KS Gopinath

Mr KS Gopinath lived in Alleppey and he is no more with us. He was popularly known as “Alleppey Gopi” He started his acting career at a very young age in dramas, but on those days people were hesitant to take acting as a profession. Hence he managed to acquire a job very early, as his parents could not afford to send him for higher studies though he was good in his studies. However, he pursued his acting instinct also which provided him with part time income to support a big joint family. He worked as an Accountant in M/s. Empire Coir Works at Alleppey for over 40 years and he retired as Accounts Manager in Navodaya(Film Production Company owned by Mr. Appachan), Alleppey.

He was one of the main actors in the Alleppey Theatres Drama troupe, one of the popular professional drama troupes in the seventies and eighties. He was one of the pioneers in the troupe and was associated with them in their initial stages. He acted in many of their Christian Dramas in important roles and at times in the title roles. To name a few, Ten Commandments (as Joshua), 30 Vellikkasu (as Judas), David & Goliath (as David), etc., etc., his co-stars were Mr. Joseph Chacko, Mr. Saithan Joseph(Proprietor of Alleppey Theatres), etc. He also acted in a drama called “Chilamboli”, with co-actors like T.R. Omana (Film actress), Sasi Kumar (later became popular as famous hit film director). This drama theme was later used to make the popular film called “Manishada”, in which Prem Nazir depicted the role which was enacted by Mr. Gopinath in the drama. He was also an All India Radio Artist (Dramas).

Since he was based in Alleppey, he was offered small roles in many of Udaya Studio Films, thanks to the then great producer/director Mr. Kunchakko & his brother Mr. Appachan for their wholeheartedness. He acted in Achan, Shakuntala, Bharya, Rebecca, Jail, Pazhassi Raja (Old), Punnapra Vayalar, Ina Pravukal, Kattu Thulasi, Ponnapuram Kotta & many other films produced by Udaya Studios. He also acted in couple of films produced by Neela Productions owned by Mr. P. Subramaniam (Trivandrum), which were Sree Guruvayoorappan & Althara. He acted in a stellar role in “Aryankavu Kollasangham”, though this project got shelved. Although he was invited by his friend and the then popular director Sasi Kumar to move to Madras to pursue his career in the film industry, he opted against leaving his job and go to Madras except for one movie which he acted in a good role for Sasi Kumar, which was “Thommante Makkal” which co-starred stalwarts like Kottarakkara, Sathyan and Madhu. He got the opportunity to work with almost all leading stars of Malayalam Film Industry of his time. He resembled Sathyan in his looks and was handsome during his young and middle age days, which would have landed him with covetable roles in the malayalam film industry, had he opted for a full fledged acting career. He sacrificed many golden opportunities & preferred to stay with his family and relatives.

Prepared by: Dr. Susie Pazhavarical