Having acted in more than 500 films over 40 years, actor Nedumudi Venu is considered a veteran star in the Malayalam film industry. To honour the 69-year-old “gentleman” actor, a cultural night will be hosted in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on November 26.
Leading film producer Suresh Kumar told media on Monday that apart from a public meeting to honour Venu, there will be a special cultural and musical programme based on some of the characters Venu has played.
The programme will be organised by the Trivandrum Film Fraternity along with the Kerala government and the Vayalar Ramavarma Cultural organisation.
“One of the biggest reasons for his success and his 500 films is because he came from a theatre background and has excelled in each and every role that he has played,” said Kumar.
Venu, who hails from water-locked Nedumudi in Alappuzha, came to the state capital more than four decades ago and started his career as a journalist.
It was his association with popular playwright, theatre director, poet and lyricist Kavalam Narayana Panicker that helped make his entry into Malayalam films easy.
His debut film was Thampu (1978), directed by G. Aravindan.
Among his hugely popular roles are ones in films such as Thakara, Chamaram, Kallan Pavithran, Vida Parayum Munpe and Panchavadi Palam, and has been a crucial asset in many films directed by Priyadarshan.
A multi-faceted personality, Venu is a good mridangam (Indian percussion instrument) player, and besides scripting films, he has also directed them.
