K. Surendranatha Thilakan

Born: 15 July 1935

Died: 24 September 2012

• He was a veteran Indian film and stage actor who appeared in over 200 Malayalam films.
• Known for his realistic and spontaneous appearances, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of Indian Cinema.
• He has won 3 National Film Awards and 9 Kerala State Film Awards.
• The Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 2009 for his contributions towards the arts.
• He died on 24 September 2012 at the age of 77.
• He holds the record of receiving the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor the highest number of times (6 times), till date.
• He Thilakan began his career in cinema with a role in the P. J. Antony-directed Malayalam movie Periyar (1973).
• He then worked in Gandharvakshetram and Ulkadal (1979).
• His first role as a lead character was as Kallu Varkey, a drunkard in Kolangal (1981).
• He was awarded his first Kerala State Film Awards in 1982 for his role in Yavanika.

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