Veteran Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away

Kozhikode: Famous Malayalam actor Meghanathan passed away early Thursday morning at a private hospital in Kozhikode. The 60-year-old actor had been battling a lung ailment for some time and was undergoing treatment when he breathed his last.

Meghanathan, a prominent figure in the Malayalam film industry, was born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, as the third child of iconic actor Balan K. Nair and Sarada Nair. He made his acting debut in 1983 with the film 'Asthram'.Throughout his three-decade-long career, he gained recognition for his compelling performances in villainous roles, much like his late father, Balan K. Nair, who had earned fame as a prominent villain actor in Malayalam cinema and was a National Award-winning actor. Despite his talent, Meghanathan appeared in only around 60 films, including a few Tamil films, a number that contrasts with the extended careers of many of his contemporaries.

Among the notable films he starred in are 'Panchagni', 'Chamayam', 'Rajadhani', 'Bhoomigeetham', 'Chenkol', 'Malappuram', 'Haji Mahanaya Joji', 'Prayikkara Pappan', 'Udyanapaalakam', 'Ee Puzhayum Kadannu', and 'Vaasthavam'. He was especially noted for his portrayal of antagonistic characters, a legacy he inherited from his father, who won the National Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1981 film 'Oppol'.

In addition to his successful film career, Meghanathan was also a familiar face on television. He appeared in popular serials such as 'Sthreetvam', 'Meghasandesham', 'Kathayariyathe', 'Snehanjali', and 'Chitta'. His most recent film appearance was in 'Samadhana Pusthakam', which was released earlier this year.

Meghanathan is survived by his wife, Susmitha, and daughter, Parvathi. His funeral is scheduled to take place at his residence in Shoranur on Thursday. Despite his relatively brief career, Meghanathan's contribution to Malayalam cinema and television, particularly in villainous roles, left a lasting impact on the industry.

With IANS inputs