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{{Short description|Indian film actor (1960–2026)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Santhosh K. Nayar
| image = Santhosh K Nayar.jpg
| birth_name = Santhosh Kesavan Nayar
| birth_date = {{birth date|1960|11|12|df=y}}<ref name="Mathrubhumi2026"/>
| birth_place = [[Trivandrum]], [[Kerala]], India
| death_date = {{death date and age|2026|05|05|1960|11|12|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Enathu]], Kerala, India
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1982–2026
| spouse = Subhasree V.
| relatives =
| children = 1
}}

'''Santhosh Kesavan Nayar''' (12 November 1960 – 5 May 2026) was an Indian actor who appeared in [[Malayalam cinema]]. He acted in more than 100 films, primarily in antagonistic roles.

==Early life and education==
Santhosh hailed from [[Trivandrum]], India.<ref name="MM1">{{cite web |url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=18598656&programId=1073753134&BV_ID=@@@&channelId=-1073751306&tabId=5 |title=Manorama Online {{!}} Women {{!}} Work & Life {{!}} |website=www.manoramaonline.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327201133/http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=18598656&programId=1073753134&BV_ID=@@@&channelId=-1073751306&tabId=5 |archive-date=2015-03-27}}</ref> He was the only son of retired headmaster C. N. Kesavan Nayar and P. Rajalakshmiamma, who is also a retired teacher. He grew up along with his two sisters in [[Pettah, Thiruvananthapuram]]. Santhosh was brought up by his maternal grandparents, advocate K. S. Chellappan Pillai and B. Parukuttyamma, when his parents left for [[Ethiopia]] on deputation.

Nayar completed his schooling at [[St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram|St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Trivandrum]]. He initially enrolled in an engineering programme at [[Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth]], but discontinued after one year.<ref name="Kaumudi2025"/> He subsequently pursued undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in mathematics at [[Mahatma Gandhi College]], where he also served as editor of the college magazine.<ref name="Mathrubhumi2026">{{cite news |author1=Movies Desk |title=മോഹൻലാലിന്റെ ജൂനിയർ, ജാക്കിയുടെ വലംകൈ; ‘സ്ഥി.വാ.ഗു’വായ വില്ലൻ, ഹാസ്യവേഷങ്ങളിലും തിളങ്ങിയ സന്തോഷ് |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/features/actor-santhosh-k-nayar-biography-death-ekdlkx8m |access-date=7 May 2026 |work=[[Mathrubhumi]] |date=5 May 2026 |language=ml}}</ref> He was involved in campus politics through the Democratic Students Union (DSU), the student wing of the [[National Democratic Party (Kerala)|National Democratic Party]] (NDP), and served as its president. Concurrently, he was associated with the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]], where he held organisational roles, including ''shikshak'' and ''mukhya shikshak''.<ref name="Kaumudi2025">{{cite news |author1=Keralakaumudi Daily |title='Mohanlal was part of SFI then, I was always involved in the activities of Swayamsevak Sangh, became mukhya shikshak' |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/cinema/cine-news/mohanlal-was-part-of-sfi-then-i-was-always-involved-in-the-activities-of-swayamsevak-sangh-became-mukhya-shikshak-1503186 |access-date=7 May 2026 |work=Keralakaumudi Daily |date=22 March 2025}}</ref>

Both his sisters turned became [[gynaecologist]]s while he wanted to pursue a career as an actor.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

==Film career==
Santhosh began his acting career while completing his final year of bachelor's degree, securing his first role through an audition.<ref name="MM1"/> He made his debut in the Malayalam film ''[[Ithu Njangalude Katha]]'' (1982), directed by [[P. G. Viswambharan]], in which he portrayed one of five principal protagonists. The film was a commercial success. In subsequent years, Nayar portrayed "semi-villain" roles.<ref name="mathrubhumi1">{{cite news |last1=Ravindran |first1=Rosa |title=Villain has the toughest part in films: Santhosh K Nayar |url=https://englisharchives.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/interview/interview-with-actor-santhosh-k-nayar-47970933 |access-date=5 May 2026 |work=[[Mathrubhumi]] |date=24 February 2019}}</ref>

