Thilakan

Some Lesser Known Facts About Thilakan

• In an interview, he revealed that his second-grade school teacher, Mariyakutty, was the first to realise his artistic talent. Thilakan first appeared on stage as an actor in a play written by the teacher titled Kittunnathil Pathi, for a school annual function.

• Thilakan dropped out of college and joined the Indian Army, for a brief period.

• His army career came to an end after he met with a fatal accident and the army doctors decided to amputate his leg for which consent was not required during that time. It was an official visit by the prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, that helped him. He appealed to the Prime Minister for a mandatory consent form for such surgeries after which the rules were amended and his legs were saved.

• After his return, he and his friends, started a drama troupe called the Mundakayam Nataka Samithi.

• As a professional theatre artist, he was part of several leading theatre groups such as Kerala People’s Arts Club (KPAC), Kalidasa Kalakendram in Kollam, Changanasserry Geedha, and P. J. Antony’s drama troupe.

  

• His mother did not like the profession he chose, and they were not on talking terms with each other for a very long period.

• He considered the legendary actor and director, P. J. Antony, his guru and mentor. His debut film Periyar (1973) was P. J. Antony’s directorial.

• He also performed various plays for the All India Radio (AIR).

• Some of his evergreen characters apart from the award-winning roles are the grandfather in the film Moonnam Pakkam (1988), Ananthan Nambiar in the films Nadodikkattu (1987) and the sequel Pattanapravesham (1988), Paul Pailokkaran in Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal (1986), Kochuvava in Kattukuthira (1990), and the retired station master, Raghavan Nair, in Sandesham (1991).

  

• In an interview, he alleged that his role in Perumthachan (1990) was considered for the Best actor, but it was changed at the last minute by a politician for some political gains. ^[4]Rediff

• His combination with Mohanlal was always well-appreciated by the audience, some of their notable films are Kireedam (1989), Chenkol (1993), Pavithram (1994), Spadikam (1995), and Evidam Swargamanu (2009).

  

• In an interview, he said that his popular character Chacko Maash in Spadikam had shades of his strict disciplinarian father.

• Thilakan acted in every South Indian film industry. He acted in over 200 films.

• He acted as the father of almost every lead actor in the Malayalam industry from Mammootty and Mohanlal to Kunchacko Boban and Prithviraj Sukumaran.

• He favoured the political party, Communist Party of India (CPI).

• He alleged that a Nair lobby was prevalent in the Malayalam film industry that worked behind the scenes to pass on prominent roles to the Savarna people. ^[5]The Quint

• Thilakan suffered from various ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease for quite a long time. He was hospitalised after he fainted while shooting for the film Scene Onnu Nammude Veedu. He was later shifted to KIMSHEALTH Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram for further treatment. His health deteriorated due to pneumonia and multiple heart attacks. ^[6]BBC

• His cremation was held at Santhi Kavadam Electric Crematorium at Thycaud with full State honours.

• He had a particular liking for driving long distances.