M. G. Soman

M. G. Soman (28 October 1941 – 12 December 1997) was an Indian actor and former Indian Air Force officer who appeared in Malayalam films. He was one among the leading star actors doing hero roles in Malayalam Cinema during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He has also done roles in Tamil films Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, Naalai Namadhe, Kumara Vijayam and Airport. However, in the late 1980s and 1990s, he switched to character and villainous roles.

Early life
He was born as Somashekharan Nair to Konni Kudukkillethu Veettil Govinda Panicker and P. K. Bhavani Amma, in Thiruvalla, Travancore, on 28 September 1941. He had his primary education from Balikamadom H. S. S., Thiruvalla, St Thomas HSS Thirumoolapuram. While studying at seventh grade he started a drama troupe with his friend and performed drama Manaltharikal Garjikkunnu. He did his pre-university degree at St. Berchmans College, Changanassery. He was also part of the Indian Air Force.

Film career
Soman joined Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair's drama troupe Jayasree and then moved to the film industry. He worked at Kerala Arts Theaters and KPAC. Ramarajyam of Kerala Arts Theaters opened him a way to the movie industry. His first film was Gayatri directed by P. N. Menon in 1973. He acted in the role of a hero from 1976 to 1983 and later played the roles of villains, comedians and supporting roles. In 1977, his best known film was released under the direction of I. V. Sasi – Itha Ivide Vare. He soon rose to become the busiest actor in the industry. In 1978, Soman had acted in 44 films, which was till today kept as a record. After 1984, he had shifted from heroic roles to character roles, notably in films like Poochakkoru Mookkuthi. In 1997, Lelam, directed by Joshiy, was his last film and his performance as Aanakkattil Eappachan was greatly appreciated and received critical acclaim. He died on 12 December 1997 due to jaundice. He was 56. He produced a Malayalam movie titled as Bhoomika in 1991 which was directed by I.V.Sasi, starring Jayaram, Suresh Gopi, Mukesh and Urvashi in lead roles.

Personal life
Soman was married to Sujatha. They have a son Saji Soman and a daughter Sindhu. His son Saji also acted in a few movies. Saji is married to Bindu and has a son Shekhar and a daughter Shivanghe. Sindhu Soman is married to Girish and has two daughters, Lekshmi Girish and Gayatri Girish.

Awards
Kerala State Film Awards:


 * Best Actor (1976) – Thanal, Pallavi
 * Second Best Actor (1975) – Swapnadanam, Chuvanna Sandhyakal

TV

 * Kuthirakal (Doordarshan)
 * Sahanam (Doordarshan)