Showing all artists born at Kollam

Kalpana Priyadarshini (13 October 1965 – 25 January 2016), known mononymously as Kalpana, was an Indian film actress best known for her work in South Indian films, primarily Malayalam and Tamil films. Kalpana has acted in over 300 films in various South Indian languages.

Kalpana started off her career as a child artist in the late-1970s. Although she came into the industry with the intention of being a lead actress, she turned out to be popular for her comic roles among the audiences. At the 60th National Film Awards, she won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Thanichalla Njan (2012).

Career

Kalpana began her career as a child artist in the film Vidarunna Mottukal.  After making her debut as a mainstream actor in the 1980 film Pokkuveyil directed by G. Aravindan, she went on to star in several critically acclaimed films and her portrayals as a comedian were appreciated by critics. Her Tamil debut was through the 1985 released successful film Chinna Veedu opposite K. Bhagyaraj. Her other memorable films include Sathi Leelavathi (1995) and Kaliveedu (1996).  She performed in a music album with Usha Uthup.  She has published her memoirs, Njan Kalpana.  Kalpana had sung a song in the movie Kudumbakodathi along with K.S. Chithra in which she appeared as a Telugu speaking character.She was an inevitable presence in stage shows.

Personal life

Kalpana was born to theater artists Chavara V.P.Nair and Vijayalakshmi.  Actresses Kalaranjini and Urvashi are her sisters. She married Malayalam film director Anil Kumar in 1998 and got divorced in 2012. They have one daughter, Sreemayi Anil.

Death

Kalpana went to Hyderabad for the shooting of Oopiri movie. On 25 January 2016, she was found unconscious in her hotel room by a roomboy who knocked the door around several times but didn't open.He forcefully opened the door and found her unconscious. She was immediately taken to the hospital by the crew members but died on the way. Doctors confirmed that she died of heart attack . Postmortem was conducted and her body was flown to her native place on 26th of January 2016. The funeral took place on the same day.

Suresh Gopinathan Nair (born 26 June 1959) often credited as Suresh Gopi is a national award winning Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema, he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles. He is also famous for his philanthropic efforts.He was born in Kollam into a Hindu family to Gnanalekshmi and Gopinathan Pillai.He graduated with a BSc in Zoology and M.A in English literature from Fatima Mata National College in Kollam.He is married to Radhika, the granddaughter of late actress Aranmula Ponnamma, and has five children: Lekshmi (deceased in a traffic accident at the age of two in 1992), Gokul, Bhagya, Bhaavni, and Madhav.

Murali (Malayalam:25 May 1954 – 6 August 2009) was an Indian film, stage, and television actor and author. He mainly appeared in Malayalam and Tamil films. He won the National Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a communist freedom fighter and professional weaver in the film Neythukaran (2002). Regarded by film critics as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema, he was known for his powerful portrayal of character roles, lead roles, and negative roles. His last film was Aadhavan.

Murali started his film career playing villain roles and soon turned into a character actor. The 1992 film Aadhaaram, in which he played the lead role, gave a 'break' to his career.The film was well received in the box office and Murali ascended to the status of a star in Malayalam film, which he enjoyed for a couple of years. Besides acting, he was the chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy from 2006 until his death. He also authored five books, and was also a Sangeetha Nataka Academy award winner. He contested the 1999 Lok Sabha polls as a communist candidate without success. He was also the Director of the CPI(M) promoted television company Malayalam Communications, which runs Malayalam TV channels Kairali TV, People TV and WE TV.

Murali was born on 25 May 1954 as the first of five children to P. Krishna Pillai and K. Devaki Amma at Kudavattoor, Kollam, Kerala, India.

He has four siblings, Harikumar, Ravikumar, Sudha and Raji. He did his schooling from Kudavattoor L. P. School and Thrikannamangalam S. K. V. High School. He passed the pre-degree from M.G. College, Thiruvananthapuram and his Degree from Devaswom Board College, Sasthamkotta. He was an active member of the Students Federation of India. He took an Ll. B degree from the Thiruvananthapuram Law Academy. After studies, he worked for some years as Lower Division Clerk in the Department of Health, Government of Kerala and as Upper Division Clerk in the office of Kerala University. He was married to Mini and has a daughter Karthika.

Murali debuted in films with the lead role in Njattadi, directed by Bharath Gopi. But the film was never released. He then got chance to act in Chidambaram, directed by the National Award-winning filmmaker Aravindan. He then acted in Meenamasathile Sooryan and Panchagni, directed by Lenin Rajendran and Hariharan, respectively. Panchagni got released first and it gave him the break in his acting career. He soon established himself as a powerful actor in the Malayalam film industry. Aadhaaram, directed by George Kittu, was the first film to be released with Murali in a lead role. He acted in a variety of roles, ranging from lead roles to villain roles, and won accolades. Some of his other notable films include Nee Ethra Dhanya, Dhanam, The King, Pathram, Chakoram, Veeralippattu, Achan Kombathu Amma Varambathu, Meenamasathile Sooryan, Swarnam, Kaarunyam and The Truth.

Murali acted in the longest TV commercial ever on Indian TV, spanning 150 seconds. This was for Air Deccan in 2005.

Murali was actively involved with Natyagriham, a drama venture started by actor Narendra Prasad. Murali won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Ravana in the Malayalam play Lanka Lakshmi, which was based on C. N. Sreekantan Nair's novel of the same name.

He was also associated with G. Sankara Pillai in doing theatre plays.

Murali authored five books. His book on Kumaranasan, Abhinethavum Asante Kavithayum (Actor and Asan's Poetry) won him the Sangeetha Nataka Academy award. One of his other critically acclaimed books was Abhinyathinte Rasathanthram (Chemistry of Acting).

Murali contested the 1999 Lok Sabha polls from the Alappuzha constituency as a Left Democratic Front candidate, but lost to V. M. Sudheeran of Indian National Congress.

Murali died in Thiruvananthapuram on 6 August 2009 at the age of 55, due to acute diabetes which led to a heart attack at 8.20 PM IST. He was cremated with full state honours at his home in Aruvikkara, which he had bought some years prior to his death.

Kollam Kanjaveli Kuttilazhikathu Thulasidharan Nair is an actor in Malayalam cinema who is better known as Kollam Thulasi relating the name of his birthplace Kollam to his first name as customary in some parts of Kerala.  His first appearance was in Ezhuthappurangal (1987). He is well known for his unique acting style. He appeared in many television serials. He is also a poet.

He was born in 1945 to Kollam Kanjaveli Kuttilazhikathu P S Nair and Bharathi Amma. After completing a master's degree in History, he pursued Diploma in journalism. In 1970 he entered Kerala Govt. Service at Kozhikode corporation. he retired from Municipal Service from Thiruvananthapuram corporation. He currently resides in Valiyashala. Wife: Vijaya Nair who is an officer at Railway divisional office, Daughter: Gayathri.