# Murali (Malayalam actor)

Muraleedharan Pillai, popularly known as Murali (25 May 1954 – 6 August 2009) was an Indian film, stage and television actor and author. He mainly appeared in Malayalam films and a few Tamil films. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Appa Mestry, a communist freedom fighter and professional weaver in the 2002 film Neythukaran. He was known for his powerful portrayal of character roles, lead roles and negative roles, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in Malayalam cinema.
Murali started his film career playing villain roles and soon turned to character acting. He played the leading role in the 1992 film Aadhaaram, which gave a "break" to his career. The film was well received at the box office and Murali ascended to the status of a star in Malayalam cinema, which he enjoyed for a few years during the 1990s. 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 at 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 Limited, which runs Malayalam TV channels Kairali TV, People TV and We TV. His last film was the 2011 film Ven Shankhu Pol. He is one of the founders of the Malayalam film actors association AMMA.

## Early life

Muraleedharan Pillai 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, Thulasi, Sheela, Harikumar and Sheeja. 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 Kerala Law Academy Law College, Thiruvananthapuram. 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 his first cousin Mini and has a daughter Karthika. His daughter married Sonoop R. Nair on 15 July 2016.

## Career
### Film actor

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"Amaram". Also worth-mentioning are his remarkable portrayals as a toddy tapper in Malayogam and as trade union leader in Varavelppu.
Murali acted in the longest TV commercial ever on Indian TV, spanning 150 seconds. This was for Air Deccan in 2005.

### Stage actor

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.

### Author

Murali authored five books. His book on Kumaranasan, Abhinethavum Asan 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).

### Politician

Murali was a member of Communist Party of India (Marxist) and has 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.

## Death

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.

## Awards

National Film Awards:
* 2001 – Best Actor – Neythukaaran
Kerala State Film Awards:
* 1992– Best Actor – Aadhaaram
* 1996 – Best Actor – Kaanakkinavu
* 1998 – Best Actor – Thalolam
* 2001 – Best Actor – Neythukaaran
* 1991 – Second Best Actor – Amaram
* 2007 – Second Best Actor – Veeralipattu, Pranayakalam
Kerala state TV Awards
* 2008– Kerala State Television Award for Best Actor – Aranazhikaneram
Filmfare Awards:
* 1992 – Best Actor – Aadharam
Other awards:
* Madras Film Fans Award
* Kerala Film Critics Award
* Shivaram Award
* Best columnist award: for his feature "Vyazhaporul" in the Malayala Manorama newspaper

