S. P. Pillai


S. P. Pillai was an Indian film and stage actor, best known for his comic roles in Malayalam films.

Biography

S. Pankajakshan Pillai alias S. P. Pillai was born in 1913 in the temple town of Ettumanoor in Kottayam district. His father Shankara Pillai, was a police constable. Pillai lost his parents at a young age. He could not afford basic education but obtained training in Ottan Thullal from Kalamandalam for a few years. He started his career as a supporting actor in stage plays. His first film, Appan Thamburan's Bhootharayar, did not release. His first released film was Jnanambika. He shot to fame as a comedy actor after the superhit film Nalla Thanka. He did notable roles in more than 300 films, including Snehaseema, Nayaru pidichapulivalu, Chemmen, Bharya, Vidarunna Mottukal. He played the role of Paananar in almost all the Vadakkan Pattu films of Udaya. He has even sung the song Vayaranu Nammalkku Daivam for the movie Thaskaraveeran, in 1957. Sanchari was his last film. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his performance in Taxi Driver. He died on 12 June 1985. Actress Manju Pillai is his granddaughter.

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards:

Filmography

As a singer

  • Vayaranu Nammalkku Daivam as Thaskaraveeran 1957