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