Thiruvananthapuram: Film actor GK Pillai has passed away. He was 97 years old. He is one of the oldest living actors in Malayalam cinema today.
He was born to Govinda Pillai and Janaki in Perumbattam, Mantharaveettil near Varkala parish in Thiruvananthapuram district. Educated at Sree Chithiravilasam School, Chirayinkeezhu. During this period, Prem Nazeer, Bharat Gopi and Shobhana Parameswaran Nair studied with him in various classes at this school.
97 GK Pillai’s acting career spanned 67 years. GK Pillai has acted as a villain most of the movies starring his playmate Prem Nazeer. Prem Nazeer is the inspiration for the film. He entered the film industry after giving up his military career. At the age of 14, he joined the freedom fighters. Fleeing nowhere due to his father’s opposition. Went to the British Army. GK was among those tasked with removing post-independence communal riots and suppressing the insurgents. He is an artist with a history of winning awards like ‘Padma Shri’.
After retiring from the army, he was finally subjected to much negotiation and investigation in and around Kodambakkam.
In 1954, he got the opportunity to play the role of Poopally Thomas in the film ‘Snehaseema’. He later acted in Harishchandra, Mantravadi, Snoopaka Yohanan, Pattabhishekam, Nair’s Puliwal and Koodappirappu. GK, the main villain in Kannur Deluxe, candidate Saramma, lottery ticket, Kottayam murder case and Cochin Express. He was a child. G.K. The child’s tall physique and vocal prowess gave the villain roles more character. Prem Nazeer then became a regular villain in films. She shined in roles in northern films. She has acted in over 350 films. In addition to his villainous roles, he also excelled as a character actor.
He was active in films till the late eighties. GK Pillai has acted in very few films since then. In 1972, GK Pillai worked as an assistant director and assistant editor on Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Swayam Varam. GK Pillai started acting in television serials in 2005. His first serial was Kadamattam Kathanar. GK Pillai then acted in various serials on various channels. GK Pillai’s role in the series ‘Saffron’ aired on Asianet during 2011-14 made him a household name among family audiences.
GK Pillai’s wife Uthpalakshiamma died years ago. They have six children. Children Prathap Chandran, Sreekala R Nair, Sreelekha Mohan, Sreekumari B Pillai, Chandramohan and Priyadarshan.
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