His performance as a villain in ''[[Ivide Thudangunnu]]'' (1984), another box office success, marked a turning point, leading to a series of similar roles.<ref name="mathrubhumi1"/> He also played a recognizable villain role in ''[[April 18 (film)|April 18]]'' the same year.<ref name="Mathrubhumi2026"/> Despite this emerging typecasting, he played leading roles in ''Kothi Theerumvare'' and ''[[Ithu Nalla Thamasha]]'' (both 1985). In an interview with ''[[Mathrubhumi]]'', he stated that at the peak of his career he had worked in as many as 42 films within a single year.<ref name="mathrubhumi1"/> He played a positive role in ''[[Yuvajanotsavam]]'' (1986).<ref name="Mathrubhumi2026"/> Nayar's breakthrough performance came with the role of Lawrence in ''[[Irupatham Noottandu]]'' (1987), which significantly enhanced his public recognition. He played a comedic role in ''[[Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam]]'' (1989).<ref name="mathrubhumi1"/>

In 2005, Nayar took a four-year hiatus from acting in an effort to avoid typecasting. Following his return, he was cast in comparatively minor roles, often limited to a few scenes. Nevertheless, he played noticeable characters in ''[[Bus Conductor (film)|Bus Conductor]]'' (2006), ''[[Simhasanam (2012 film)|Simhasanam]]'' (2012), and ''[[Thiruvambadi Thamban]]'' (2012). He later played a humorous role in ''[[Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath]]'' (2013).<ref name="mathrubhumi1"/> The 2026 film ''[[Bharathanatyam 2 Mohiniyattam]]'' was his last release while alive. The film was a commercial success.<ref name="death"/>

==Personal life==
Santhosh married Subhasree V., a high-school teacher by profession; they had a daughter, Rajasree S. Nayar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=nithya |title=നടൻ സന്തോഷ് കെ നായരുടെ മകൾ വിവാഹിതയായി |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/actor-santhosh-k-nair-daughter-wedding-qoroin |access-date=2025-03-22 |website=Asianet News Malayalam |language=ml}}</ref>