## Filmography
### As actor
#### Malayalam

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1979 | Njattadi | Raghu | |
| 1985 | Chidambaram | Cheriyan | |
| 1986 | Meenamasathile Sooryan | Abubakar | |
| 1986 | Panchagni | Rajan | |
| 1987 | Nombarathi Poovu | Samuel | |
| 1987 | Neeyethra Dhanya | Hafiz Ali | |
| 1987 | Ezhuthapurangal | Raveendranath | |
| 1987 | Archanapookkal | | |
| 1987 | Jaalakam | Shivankutty | |
| 1987 | Rithubhedam | Appu | |
| 1987 | Swathi Thirunal | Shadkala Govinda Marar | |
| 1987 | Oru Maymasa Pulariyil | | |
| 1988 | David David Mr. David | Mr. David | |
| 1988 | Oohakachavadam | | |
| 1988 | Vida Parayaanmathram | Sebastian Joseph | |
| 1988 | Kanakambarangal | Ananthan Balussery | |
| 1988 | Puravrutham | Achu | |
| 1988 | Samvalsaragal | | |
| 1988 | Mattoral | Mahesh | |
| 1988 | Ayitham | Kachery Mani Iyyer | |
| 1988 | Arjun Dennis | | |
| 1988 | Padippura | | |
| 1988 | Moonnam Mura | Jayan | |
| 1989 | Naduvazhikal | Cherian | |
| 1989 | Kireedam | Lokanathan, Sub-Inspector | |
| 1989 | Anagha | Thommachan | |
| 1989 | Kaalal Pada | Firoz | |
| 1989 | Pandu Pandoru Desathu | | |
| 1989 | Maharajavu | | |
| 1989 | Dasharatham | Chandradas | |
| 1989 | Asthikal Pookkunnu | Sreedharan / Bhaskaran | |
| 1989 | Varavelpu | Prabhakaran | |
| 1989 | Artham | R. K. Nambyar | |
| 1990 | Mathilukal | Basheer's childhood friend | |
| 1990 | Vidhyarambham | Prabhakaran | |
| 1990 | Orukkam | Chandru | |
| 1990 | Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu | Philip Thennalackal George | |
| 1990 | Unnikuttanu Joli Kitti | | |
| 1990 | Kshanakkathu | | |
| 1990 | Kuttettan | Nair | |
| 1990 | Malayogom | Damodaran | |
| 1990 | Lal Salam | D.K. Antony | |
| 1990 | Ee Kanni Koodi | Vidyadharan | |
| 1990 | Aye Auto | Bhadran | |
| 1990 | Appu | Gopan | |
| 1990 | Kalikkalam | CI Shekharan | |
| 1991 | Ulladakkam | Roy | |
| 1991 | Santhwanam | John | |
| 1991 | Vishnulokam | Prathapa Varma Thampuran | |
| 1991 | Pookkalam Varavayi | Jayaraj | |
| 1991 | Kizhakkunarum Pakshi | Johnny | |
| 1991 | Yaathrayude Anthyam | Writer VKV | |
| 1991 | Adayalam | Dr. Mohan | |
| 1991 | Keli | Appootty | |
| 1991 | Kadavu | Rahman | |
| 1991 | Dhanam | Aboobacker/Abu | |
| 1991 | Aakasha Kottayile Sultan | Georgekutty | |
| 1991 | Amaram | Kochu Raman | |
| 1991 | Inspector Balram | City Police Commissioner Madhavan Nair IPS | |
| 1991 | Kanalkkattu | Ramu | |
| 1992 | Aardram | Uppan Raghavan | |
| 1992 | Valayam | | |
| 1992 | Snehasagaram | Josekutty | |
| 1992 | Arthana | Ramachandran | |
| 1992 | Sadayam | Madhavan Jailer | |
| 1992 | Kamaladalam | Madhavanunni | |
| 1992 | Sathyaprathinja | Achuthan | |
| 1992 | My Dear Muthachan | Kuriachan | |
| 1992 | Champakulam Thachan | Raghavan | |
| 1992 | Aadhaaram | Bapputty | |
| 1992 | Kauravar | Commissioner Rajagopal | |
| 1992 | Mahanagaram | Commissioner Chandradas | |
| 1993 | Porutham | Nanda Kumar | |
| 1993 | Venkalam | Gopalan | |
| 1993 | Naaraayam | Shekharan | |
| 1993 | Janam | Balachandran | |
| 1993 | Chamayam | Esthappan Aasan | |
| 1993 | Magrib | Razaq | |
| 1993 | Bhoomi Geetham | Thekkinkadu Krishnaprasad | |
| 1993 | Akashadoothu | Johnny | |
| 1994 | Sammohanam | Chandu | |
| 1994 | Chakoram | Lance naik Mukundan Menon | |
| 1994 | Sankeerthanam | | |
| 1995 | Sakshyam | Col. Rajasekharan Nambiar | |
| 1995 | Prayikkara Pappan | Achuthan / Prayikkara Pappan | |
| 1995 | Achan Kombathu Amma Varampathu | Chandrasekhara Menon | |
| 1995 | Indian Military Intelligence | Captain Anthony Domenic | |
| 1995 | The King | MP Jayakrishnan | |
| 1995 | Mangalyasootram | Karnan | |
| 1995 | Chaithanyam | | |
| 1996 | Kaanaakkinaavu | Chandradas | |
| 1996 | Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan | Dr. Nandakumar | |
| 1996 | Rajaputhran | K.R.Bhadran | |
| 1996 | Thooval Kottaram | Balaraman Varma | |
| 1997 | Sankeerthanam Pole | Kunjachan | |
| 1997 | Irattakuttikalude Achan | Venu | |
| 1997 | Adivaram | Constable Izahaq | |
| 1997 | Karunyam | Gopinathan Nair | |
| 1997 | Guru | Sahib Abdullah | |
| 1997 | Gangothri | Mukundan Menon | |
| 1997 | Bhoopathi | Ravi Varma | |
| 1998 | Rakthasakshikal Sindabad | E. Sreedharan | |
| 1998 | Kattathoru Penpoovu | | |
| 1998 | Thirakalkkappuram | Moothoru | |
| 1998 | Thalolam | Chittoor Sankaran Unni | |
| 1998 | Kaikudunna Nilavu | Rowther | |
| 1998 | The Truth | DGP Hariprasad IPS | |
| 1998 | Kallu Kondoru Pennu | Haridasan | |
| 1999 | Pathram | Shekharan | |
| 1999 | Independence | Kunikal Vasu | |
| 1999 | The Godman | Home Minister Abdul Rahim | |
| 1999 | Garshom | Nazaruddin | |
| 2000 | Kannaadikkadavathu | | |
| 2000 | Susanna | Josekutty | |
| 2000 | Sparsham | Valappil Raghavan | |
| 2000 | Devadoothan | Alberto | |
| 2000 | Dada Sahib | Dr. Raveendran | |
| 2001 | Sukhamo Sukam | | |
| 2002 | Jagapoga | | |
| 2002 | Aabharanacharthu | | |
| 2002 | Neelakasham Niraye | | |
| 2002 | Neythukaran | Appa Mestry | |
| 2002 | Sesham | | |
| 2002 | Shivam | Sudhakaran MP | |
| 2003 | Gramophone | Ravindranathan | |
| 2003 | C.I.D. Moosa | CM Ravi Menon | |
| 2003 | Anyar | | |
| 2003 | The Fire | Zakaria George | |
| 2004 | Maratha Nadu | Kunjikoya | |
| 2004 | Pravaasam | | |
| 2004 | Nizhalkuthu | Vasu | |
| 2004 | Runway | Bhai/Chandy | |
| 2005 | Kochi Rajavu | Chandrashekhara Menon | |
| 2005 | Iruvattam Manavaatti | Const. Anadan | |
| 2005 | Kanne Madanguka | Bhagyanathan | |
| 2005 | The Tiger | Jnanashekhara Varma IPS | |
| 2005 | Annorikkal | Father of Benny & Beena | |
| 2006 | Vadakkumnadhan | Balarama Pisharadi | |
| 2006 | Achante Ponnumakkal | | |
| 2006 | Vaasthavam | Pattam Raveendran | |
| 2006 | Baba Kalyani | Arackal Ashokan | |
| 2006 | Photographer | Viplavam Balan | |
| 2006 | Pulijanmam | Prakashan / Kari Gurukkal | |
| 2006 | Eakantham | Ravunni Menon | |
| 2007 | Vinodayathra | Vijayan | |
| 2007 | Drishtantham | | |
| 2007 | Naalu Pennungal | Chinnu Amma's husband | Segment: The Housewife |
| 2007 | Veeralipattu | Madhavan Nair | |
| 2007 | Pranayakalam | Stephen Varghese | |
| 2008 | Aayudham | Abdullah | |
| 2008 | Cycle | Simon | |
| 2008 | Swarnam | Raghavan | |
| 2008 | Sound of Boot | Sankaranarayanan | |
| 2009 | Kshatriyavamsam | | |
| 2009 | Malayali | Viswanathan Menon | |
| 2009 | Patham Adhyayam | Kumaran Ashari | |
| 2011 | Ven Shankhu Pol | | Posthumously |
| 2013 | Manjadikuru | Sanyasi Maaman / Murali | Released after 5 year gap |
| 2013 | Nadodimannan | Sakhavu Madhavan | Photo Role |
| 2017 | Ramaleela | Sakhavu Raghavan | Photo Role |

