Nedumudi Venu

Kesavan Venugopal (22 May 1948 – 11 October 2021), better known by his stage name Nedumudi Venu, was an Indian actor and screenwriter from Kerala, who predominantly worked in Malayalam cinema. He acted in more than 500 films, primarily in Malayalam and also in Tamil in a career spanning nearly five decades. He wrote screenplays and directed one film. Nedumudi Venu won three National Film Awards, three Filmfare Award South and six Kerala State Film Awards for his various performances in various Movies.

Early life
Venu was born as Venugopal to P. K. Kesava Pillai, a school master and P. Kunjikkuttiyamma. He had his primary education from NSS Higher Secondary School, Nedumudi, and St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, Champakulam.

Venu was married to T. R. Susheela. The couple had two sons: Unni and Kannan.

Death
Venu died at KIMS Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on 11 October 2021, at the age of 73. He was receiving treatment for liver cancer prior to his death and died from post COVID-19 complications. He also had diabetes, which complicated his condition. He was cremated with full state honours at Santhikavadam Crematorium in Thiruvananthapuram on 12 October 2021.

National Film Awards

 * 1990 – Best Supporting Actor – His Highness Abdullah
 * 2003 – Special Mention – Margam
 * 2006 – National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Narration / Voice Over – Minukku

Kerala State Film Awards

 * 1980 – Second Best Actor – Chamaram
 * 1981 – Best Actor – Vida Parayum Munpe
 * 1986 - Second Best Actor - Thalavattam
 * 1987 – Best Actor – Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
 * 1990 – Special Jury Award – Bharatham, Santhwanam
 * 1994 – Second Best Actor – Thenmavin Kombath
 * 2003 – Best Actor – Margam

Kerala State Television Awards

 * 2001 - Best Actor : Avasthatarangal

Asianet Film Awards

 * 2005 – Best Supporting Actor Award – Thanmatra
 * 2007 – Best Script Writer Award – Thaniye
 * 2011 – Best Supporting Actor – Best Actor, Elsamma Enna Aankutty
 * 2013 – Best Character Actor – North 24 Kaatham
 * 2015 – Best Villain – Oru Second Class Yathra, Rudra Simhasanam
 * 2017 – Asianet Film Award for Lifetime Achievement

Vanitha Film Awards
2015 – Best Actor In A Negative Role – Oru Second Class Yatra

Filmfare Awards

 * 1981 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam – Vida Parayum Munpe
 * 1987 – Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam -Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam
 * 1997 – Lifetime Achievement Award

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards

 * 2007 – Second Best Actor – Thaniye 
 * 2007 – Lifetime Achievement Award/Prathibha Puraskaram

Other awards

 * 2003 – Best Actor Award won in Television Gallup Poll conducted by University of Kerala union for Ragardram (Doordarshan)
 * 2006 – Sathyan Award
 * 2006 – Kalavedi International Prathibha Award was presented at Tagore Theatre, Trivandrum in 2006.
 * 2007 – Bahadoor Award
 * 2008 – Kala Ratnam Award of KALA Abu Dhabi
 * 2011 – Serve India Media Award
 * 2015 – Vanitha Film Award for Best Villain for Oru Second Class Yathra and Rudra Simhasanam
 * 2007 – Saira – Best Actor award at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival