Nampoothirippaadu
- Ghoshayaathra (1993) as Moideen Koya Haaji
- O' Faby (1993) as Commissioner Nair
- Chenkol (1993) as Achuthan Nair
- Maya Mayooram (1993) as Thanoor Shankunni Menon
- Udan Pirappu (1993) as Marthandan
- Ammayane Sathyam (1993) as R. Varghese Mathew
- Varam (1993)
- Ente Sreekuttikku (1993) as Balakrishnan Nair
- Daivathinte Vikrithikal (1992) as Kumaran Vaidyar
- My Dear Muthachan (1992) as Parameswaran
- Mahanagaram (1992) as Kelu Writer
- Ezhara Ponnana (1992) as Madhava Menon
- Sadayam (1992) as Dr. K. V. G Nambiar
- Mukhamudra (1992) as Achuthan Pilla / Ananthan Pilla
- Kauravar (1992) as Aliyar (Baba)
- Ayalathe Adheham (1992) as Sivan Pillai
- Sargam (1992) as Thekkemadom Nampoothiri
- Chevalier Michael (1992)
- Grihaprevesam (1992)
- Sandhesam (1991) as Raghavan Nair
- Godfather (1991) as Balaraman
- Venal Kinavukal (1991) as Gopalakrishnan Nair
- Georgekutty C/O Georgekutty (1991) as Itichen
- Kilukkam (1991) as Justice Pillai
- Dhanam (1991) as Thankams father
- Perumthachan (1991) as Raman / Perumthachan
- Mookkilla Rajyathu (1991) as Keshavan
- Kadavu (1991)
- Moondreluthil En Moochirukkum (1991)
- Chatriyan (1990) as 'Annachi' Arumai Nayagam
- Oliyambukal (1990) as John Mathew
- Kuttettan (1990) as Chaco
- Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum (1990) as Karunan
- Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam (1990) as M. R. C.
- Malayogam (1990) as Varkey
- Nanma Niranjavan Sreenivasan (1990)
- Kattukuthira (1990) as Kochuvava
- Mathilukal (1990) as Jail warder
- Ee Kanni Koodi (1990) as Simon
- Champion Thomas (1990) as PC Nair
- Rajavazhcha (1990) as Madhava Panikkar
- Raadha Madhavam (1990) as N S Anandapadmanabhan
- Naaduvazhikal (1989) as Shankaran
- Chakkikotha Chankaran (1989) as Raghavan Thampi
- New Year (1989) as Adv Mathew Philip
- Pooram (1989)
- Varnam (1989) as Major M. K. Nair
- Chanakyan (1989) as Madhava Menon
- Ammavanu Pattiya Amali (1989)
- Kireedam (1989) as Achuthan Nair
- Njangalude Kochu Doctor (1989) as Devan's father
- Mrigaya (1989) as Reverend Father Panangodan
- Ashokante Aswathikuttikku 1989 (1989)
- Season (1989)
- Vachanam (1989) as Police Officer
- Adharvam (1989) as Mekkadan
- Jaathakam (1989) as Appukuttan Nair
- Orkkapurathu (1988) as J J
- Oozham (1988)
- Mukthi (1988) as Kunjunni Nair
- Sangham (1988) as Rappayi
- Witness (1988) as Vikraman Nair
- Kudumbapuranam (1988) as Sankaran Nair
- Moonnam Pakkam (1988) as Thampi
- Pattanapravesham (1988) as Ananthan Nambiar
- Dhwani (1988) as Vettukuzhy
- Kandathum Kettathum (1988)
- Adimakal Udamakal (1987) as Gopalan
- Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam (1987) as Priest
- Kalam Mari Katha Mari (1987)
- Chilambu (1987)
- Nadodikkattu (1987) as Ananthan Nambiar
- Ponnu (1987)
- Amrutham Gamaya (1987) as Kurup
- Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
- Rithubhedam (1987)
- Idanazhiyil Oru Kaloocha (1987)
- And There Was a Village... (1987) as Raman (Manager)
- Vrutham (1987)
- Achuvettante Veedu (1987) as Damodaran Nair
- Kathakku Pinnil (1987)
- Manja Mantharangal (1987) as Mathew Paul
- Jaithra Yaathra (1987)
- Poomukhappadiyil Ninneyum Kaathu (1986)
- Ice Cream (1986) as Omanakuttan
- Aalorungi Arangorungi (1986) as Prabhakara Menon
- Ithile Iniyum Varu (1986) as Kaimal
- Arappatta Kettiya Graamathil (1986) as Vishwambaran
- Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam (1986) as Damodaran
- Geetham (1986) as Kesava Kurup
- Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal (1986) as Chandrasekhara Menon/Neetha's father and Benny's grandfather
- Pappan Priyappetta Pappan (1986) as Yamarajan
- Adiverukal (1986)
- Kunjattakilikal (1986) as Ayyappan Nair
