# T. P. Madhavan

T. P. Madhavan (7 November 1935 – 9 October 2024) was an Indian actor who worked in Malayalam films. He began acting at age 40 and appeared in over 600 films. Initially known for playing antagonistic roles, he transitioned to comedic roles and to character roles in his later career.

## Early life

Madhavan was born on 7 November 1935 in Trivandrum, Kerala, Kingdom of Travancore, British India, as the eldest son of Dr. N. P. Pillai and Saraswathi. He had a brother, Narayanan, and a sister, Radhamani. His father served as the dean of the University of Kerala. Madhavan was the grandson of literary scholar P. K. Narayana Pillai and nephew of dramatist T. N. Gopinathan Nair. He completed his post-graduation in sociology at Agra University.
Madhavan briefly joined the Indian Army but left after six months due to a hand injury. He then began working as a journalist for The Indian Express in Bombay, earning a salary of Rs.175 per month. He later moved to Bangalore, where he joined an advertising agency with a higher salary of Rs.400. Eventually, he relocated to Kolkata, which paved the way for his entry into the film industry.

## Career

Madhavan made his acting debut at age 40. Initially recognized for playing villainous roles, he later transitioned to comedic parts and eventually to character roles. He was introduced to cinema while working in Kolkata, where he became friends with actor-director Madhu. At the time, Madhu was searching for an actress for his upcoming Malayalam directorial Priya (1970), and Madhavan assisted him in finding one. He later helped Madhu again during the shooting of Kaamam Krodham Moham (1975) and Akkaldaama (1975) in Bangalore. Madhavan made his film debut with small roles in these films. From then on, he began appearing in brief roles in Malayalam films. His first significant role came in Kalika (1980), directed by Balachandra Menon, where he portrayed a handicapped man.
The 1980s and 1990s marked Madhavan's most prolific period in Malayalam cinema. His other notable films include Kalikkalam, Nadodikkattu, Vietnam Colony, Sandesham, Lelam, Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu, Narasimham, Pappayude Swantham Appoos, Pulival Kalyanam, Ananthabhadram. He has also acted in Malayalam television serials. Over the course of his career, he has acted in more than 600 films. He last appeared in the film Pretham Undu Sookshikkuka (2017).

## Personal life

He was married to Girija Menon, but their marriage ended in divorce. They have a son, Raja Krishna Menon and a daughter, Devika. His son is a film director in the Hindi film industry. Madhavan served as the first general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AmmA) and was part of the organization for 10 years.
He was residing in Ernakulam before relocating to Thiruvananthapuram, where he developed a urinary disease. Afterward, he went to an ashram in Haridwar but was hospitalized following a collapse. Since 2015, Madhavan was residing in Gandhibhavan, an old age home in Pathanapuram, following a stroke. In his later years, he suffered from memory loss. He died at a hospital in Kollam on 9 October 2024, at the age of 88.

