G. K. Pillai (actor): Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Indian actor (1924–2021)}}

| birth_date        = July 1924

| birth_place        = [[Chirayinkeezhu]], [[Kingdom of Travancore]], [[British India]]

| death_place        = [[Edava]], [[Kerala]], India

| years_active      = 1954–1988, 2001–2019

'''G. Keshava Pillai''' (July 1924 – 31 December 2021) was an Indian actor and army and naval officer known for his work in [[Malayalam cinema]]. He was active for 65 years in more than 325 Malayalam films, known for revolutionising the role of the [[antagonist]] in [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]] and [[Television in India|television]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=P. K. Ajith|date=2021-12-31|title=A towering presence in Malayalam cinema for seven decades|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/a-towering-presence-in-malayalam-cinema-for-seven-decades/article38080571.ece|access-date=2021-12-31|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Veteran Malayalam actor G K Pillai Passes Away At 97|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/entertainment-news-veteran-malayalam-actor-g-k-pillai-passes-away-at-97/407653|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-31|website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=ലേഖകൻ|first=മാധ്യമം|date=2021-12-31|title=നടൻ ജി.കെ പിള്ള അന്തരിച്ചു|url=https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/actor-gk-pillai-passes-away-901797|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-01|work=[[Madhyamam]]|language=ml}}</ref> He was known for his acclaimed villain roles in Vadakkanpattu action films, historical films and other action films during the 70s and 80s. He took also many notable roles in family-focused films and TV shows. He is the only actor after [[Jayan]], during the 80s, to have done most of his stunts in films without the use of stunt doubles.

==Life and career==

Pillai was born in [[Chirayinkeezhu]] in July 1924 to Perumpaattathil Govindapillai and Saraswathi Amma. He received his primary education from Chirayenkeezhu Sree Chithira Thirunal High School. He was married to Late Ulpalakshiyamma and has six children named; K Prathapachandran, Sreekala R Nair, Sreelekha Mohan, Sreekumari B Pilla, Chandramohanan and K Priyadarshanan.<ref>{{Cite news|title=നടൻ ജി.കെ പിള്ള അന്തരിച്ചു|url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/actor-gk-pillai-passed-away-1.6317577|access-date=2021-12-31|work=Mathrubhumi|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> His debut movie was [[Snehaseema]] in 1954.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archived copy|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/312703/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215014015/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/312703/|archive-date=15 December 2013|access-date=15 December 2013}}</ref> He joined Indian military before entering films. He served in both Indian army and Indian Navy. After a long career in films, he began to act in TV serials too. His TV debut was in the serial 'Aakaasaththile Paravakal ', directed by Madhupal  and telecast in [[Surya TV|Kairali TV]]. He later appeared in many TV serials. His portrayal in the serial '[[Kumkumapoovu]]' got wide attention. Ulpalakshi Amma, his wife, predeceased him in 2011. Pillai died at his home in Edava on 31 December 2021 at the age of 97.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Veteran Malayalam actor GK Pilla dies at 97|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2021/12/31/veteran-malayalam-actor-gk-pilla-dies-at-97.html|access-date=2021-12-31|work=OnManorama}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=നടൻ ജി.കെ.പിള്ള അന്തരിച്ചു; മുന്നൂറിലേറെ സിനിമകളിൽ നിറസാന്നിധ്യം|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/latest-news/2021/12/31/actor-g-k-pillai-passed-away.html|access-date=2021-12-31|work=ManoramaOnline|language=ml}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Veteran Malayalam actor G K Pillai dies at 97|work=[[Press Trust of India]]|url=http://www.ptinews.com/news/13010495_Veteran-Malayalam-actor-G-K-Pillai-dies-at-97.html}}</ref>

*2005  Best Character Actor (for his role in serial :Megham)–Asianet television awards

* 2011 Jayan Ragamalika Award

* Chandrahaasam (1980)

*Ente Sathyanweshana Pareekshakal (2019)

==Television==              

* 2001 - Porutham ([[Surya TV]])

* 2004 - Megham ([[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]])

* 2006 - Ammamanassu ([[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]])

*2009-2010- Ente Manasaputhri ([[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]])

* 2010 - Autograph ([[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]])

[[Category:1924 births]]

[[Category:2021 deaths]]