- Panchagni (1986) as Raman
- Rareeram (1986) as Dr. Tharakan
- Ee Kaikalil (1986) as Ummachan
- Abhayam Thedi (1986) as Appooppan
- Mizhineerppoovukal (1986) as Kumara Varma
- Gandhinagar 2nd Street (1986) as Sridharan Menon
- Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal (1986) as Paul Pailokkaaran
- Ennennum Kannettante (1986) as Parameswara Kuruppu
- Nakhakshathangal (1986) as Uncle
- Ennu Nathante Nimmi (1986) as Chidambaram
- Vasantha Sena (1985) as Unnithan
- Kanathaya Penkutty (1985) as Matthai
- Koodum Thedi (1985) as Priest
- Anubandham (1985) as Menon
- Thammil Thammil (1985) as Menon
- Upaharam (1985) as Divakaran
- Akalathe Ambili (1985)
- Onningu Vannengil (1985) as Pankajakshan Menon
- Katha Ithuvare (1985)
- Ee Thanalil Ithiri Neram (1985)
- Eeran Sandhya (1985)
- Ee Lokam Ivide Kure Manushyar (1985) as Krishna Pillai
- Ente Kanakkuyil (1985) as Kuttan Nair
- Irakal (1985) as Mathews
- Akkacheyude Kunjuvava (1985)
- Aram + Aram = Kinnaram (1985) as M.N.Nambiar
- Vannu Kandu Keezhadakki (1985)
- Oru Kudakeezhil (1985)
- Iniyum Kadha Thudarum (1985) as Alexander
- Yathra (1985) as Jailor
- Ayanam (1985) as Priest
- Puli Varunne Puli (1985) as 'Kuttithanam' Kurup
- Oduvil Kittiya Vartha (1985)
- Uyarangalil (1984) as Kurup
- Onnanu Nammal (1984) as Sethu's father
- Thirakil Alppam Samayam (1984) as Sankaran Nair
- Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu (1984) as Alexander
- Aduthaduthu (1984) as Thankappan Pillai
- Koottinilamkili (1984) as Devasya
- Oru Kochukatha Aarum Parayatha Katha (1984) as Mammukka
- Panchavadi Palam (1984) as Ishak Tharakan
- Adaminte Vaariyellu (1984) as Purushothaman Nair
- Mangalam Nerunnu (1984)
- Enganeyundashaane (1984) as Viswanathan Nair
- Aattuvanchi Ulanjappol (1984)
- Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla (1983) as Home Minister
- Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback (1983) as V S Korattoor
- Sesham Kazhchayil (1983) as Lathika's Father
- Ente Mamattukkuttiyammakku (1983) as Fr. Joseph Sebastian
- Bones (1983) as Worker
- Prasnam Gurutharam (1983)
- Oru Swakaryam (1983)
- Yavanika (1982) as Vakkachan
- Kolangal (1981) as Varkey
- Ulkadal (1979) as Rahulan's Father
- Gandharavakshetram (1972) as Guest at Satheeshan's house
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Thilakan best known for?
Thilakan is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Pandya Store (2021), 沿海行 (2011), Hailesa (2009), Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go!! (1996).
When and where was Thilakan born?
Thilakan was born on July 15, 1935 in Ayroor, Kerala, India. They passed away on September 24, 2012.
How many credits does Thilakan have?
Thilakan has accumulated over 285 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1972 to 2013.
What is Thilakan's background in cinema and television?
Surendranatha Thilakan, known mononymously as Thilakan, was an Indian film and stage actor born on July 15, 1935, in Ayroor, Kerala, India, and passed away on September 24, 2012, at the age of 77. His career spanned over four decades from 1972 to 2012, during which he starred in over 200 Malayalam films, with 287 known...
Thilakan by the numbers
285credits
285films
0TV series
1972–2013active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Onningu Vannengil (1985) as Pankajakshan Menon — aged about 49
- Yavanika (1982) as Vakkachan — aged about 46
- Chatriyan (1990) as 'Annachi' Arumai Nayagam — aged about 54
- Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu (1984) as Alexander — aged about 48
- Sandhesam (1991) as Raghavan Nair — aged about 55
- Manjadikuru (2008) as Appukuttan Nair — aged about 72
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