On 5 May 2026, Santhosh died of a heart attack while undergoing treatment at a hospital in [[Enathu]] following a car collision at Puthussery, [[Adoor]]. He was 65.<ref name="death">{{cite news |title=Malayalam actor Santhosh K Nayar, who played his last role in ‘Mohiniyattam’ dies in car accident aged 65 |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2026/05/05/malayalam-actor-santosh-k-nayar-who-played-the-last-role-in-mohiniyattam-dies-in-a-car-accident-at-65.html |access-date=5 May 2026 |work=The Week |date=5 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Malayalam actor Santhosh K Nayar, who played his last role in ‘Mohiniyattam’ dies in car accident aged 65 |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2026/05/05/malayalam-actor-santosh-k-nayar-who-played-the-last-role-in-mohiniyattam-dies-in-a-car-accident-at-65.html |website=The Week |access-date=5 May 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=‘Lost our dear brother’: Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi condoles death of actor Santhosh Nayar |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/lost-our-dear-brother-mohanlal-suresh-gopi-condoles-death-actor-santhosh-nayar-c46uzskv |website=mathrubhumi |access-date=5 May 2026 |language=en |date=5 May 2026}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1982 || ''[[Ithu Njangalude Katha]]'' || Joseph ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 1983 || ''[[Nanayam]]'' || Babu's friend||
|-
| ''[[Pinnilavu]]'' || Basheer ||
|-
| rowspan=6 | 1984 || ''[[Ivide Thudangunnu]]'' || Rajan ||
|-
| ''[[April 18 (film)|April 18]]'' || Jacob ||
|-
| ''[[Nishedhi]]'' || Sunny ||
|-
| ''[[Oru Sumangaliyude Katha]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kurishuyudham]]'' || Simon ||
|-
| ''[[Sandyakkenthinu Sindhooram]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=18 | 1985 || ''[[Iniyum Kadha Thudarum]]'' || Sandeep ||
|-
| ''[[Ee Lokam Evide Kure Manushyar]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Ivide Ee Theerathu]]'' || Raju ||
|-
| ''[[Kandu Kandarinju]]'' || College student Sajan ||
|-
| ''[[Orikkal Oridathu]]'' || Baby Thomas ||
|-
| ''[[Eeran Sandhya]]'' || Freddy Louis ||
|-
| ''[[Aanakkorumma]]'' || Vikraman ||
|-
| ''[[Snehicha Kuttathinu]]'' || Vinod ||
|-
| ''[[Ithu Nalla Thamasha]]'' || Vjayakrishnan/Kuttappan ||
|-
| ''[[Vasantha Sena (1985 film)|Vasantha Sena]]'' || Mathews ||
|-
| ''[[Dheivatheyorthu]]'' || Shaji ||
|-
| ''[[Akalathe Ambili]]'' || Edwin ||
|-
| ''[[Upaharam (1985 film)|Upaharam]]'' || Vinod ||
|-
| ''[[Angadikkappurathu]]'' || Raghu ||
|-
| ''Kaattuthee'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kiraatham]]'' || Murali ||
|-
| ''[[Omanikkan Ormavaikkan]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Kothi Theerumvare'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=6 | 1986 || ''[[Ithile Iniyum Varu]]'' || Kasim ||
|-
| ''[[Nandi Veendum Varika]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Yuvajanotsavam]]'' || Nissar ||
|-
| ''[[Ente Shabdham]]'' || Abu ||
|-
| ''[[Snehamulla Simham]]'' || Hari S. Menon ||
|-
| ''[[Cabaret Dancer]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 1987 || ''[[Irupatham Noottandu]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Agni Muhurtham]]'' || Subair ||
|-
| ''Maanasa Maine Varu'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=5 | 1988 || ''[[Charavalayam]]'' || Karumban ||
|-
| ''[[Ayitham]]'' || Govindankutty ||
|-
| ''[[Oru Muthassi Katha]]'' || Karuppayyan ||
|-
| ''Oru Vivaada Vishayam'' || james||
|-
| ''1921'' || Keshavankutty||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 1989 || ''[[Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal]]'' || Chandukkutty Kuruppu ||
|-
| ''[[Crime Branch (film)|Crime Branch]]'' || Shaji ||
|-
| ''[[Najangalude Kochu Doctor]]'' || Rajeevan||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 1990 || ''[[Kadathanadan Ambadi]]'' || Thambikkutti ||
|-
| ''[[Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam]]'' ||Rambo's assistant ||
|-
| rowspan=5 | 1991 || ''[[Koodikazhcha]]'' || Viswanatha Panikkar ||
|-
| ''[[Vishnulokam]]'' || Sathyan ||
|-
| ''[[Koumara Swapnangal]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Kilukkam]]'' || Police Inspector ||
|-
| ''[[Kizhakkunarum Pakshi]]'' || Satheeshan ||
|-
| rowspan=6 | 1992 || ''[[Thalastaanam]]'' || Bharathan ||
|-
| ''[[Maanyanmar]]'' || Sathyan ||
|-
| ''[[Aardram]]'' || Moideen ||
|-
| ''[[Kauravar]]'' || Maathu ||
|-