## Filmography
### Films

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1975 | Akkaldaama | |
| 1975 | Raagam | Priest |
| 1975 | Kaamam Krodham Moham | |
| 1975 | Pennpada | DSP |
| 1975 | Love Letter | |
| 1975 | Love Marriage | Police officer |
| 1975 | Chandanachola | |
| 1975 | Chief Guest | |
| 1976 | Light House | Bhaskaran Nair |
| 1976 | Yakshagaanam | |
| 1976 | Chirikkudukka | Gopalan Nair |
| 1976 | Mohiniyaattam | Nalini's husband |
| 1977 | Dheerasameere Yamuna Theere | Dr. Kuttikrishnan |
| 1977 | Achaaram Ammini Osharam Omana | Pankajakshan |
| 1977 | Jagadguru Aadisankaran | Govinda Guru |
| 1977 | Niraparayum Nilavilakkum | |
| 1977 | Anugraham | Collector T. P. Madhavan |
| 1977 | Samudram | Police Inspector |
| 1977 | Aparadhi | Police Officer Kumaran |
| 1977 | Satyavan Savithri | |
| 1977 | Aval Oru Devaalayam | |
| 1978 | Nivedyam | Advocate |
| 1978 | Anubhoothikalude Nimisham | |
| 1978 | Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil | |
| 1978 | Kalpavriksham | Rani's father |
| 1978 | Iniyum Puzhayozhukum | Doctor |
| 1978 | Aanakkalari | |
| 1978 | Sthree Oru Dukham | |
| 1979 | Kalliyankattu Neeli | Hippie |
| 1979 | Agni Vyooham | |
| 1979 | Enikku Njaan Swantham | Madhavankutty |
| 1979 | Oru Raagam Pala Thaalam | |
| 1979 | Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum | Abdulla |
| 1979 | Avalude Prathikaram | |
| 1979 | Aavesham | |
| 1980 | Vaiki Vanna Vasantham | |
| 1980 | Sakthi | Michael |
| 1980 | Arangum Aniyarayum | Robert |
| 1980 | Ashwaradham | James |
| 1980 | Deepam | Geetha's father |
| 1980 | Aniyaatha Valakal | Panikkar |
| 1981 | Thaaraavu | Kunjappi |
| 1981 | Archana Teacher | |
| 1981 | Kolilakkam | |
| 1981 | Panchapaandavar | |
| 1981 | Manassinte Theerthayathra | Thomas Mathew |
| 1983 | Aana | Mathachan |
| 1983 | Prasnam Gurutharam | |
| 1983 | Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback | |
| 1983 | Shesham Kaazhchayil | |
| 1984 | Uyarangalil | Dr. Varghese |
| 1984 | Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla | Sankunny Menon |
| 1985 | Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki | |
| 1985 | Eeran Sandhya | Avarachan |
| 1985 | Akalathe Ambili | Menon |
| 1985 | Guruji Oru Vaaku | |
| 1985 | Orikkal Oridathu | |
| 1985 | Gayathridevi Ente Amma | |
| 1985 | Manicheppu Thurannappol | |
| 1986 | Koodanayum Kattu | |
| 1986 | Vivahithare Ithile | |
| 1986 | Icecream | |
| 1986 | Geetham | |
| 1986 | Sunil Vayassu 20 | Sunil's father |
| 1986 | Rareeram | Man at the Bank |
| 1987 | Kaalam Maari Kadha Maari | Mammali |
| 1987 | Vrutham | Prasad |
| 1987 | Sruthi | Pillai |
| 1987 | Nadodikkattu | MD Mohanakrishnan |
| 1987 | Irupathaam Noottaandu | |
| 1987 | Nirabhedangal | |
| 1987 | Theertham | Sudhakaran |
| 1987 | Sarvakalashala | Psychiatrist |
| 1987 | Jaalakam | Kurup Mash |
| 1987 | Achuvettante Veedu | Rugmini's brother |
| 1987 | Adimakal Udamakal | Minister |
| 1988 | Moonnam Mura | Panikkar |
| 1988 | Oru CBI Diary Kurippu | Sreedharan |
| 1988 | Mrithyunjayam | |
| 1989 | Innale | Swamy |
| 1990 | Marupuram | Krishnanunni Menon |
| 1990 | Vyooham | Settu |
| 1990 | Vachanam | |
| 1990 | Perumthachan | |
| 1990 | Thalayana Manthram | Company Manager |
| 1990 | Randam Varavu | Public Prosecutor |
| 1990 | Mukham | Usha's father |
| 1990 | Kalikkalam | Thomas |
| 1991 | Kizhakkunarum Pakshi | Pilla |
| 1991 | Sandesam | C.I. Kannan |
| 1991 | Ulladakkam | Doctor |
| 1991 | Nettippattom | |
| 1991 | Kilukkam | |
| 1991 | Aavanikunnile Kinnaripookkal | Lonappan |
| 1991 | Cheppu Kilukkunna Changathi | Bank Manager |
