Venu Nagavally


Venu Nagavally was an Indian actor, screenwriter and director best known for his work in Malayalam film industry. The son of writer, commentator, and broadcaster Nagavally R. S. Kurup, Venu Nagavally made his film debut with Ulkkadal, where he played the role of an idealistic lover. He was considered a handsome lead in his early career, often appearing as a romantic youth. His soft demeanor also made him well-suited for melancholic characters. Later in his career, he shifted to supporting roles. Having acted in over 50 films, he went on to direct 12 films, the majority of which were critically and commercially successful, including Sukhamo Devi, Sarvakalashala, Lal Salam, and Aye Auto, Aayirappara. Venu Nagavally died at Thiruvananthapuram on 9 September 2010.

Early life

Venu Nagavally was born on 16 April 1949 as the son of the noted play writer Nagavally R. S. Kurup and Rajamma. Ramachandran, Vasundara and Lalithambika are his siblings. He completed his education from Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram and University College Thiruvananthapuram. He had a bachelor's degree in Politics and a Diploma in journalism. Venu Nagavally died at KIMS hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on 9 September 2010 due to liver cirrhosis. He was 61 at the time of his death, and was cremated with full state honours at Santhikavadam crematorium on the same day. He is survived by his son Vivek. Meera Venu Nagavally, his wife, died on 26 April 2025.

Career

Venu started his career as an announcer in Akashvani. He later sung a song in the movie Chottanikkara Amma but was noticed only in 1978 when he acted in the movie Ulkkadal directed by K. G. George, thus starting his acting career in movies. His noted movies as an actor are Shalini Ente Koottukari, Meenamasathile Sooryan, Pakshe, and Chillu.
Venu's first movie as a director was Sukhamo Devi which he himself describes as his own tragical love story. Later he directed the superhit movies Lal Salam, Aey Auto, Aayirappara, Rakthasaakshikal Zindabad etc. Lal Salaam and Rakthasaakshikal Zindabad revolved around the lives of the early Communist leaders of Kerala. It was his directorial projects like "Sughamo devi", "Sarvakalashala", "Aey Auto" and "Lal Salam" that cemented Mohanlal's status as a superstar, in the late 1980s. Venu has also written scripts for a few movies including the Priyadarshan directed blockbuster movie Kilukkam. His first movie as a script writer was Ee Ganam Marakkumo.
His oeuvre also had a strain of his left leanings; in addition to acting in films like Meenamasathile Sooryan and heading the production wing of a pro-left television channel, two of the films he directed – Lal Salam and Raksthasakhikal Zindabad – were an introspective look at the rise and fall of communist ideals. Venu examines these issues by dealing with the cracks in political movements, its hopes and later degeneration, create in human relationships.
The movies for which he has sung songs include Chillu, Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki, Oru Painkilikatha out of which the song "Kochu Chakkarachi Pettu" from the movie Ente Ammu, Ninte Thulasi, Avarude Chakki became quite popular.

Filmography

Writer

Television

  • Ente Manasaputhri
  • Kadamattath Kathanar
  • Mizhi thurakumbol
  • "Thinkalum Tharakangalum"
  • Marubhumiyil pookkalam
  • Ekaakini
  • Arohanam
  • Chitta
  • Thanichu
  • Ohari
  • Kurukhetram
  • Gandhari
  • Mangalyam
  • Manaswini
  • Thalolam
  • Ellam Mayajaalam
  • ''Kannan Vannengil''