| ''Valayam'' || ||
|-
| ''Radhachakram'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 1993 || ''[[Customs Diary]]'' || Babu ||
|-
| ''[[Dhruvam]]'' || Hassan||
|-
| ''[[Ammayane Sathyam]]'' || Hassan||
|-
| rowspan=7 | 1994 || ''Gaandeevam'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Sainyam]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Avan Ananthapadmanaabhan'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Paalayam]]'' || Thommi ||
|-
| ''[[Chukkan]]'' || ||
|-
| ''Kadal'' || ||
|-
| ''Dadha'' || Pappan||
|-
| rowspan=5 | 1995 || ''[[Sindoora Rekha]]'' || Chellappan ||
|-
| ''[[Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary]]'' || Chacko ||
|-
| ''[[Maanthrikam]]'' || Beeran ||
|-
| ''Chantha'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Thumboli Kadappuram]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 1999 || ''[[Crime File]]'' || SI Karthav ||
|-
| ''[[My Dear Karadi]]'' ||Sathyanathan ||
|-
| ''[[The Godman]]'' ||Moideen||
|-
| 2000 || ''Kaathara'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2002 || ''[[Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan]]'' || Cameo||
|-
|''[[Krishna Gopalakrishna]]'' || Jangathnathan ||
|-
| rowspan=5 | 2004 || ''[[Runway (2004 film)|Runway]]'' || Achayan ||
|-
| ''[[Natturajavu]]'' || Alex ||
|-
| ''Freedom'' || ||
|-
| ''Vellinakshathram'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Vettam]]'' || Karunan ||
|-
| rowspan=4 | 2005 || ''[[Kochi Rajavu]]'' || Karimbarakkal Divakaran ||
|-
| ''[[Chandrolsavam]]'' || Sahadevan ||
|-
| ''[[The Tiger (2005 film)|The Tiger]]'' || Rajath Naidu ||
|-
| ''[[Bus Conductor (film)|Bus Conductor]]'' || ||
|-
| rowspan=3 | 2006 || ''[[Lion (2006 film)|Lion]]'' || SI Prathapa Varma||
|-
| ''[[Mahasamudram]]'' || Rival Player||
|-
| ''[[Chess (2006 film)|Chess]]'' || Crime Branch||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 2007 || ''[[Khaki (2007 film)|Khaki]]'' || Sukumaran ||
|-
| ''[[Alibhai]]'' || Shankaran||
|-
|2008 || Pramukhan || ||
|-
| 2009 || ''[[I. G. – Inspector General]]'' || ADGP Yoonus IPS ||
|-
| rowspan=4 | 2010 || ''[[Kaaryasthan]]'' || Puthezhathu Vijayan||
|-
| ''[[Pokkiri Raja (2010 film)|Pokkiriraja]]'' || Divakaran||
|-
| ''[[Valiyangadi (film)|Valiyangadi]]'' || SI Abdul Jabbar ||
|-
| ''Koottukkar'' || CR Rajan ||
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Venicile Vyapari]]'' || SI Karikkan George ||
|-
| rowspan=5 | 2012 || ''[[Bhoomiyude Avakashikal]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Simhasanam (2012 film)|Simhasanam]]'' || Balan ||
|-
| ''[[Mayamohini]]'' || Sub Registar ||
|-
| ''[[Thiruvambadi Thamban]]'' || Parameshwaran ||
|-
| ''[[Madirasi]]'' || Udumpi Mani ||
|-
| rowspan=5 | 2013 || ''[[Nakhangal (2013 film)|Nakhangal]]'' || ||
|-
| ''[[Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath]]'' || DYSP George ||
|-
| ''[[Sound Thoma]]'' || Raghava Panicker
|-
| ''[[Sringaravelan]]'' || Avarachan Muthalali||
|-
| ''[[Ginger (2013 film)|Ginger]]''||[[Sub-inspector|SI]] Ajith Kumar
|-
| 2014 || ''On The Way'' || ||
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Cousins (2014 film)|Cousins]]'' || Rajarajan ||
|-
| 2016 || ''Pa.Va'' || ||
|-
| 2018 || ''Drama'' || ||
|-
| 2021 || ''[[Aaraattu_(2022_film)|Aarattu]]'' ||Bhadran ||
|-
| 2023 || ''[[1921: Puzha Muthal Puzha Vare]]'' || Abdullakutty ||
|-
| 2026 || ''[[Bharathanatyam 2 Mohiniyattam]]'' || Temple committee member ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-29 |title=Mohiniyattam Trailer: Bharathanatyam sequel promises Drishyam-coded comedy |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2026/Mar/29/mohiniyattam-trailer-bharathanatyam-sequel-promises-drishyam-coded-comedy |access-date=2026-04-25 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|}

==Television==
* ''Swapnam'' – [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]]
* ''Sreekrishnan'' – [[Sun Surya|Surya TV]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0763503}}
* [http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Santhosh&limit=38 Santhosh] at MSI

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nayar, Santhosh K.}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:2026 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Indian male television actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Malayalam television]]
[[Category:Road incident deaths in India]]

Santhosh K. Nayar - Revision history

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