C. I. Paul

C. I. Paul Biography

C. I. Paul was a noted actor associated with Malayalam film industry. He excelled in portraying character roles, and has handled a variety of roles from comedy to negative shaded ones. He was a stage actor too, and has appeared in a few television serials. Madatharuvi – marked his film debut where he essayed the role of Fr Benedict. Since then he appeared in around 300 movies. He was active in the film scene through late 1960 till 2000s, till his death in 2005. He was introduced to film scene after his success as a stage actor.

He was a member of the working party led by Fr. Vadakkan. Paul died on 14 December 2005 at Thrissur due to heart failure. He was 61 years old. He was active in the film scene till his death. He was called ‘Paul Ettan’ by his friends of film circle. He spent 38 years in Malayalam cinema. He was one among those rare artists of Malayalam cinema, who put life to almost all the characters he received, and never expressed reluctance over a role given. But he played only less number of roles for television serials, as he was against the soap format of lagging scenes for episodes.

Paul hailed from Thrissur, Kerala. He was born in 1944. He dreamt to become a successful stage actor since young. Since young he was interested in doing comedy roles. He was a part of church plays and school plays since his school days at Thrissur. Then he became a part of stage plays of C. A. Jose. Paul used to do prominent roles in Jose’s plays. Actresses Thrissur Elsy and Philomena have worked with him in those days. He started his professional career as a stage artist in 1965 with Kala Nilayam.

He made his film debut in 1967 with the film – Madatharuvi. He was spotted by the film director Thomas in one of his stage plays and that’s how he made his film debut. Yet he was active in theatre, and occasionally appeared in films. Kopra was one of his early noted roles. He came to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s, and some of his noted roles include – Vadakkunokkiyantram, Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, Akkare Ninnoru Maran, Aavanazhi, Gandhinagar 2nd Street, Midhunam, Samooham, Aram + Aram = Kinnaram, Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Pavithram, Bhoomi Geetam etc.

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Updated: June 19, 2016