N. L. Balakrishnan

N. L. Balakrishnan Biography

N. L. Balakrishnan was a popular character artist associated with Malayalam cinema and television. His gigantic figure has wisely been used by many popular film directors like Sathyan Anthikkad to create hilarious comedy scenes to movies like Nadodi Kaattu, where he played the role of a bird photographer. In real time too, Balakrishnan is a photographer. He worked as a photo journalist of Kerala Kaumudi daily, apart from doing still photography for more than 170 Malayalam films since 1967. A blessed actor, he got opportunity to work with many leading film directors of Malayalam film industry like G. Aravindan, John Abraham, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, P. Padmarajan, Bharathan and K. G. George.

His real name is Velayudhan. He was born on 17 April 1943 in Powdikonam, Thiruvananthapuram. He was a single child to his parents, Narayanan and Lakshmi. After completing diploma in painting from College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram he trained in photography from various studios of the capital city. He got his first break to Malayalam film industry as a still photographer for the movie, Kalli Chellamma in 1967. He was introduced to film producer Sobhana Parameswaran Nair by K. Neelakanta Pillai of Rupalekha Studio, which gave him the first big break to film world. Since then he has worked as a still photographer for more than 170 movies.

As a still photographer he regularly worked with G. Aravindan. He did still photography of 11 films for this acclaimed film director. He worked with Adoor Gopalakrishnan in five films. With Padmarajan, he did eight films. He was a favourite of film directors of new wave cinema in the 1970s and 1980s. Ammanam Kili marked his film debut as an actor and since then he has played character roles for more than 180 films.

Kaakkothi Kaavile Appuppan Thaadikal, Naadodikaattu, Pattanapravesham and Orkkappurath are among his noted film roles. Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus (2013) was his last release. He acted in television serials also. He was featured in the popular song on women empowerment for Doordarshan in the late 1980s – Odiyaadunna Pennkidavu. He played the giant with a heart of a child in most of his films. In 2014 November he was diagnosed with cancer and he died the following month.

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Updated: July 09, 2016