| 1991 | Chanchattam | G. Raveendranath |
| 1991 | Apoorvam Chilar | Chandran |
| 1991 | Adayalam | M.K. Keshavan |
| 1991 | Kanalkattu | |
| 1992 | Thiruthalvaadi | |
| 1992 | Vietnam Colony | Krishnamurthy's Ammavan |
| 1992 | Mahanagaram | Hassan Rowther |
| 1992 | Aham | |
| 1992 | Sooryamanasam | |
| 1992 | Kudumbasammetham | |
| 1992 | Pappayude Swantham Appoos | |
| 1993 | Bhoomi Geetham | Driver Shivaraman |
| 1993 | Maya Mayooram | Raghupathi |
| 1993 | Bhaagyavaan | Security Guard |
| 1993 | Journalist | Minister |
| 1993 | Avan Ananthapadmanabhan | |
| 1993 | Aalavattam | |
| 1993 | Thalamura | |
| 1993 | Jackpot | |
| 1993 | Vakkeel Vasudev | Mathai |
| 1993 | Sakshal Sreeman Chattunni | Kaimal |
| 1994 | Rudraksham | Appunni Nair |
| 1994 | Chukkan | Tehsildar |
| 1994 | Varanamaalyam | Govindan Nair |
| 1994 | Sukham Sukhakaram | |
| 1994 | Manathe Kottaram | Security Guard |
| 1994 | Pingami | News Paper Editor |
| 1994 | Pavam I. A. Ivachan | Koyikkal Balan Thampy |
| 1994 | Manathe Vellitheru | Underworld Don |
| 1994 | Minnaram | Doctor Peter |
| 1994 | Avan Ananthapadmanabhan | |
| 1995 | Vrudhanmare Sookshikkuka | Thirumala Thommichan |
| 1995 | Thacholi Varghese Chekavar | |
| 1995 | Sakshyam | Amavan |
| 1995 | Kaattile Thadi Thevarude Ana | Madhavan |
| 1995 | Aksharam | Madhava Menon |
| 1995 | Punnaram | Eradi |
| 1995 | Agnidevan | Kochammini's brother |
| 1995 | Mazhayethum Munpe | Narayanan Nair |
| 1995 | Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary | Pothuval |
| 1996 | Madamma | Electricity Board Engineer |
| 1997 | Superman | Home Minister |
| 1997 | Lelam | Minister C. K. Balakrishnan |
| 1997 | Katha Nayakan | Krishna Menon |
| 1997 | Janathipathyam | IG Kaimal IPS |
| 1997 | Aaraam Thampuran | Pisharody |
| 1997 | Mannadiar Penninnu Chenkotta Checkan | Vakeel |
| 1997 | Chandralekha | |
| 1998 | Kaikudunna Nilavu | Janardhanan |
| 1998 | Oro Viliyum Kathorthu | Judge |
| 1998 | Sooryaputhran | Vilwamangalam Thirumeni |
| 1998 | Sundarakilladi | |
| 1998 | Kottaram Veetile Apputtan | |
| 1998 | Ayushman Bhava | |
| 1998 | Mayilpeelikkavu | Thantrippadu |
| 1998 | Kusruthi Kuruppu | Narendran's Secretary |
| 1998 | Daya | Hussain |
| 1998 | Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu | Police Sub Inspector |
| 1999 | The Godman | |
| 1999 | English Medium | Headmaster |
| 1999 | Pathram | Harivamsilal Pannalal |
| 1999 | Panchapandavar | Kumaran Asan |
| 1999 | Pallavur Devanarayanan | |
| 1999 | Friends | Poonkulathu Damodara Menon |
| 1999 | Ezhupunna Tharakan | Justice Mahadevan |
| 1999 | Stalin Sivadas | Leader Harindran |
| 2000 | The Warrant | Annie's father |
| 2000 | Pilots | Fr. Stephen Abraham |
| 2000 | Nadan Pennum Natupramaniyum | Madhavan |
| 2000 | Narasimham | Raman Nair |
| 2000 | Sathyam Sivam Sundaram | Hotelier |
| 2000 | Madhuranombarakattu | |
| 2000 | Cover Story | Retd. Head Constable Chandran Nair |
| 2000 | Arayannangalude Veedu | Neena's father |
| 2000 | Thenkasipattanam | Sangeetha's Uncle |
| 2001 | Kakkakuyil | D.Y.S.P Madhava Varma |
| 2001 | Raavanaprabhu | Nambyar |
| 2001 | Layam | |
| 2001 | Rakshasa Rajavu | Ponnachan's brother |
| 2001 | Nariman | DGP Akhilesh Avasthi |
| 2001 | Achaneyanenikkishtam | Nambeeshan |
| 2001 | One Man Show | Dr. Chandradas |
| 2002 | Nammal | Principal |
| 2002 | Thandavam | Warrier |
| 2002 | Shivam | Yasodharan |
| 2002 | Jagathy Jagadeesh in Town | Amar Baba Settu |
| 2002 | Desam | |
| 2002 | Yathrakarude Sradhakku | K.K. Karthikeyan |
| 2002 | Kalyanaraman | Ambattu Thampi's relative |
