Balan. K. Nair

Balan. K. Nair Biography

Balan. K. Nair is a National award winning actor of Malayalam. He won national awards for the movie Oppol in the year 1981. Though National acclamation came his way in the form of Best actor, he mostly appears onscreen as a cruel villain. Yet during the later stage of his life, he appeared in character roles and was critically ill for a long time and died on August 26, 2000. His characters have always been powerful and dominative onscreen and he will always remain as one of the best villains of Malayalam cinema. His son Meghanathan is also a Malayalam film actor though not as popular as father. He had worked as a stunt double for Bollywood star Dev Anand before his entry to Malayalam cinema. He acted in more than 300 films in Malayalam.  

Balan. K. Nair was born on April 4, 1933 in Chemancheri, Kozhikode. His father Idakkulam Karinattu Veettil Kutti Raman Nair was a store owner and his mother Devaki Amma, a housewife. He owned a metal work shop in Kozhikode and has also worked as a mechanic before entering films. He was a theatre artist in those days and was associated with Sangamam Theatre. After his marriage with Sharadha, he moved to Shornur.

Balan. K. Nair’s debut movie was Nizhalattam released in the year 1972. A few of his memorable roles during 70’s include – Chenda, Darshanam, Swapnam, Thacholi Marumakan Chanthu, Chottanikkara Amma, Uttarayanam, Panchami, Samasya, Chembarathi, Maappusakshi and Mazhakkaru. It was during the second half of 70’s that he emerged as the ‘Top villain’ of Malayalam cinema. He has acted with top star Prem Nazir in many action movies during late 70’s as well as early 80’s. He was the villain of the movie Kolilakkam and the emerging star Jayan died in the helicopter accident while the climax scene was shot. The film was an uncredited remake of the 1965 Yash Chopra Hindi movie, Waqt, where Balan K. Nair played villain’s role.  

Apart from his national awards, he has won Kerala state Second best actor award twice for Adhiti in 1974 and Thacholi Ambu in 1978. His last appearances onscreen were for the movies – Amaram, Appu and Purappadu. 

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Updated: November 19, 2013