M. Krishnan Nair (film Director)

M. Krishnan Nair (film Director) Biography

M. Krishnan Nair (November 2, 1917 – May 10, 2001) was a film director associated with Malayalam in the golden era of 1960s and 1970s. He has also given break to many leading and supporting actors to big screen, apart from other cine artists. His blockbuster Kuttipatalam in 1964 marked the career beginning of actress Philomina while Aniyathi in 1955 marked the debut of actress Kottayam Shanta. He has directed over 100 Malayalam films, apart from four Tamil films starring M. G. Ramachandran, perhaps the only Malayali director to do four films with MGR. In 1971 he directed blockbuster 'Rickshawkaran' which gave National award to MGR for best actor. Famous film directors like Hariharan and Bharathiraja have worked under him as assistants.

M. Krishnan Nair was born on November 2, 1917 in Thiruvananthapuram to R. Madhavan Pillai and Chellamma. He married K. Sulochana Devi and the couple had three sons. His son K. Jayakumar is a poet and lyricist, who currently serves as the first Vice Chancellor of Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University in Malappuram. His son Shrikuttan has also been a part of several films where he worked as director and associate director since the age of 17 and directed O’ Fabi (1993) – India’s first partially animated movie.  

After intermediate he worked as an assistant under various directors. He became an independent film director during 1955 and his debut film was CID starring Prem Nazir, which itself is a trendsetter. It was the first detective film made in Malayalam and its sequels were also released later. He has contributed numerous classics to Malayalam cinema and regularly worked with Prem Nazir. He directed two Telugu Films also. In 1965 he directed Kavya Mela, which received National award for best Malayalam film. Kadathukaaran, Amma, Collector Malathi, Kuttipatalam, Cochin Express, Kattu Thulasi, Khadeeja, Tara, Vivahita (remake of Hindi hit – Gumraah), Rowdy Ramu and Yamini are among his major hits.

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Updated: February 20, 2016