Gopi (b. 1937)

Aka Bharath Gopi. Malayalam actor and more recently director, born in Chirayankil near Trivandrum. Full name: V. Gopinathan Nair. Known mainly as stage actor before joining films. Discovered by noted playwright and director of the Trichur School of Drama, G. Shankara Pillai; then lead actor of the Prasadhana Little Theatre. Achieved a major reputation on the stage, notably in roles like that of Shandilyan in the farce Bhagavatha Yajjukam (dir. Aravindan) and in folkdominated plays of Kavalam Narayana Panicker’s Thiruvarung (e.g. Avanevan Kadamba), before Adoor Gopalakrishnan cast him in Swayamvaram and Kodiyettam. His theatrical experience of stylised choreography, Kalaripayattu-derived footwork, complex incantatory speech and folk percussion patterns, provided him with unique skills to internalise the rhythm of a shot (cf. the raising of the circus tent scene in Thampu, or the tea-stall scene in Mani Kaul’s Satah Se Uthata Admi). Played several straight dramatic roles, e.g. as the government co-ordinator Mamachen in George’s Adaminte Variyellu, the drunk in Neram Pularumbol and the corrupt trade union leader in Nihalani’s Aaghat. Suffered a partial paralysis in the late 80s forcing him to suspend his acting career for some years. He turned to direction having débuted earlier with Njattadi, a jaundiced view of Leftist activists deploring the blind adventurism besetting the movement. Recently also worked as a theatre director (e.g. Kavalam Narayana Panicker’s Thirumudi). Published autobiography Abhinayam Anubhavam (1994).

FILMOGRAPHY (* d only): 1972: Swayamvaram; 1974: Thumbolarcha; 1976: Choondakari; 1977: Kodiyettam; 1978: Aaru Manikkur; Thampu; 1979: Peruvazhiyampalam; Njattadi (also d); 1980: Satah Se Uthata Admi; Greeshamam; 1981: Kallan Pavithran; Palangal; 1982: Alolam; Champalakadu; Snehapoorvam Meera; Thuranna Jail; Ormakkayi; Yavanika; Marmaram; 1983: Adaminte Variyellu; Akkare; Asthram; Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback; Nizhal Moodia Nirangal; Rachana; Ashtapadi; Kattathe Kilikoodu; Ente Mamattukuttiamma; Sandhya Mayungam Neram; 1984: Aduthaduthu; Appunni; April 18; Arorumariyathe; Oru Painkillikatha; Panchavadippalam; Swantham Sarika; 1985: Chidambaram; Aaghat; Archana Aradhana; Kanathaya Pennkutty; Karimbin Poovinakkare; Kayyum Thalayum Purathidaruthu; Neram Pularumbol; Onathumbikorunjal; Punnaram Cholli Cholli; Scene No. 7; Irakal; Meenamasathile Sooryan; 1986: Nilavinte Nattil; 1988: Ulsavapittennu*; 1991: Yamanam*; 1994: Swaham; 1995:Ormakalunda-yirikkanam.

Actor

Director