Balan K Nair

Balan K. Nair was born on the 4th of April 1933 in Chemmencherry, Kozhikode.  Even though he appeared in most films as villain, he was also noted for his performance in strong character roles. He won the national award for best actor in 1981 for the performance in the movie Oppol.

Balan K. Nair was born to Raman Nair, a store owner and Devaki Amma,a housewife. Prior to his entry in films, he worked as a mechanic in Kozhikode and owned a metal workshop. At that time he was associated with Sangammam Theatre in Kozhikode. After his marriage to Sharadha, he moved to Shoranur in Palakkad.

His son Meghanathan is also a Malayalam film actor. He is survived by his wife, Ms. Sarada, and children, Anil, Meghanathan, Ajayakumar, Latha and Sujatha.

Balan K. Nair made his debut in the film Nizhalattam, directed by P. N. Menon in 1972. He acted in more than 300 films in Malayalam, mostly as villain. He won Kerala state award for best acting in Adhiti and Thacholi Ambu. He won the national award for best actor for acting as a reformed military officer in the 1981 film Oppol.

Some his other well-known movies are Ee Naadu, Aaryan, and Oru Vaddakan Veeragatha. His last movie was Kadavu in 1990, in which he played the role of a Muslim oarsman.

Balan K. Nair died on 26 August 2000 in Thiruvananthapuram, after prolonged illness.

Prepared by: Dr. Susie Pazhavarical