Meghanathan, who died at a private hospital aged 60 here on Thursday, wasn’t the most prolific of actors, but he could make a mark in the roles in Malayalam cinema, mostly as a villain, in a career that spanned over five decades.
He had big shoes to fill – he was the son of Balan K. Nair, one of the finest actors of his generation and winner of the National Award for the best actor. Meghanathan may have found those shoes a bit too big for him, but some of his performances, especially in films like Chenkol and Ee Puzhayum Kadannu, showed his skills as an actor.
He had begun his career in Asthram, directed by P.N. Menon. He was noticed in the celebrated film Panchagni, one of the several classics from the collaboration of director Hariharan and M.T. Vasudevan Nair. He played the troubled younger brother of Indira, one of Malayalam cinema’s strongest female characters played memorably by Geetha in her first Malayalam movie.
Hariharan said Balan K. Nair had told him about Meghananthan. “He said he wanted his son to make his debut through a film of mine,” the director told The Hindu. “I was happy with his work in Panchagni. Though a newcomer, he didn’t require too many retakes.”
Hariharan thinks Meghanathan deserved more films. “ He had the physique and voice required of an actor, but he was never the one who would seek chances from directors or producers,” he said. “I had cast him also in Pazhassi Raja, but he had not approached me for a role, I had called him up.”
Meghanthan also impressed in Chenkol, the sequel to Kireedam, a film that is still remembered for performances by Thilakan and Mohanlal as well as Lohithadas’s script. He portrayed the role of Sunny, the younger brother of Keerikkadan Jose, the unforgettable villain in Kireedam.
Despite noteworthy performances early in his career, Meghanathan somehow never became one of the busiest stars. But he reminded Malayalam cinema of his presence through films like Action Hero Biju and Kooman.
Published – November 21, 2024 10:10 am IST