Shankar

Shankar Biography

Shankar Panikkar – Known as Shankar in Malayalam movies is a popular romantic hero during 80’s. He debuted silver screen with Fazil’s directorial debut ‘Manjil virinja pookkal’ as the leading hero, along with Poornima Jayaram in 1980. Mohan lal debuted silver screen through the same movie as villain. The movie was a big hit and gave stardom and romantic hero position of Malayalam. This movie is still remembered for its music given by jerry Amaldev. Shankar continued to deliver hits one after another and Mohanlal did villain roles during this time. Newspapers and magazines give a super star position to Shankar and declared that he will become super star very soon. But things changed quickly and many things replicated the true tale of the life of Rajesh Khanna. He began to taste failures from his most expected movies too and Mohan lal reached the stardom and mega star position. Shankar constrained to himself giving a temporary break to acting career. When he returned back after a short period, everything was left over from his hands; somewhat similar to real life story of Rajesh Khanna-Amitabh Bachchan of Bollywood.

He had a magical start through Tamil blockbuster ‘Oru thalai raagam’. His romantic looks and young age were enough to establish him as a good and popular hero. Though he has done junior artist role in Sarapangaram and Kummatty in 1979, his real break was ‘Manjil virinja pookkal’. Actually in the year 1980, movies of three heroes hit silver screen – Mohan lal, Mammooty and Shankar. The person who got quick attention was Shankar, but the person who faded quickly was also none other than him. It took years to Mohan lal and Mammooty to sustain in industry while Shankar was impatient with a few flops and gave it a small break.

Yet he will always be remembered for the wonderful romantic roles he played with Menaka and similar heroines. Though he has acted with almost all leading ladies of his age during 1980’s, it was Shankar-Menaka chemistry that clicked the silver screen most. They worked together in numerous movies like Amme Bhagavathy, Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, Muthodu muth, Engane nee marakkum,  Ente mohangal poovaninju, Archana Aradhana, Oru nokku kaanaan, Ponnum kudathinu pott, Ayalvaasi oru daridravaasi, Saundarya Pinakkam and many more. A remarkable record indeed! His successful movies include Priyadarshan’s debut superhit movie – Poochakkoru mookkuthi, where he acted along with Mohanlal. This movie was later remade after 20 years by same director as Hungama. They again paired in Sukhamo devi.

He has produced a few movies and did a few successful tele serials too. As a director he has done three movies in Malayalam though not proved successful.

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Updated: April 29, 2013