| 2003 | Choonda | Gopalan |
| 2003 | Gramaphone | Mathachayan |
| 2003 | Melvilasam Sariyanu | Dr. Ananda Shankar |
| 2003 | Hariharan Pilla Happy Aanu | Rosario |
| 2003 | Pulival Kalyanam | Ramesh's father |
| 2003 | Manassinakkare | Adv. Charles |
| 2003 | Parinamam | |
| 2004 | Ennittum | |
| 2004 | Udayam | |
| 2004 | Vismayathumbathu | Hospital Patient |
| 2004 | Chathikkatha Chanthu | Sathyan |
| 2004 | Wanted | Politician |
| 2004 | Natturajavu | Secretary |
| 2004 | Black | |
| 2004 | Vesham | Judge |
| 2005 | Anandabhadram | Ramunni Nair |
| 2005 | Udayananu Tharam | Bhaskarettan |
| 2005 | Kochi Rajavu | College Principal |
| 2005 | Ben Johnson | Minister |
| 2005 | Thaskara Veeran | Ramkumar |
| 2005 | Pauran | Narayanan |
| 2005 | Pandippada | Bhuvanachandran's father |
| 2005 | Bharathchandran I.P.S. | Minister Vakkalam Moosa |
| 2005 | Boyy Friennd | Leader K.R |
| 2005 | Rajamanikyam | College Principal |
| 2006 | Rashtram | Damodharan Pilla |
| 2006 | Lion | Minister Kizhuppally |
| 2006 | The Don | |
| 2006 | Lanka | |
| 2006 | Balram vs. Tharadas | |
| 2006 | Prajapathi | Appa Swami |
| 2006 | Vaasthavam | Govindan Namboodiri |
| 2006 | Arunam | |
| 2006 | Smart City | |
| 2006 | Enittum | |
| 2006 | Moonnamathoral | |
| 2006 | Baba Kalyani | Prabhakaran |
| 2007 | Romeo | Venkidi |
| 2007 | Panthaya Kozhi | Settu |
| 2007 | Inspector Garud | Minister Sathyanathan |
| 2007 | Detective | Raghavan |
| 2007 | Mayavi | Home Minister |
| 2007 | Ayur Rekha | Dr. Thomas George |
| 2007 | Athisayan | |
| 2007 | Time | DGP Raman Naik IPS |
| 2007 | Aakasham | Subramaniyam Potti |
| 2007 | Kangaroo | Paul K. Mani |
| 2008 | Roudram | ASI Ayyappan Nair |
| 2008 | College Kumaran | Vasudevan Muthalali |
| 2008 | Malabar Wedding | Thampi |
| 2008 | Thirakkatha | Dr Sreenivasan |
| 2008 | Twenty:20 | Minister's PA Francis |
| 2009 | Red Chillies | Iyengar |
| 2009 | Swantham Lekhakan | Chief Minister George Isaac |
| 2009 | Evidam Swargamanu | Minister Stephen Edakochi |
| 2009 | Robin Hood | Minister Manjooran |
| 2009 | Kappal Muthalaali | |
| 2009 | Colours | Man at the party |
| 2009 | Passenger | Thankappan |
| 2009 | Thirunakkara Perumal | Thankappan |
| 2010 | Alexander The Great | |
| 2010 | Marykkundoru Kunjaadu | Dr. Pisharody |
| 2010 | Oru Naal Varum | |
| 2010 | Drona 2010 | Pisharody |
| 2010 | Happy Husbands | Retd. DGP Alexander Mathews IPS |
| 2010 | Chekavar | Madhavan |
| 2011 | Karayilekku Oru Kadal Dooram | Kunjettan |
| 2011 | Collector | Sankaran Nampoothiri |
| 2011 | Sarkar Colony | |
| 2011 | Indian Rupee | Swami |
| 2012 | The King & the Commissioner | Dr. K.R. Mahadevan |
| 2012 | Simhasanam | Issac |
| 2012 | Ayalum Njanum Thammil | |
| 2012 | Mullassery Madhavan Kutty Nemom P. O. | Pisharody |
| 2012 | Ordinary | Bhargavan |
| 2012 | Cinema Company | Military Uncle |
| 2012 | Spirit | |
| 2013 | Pigman | Union Head |
| 2015 | Tharangale Saakshi | |
| 2016 | Maalgudi Days | Principal |
| 2017 | Pretham Undu Sookshikkuka | |

### Television

* Daya (Asianet)
* Kabani (Zee Keralam)
* Chechiyamma (Surya TV)
* Aluvayum Mathikariyum (Asianet Plus)
* Moonnumani (Flowers TV)
* Pattu Saree (Mazhavil Manorama)
* Aa Amma (Kairali TV)
* Vigraham (Asianet)
* Sthree Oru Santhwanam (Asianet)
* Ente Manasaputhri (Asianet)
* Mahathma Gandhi Colony (Surya TV)
* Manthrakodi (Asianet)
* Priyamanasi (Surya TV)
* Vishudha Thomasleeha (Asianet)
* Swami Ayyapan (Asianet)
* Kadamattathu Kathanar (Asianet)
* Valayam (DD Malayalam)

## Awards

Madhavan has received Prem Nazir Award and Ramu Karyat Award for lifetime achievement.