#### Tamil

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2001 | Dumm Dumm Dumm | Veluthambi | |
| 2002 | Gemini | DGP Singaperumal | |
| 2002 | Raajjiyam | Governor | |
| 2003 | Joot | Eashwaran's father | |
| 2005 | Ullam Ketkumae | Pooja's father | |
| 2005 | Raam | Malaichami | |
| 2005 | Majaa | Kalingarayar | |
| 2007 | Polladhavan | Shankar | |
| 2009 | Aadhavan | Subramaniam | Posthumous film |

#### Telugu

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 2000 | Okkadu Chaalu | Military Major | | |
| 2002 | Gemini | Commissioner Narendranath Chowdary | | |

#### Hindi

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
| 1997 | Abhaas | Ray Sahab | | |

### Story

* Ennu Nadhante Nimmi (1986)

## Television career

* Aranazhika Neram (Amrita TV)
* Sakunam ( DD Malayalam)

## Posthumous recognition

The Bharat Murali Cultural Centre was established at his birthplace, Kudavattoor. It presents the annual Bharat Murali Award to distinguished contributors to Malayalam cinema.
* 1st (2010) - K. P. A. C. Lalitha, actress; Kuttyedathi, actress
* 2nd (2011) - Manoj K. Jayan, actor
* 3rd (2012) - Kaviyoor Ponnamma, actress
* 7th (2016) - Surabhi Lakshmi, actress; Indrans, actor
* 9th (2020) - Vijith Nambiar, director