P. Venu

P. Venu Biography

Pattathil Venugopalan Menon, popularly called P. Venu was a noted film maker and screenwriter of Malayalam. He is credited to make the first multi-starrer movie in south Indian cinema. The movie was Udyogasta released in 1967 which included an ensemble star cast of Prem Nazir, Satyan, Madhu, Sharada and Vijaya Nirmala. It was his debut movie as an independent director too. Venu has directed 20 movies in total. C.I.D. Nazir in 1971 with lead actor Prem Nazir set a new trend of investigation thrillers in Malayalam cinema. He also started a new trend of investigation sequels in Malayalam cinema by giving two more detective movies in the CID series - Taxi Car in 1972 and Prethangalude Thaazhvazha in 1973. He was active in the industry since 1960s and took a break in the 1990s. Parinamam released in 2003 was his last movie. He was also an active member of MACTA till his death.

Venu was born in Purannatukara village, in the outskirts of Thrissur town. Since his younger days he loved cinema. He joined Merryland Studio, Thiruvananthapuram as s an apprentice and Assistant Director. Multi-starrer Udyogasta released in 1967 marked his directorial debut and the movie was a commercial hit too. He also wrote its screenplay. It was also the debut film of Shoba as a child artist in Malayalam Cinema. Virunnukari and Veettu Mrugam both in 1969 just followed it and both the movies were commercial hits, cementing his position in the film industry.

He is also credited to direct the first full-length comedy in Malayalam Cinema. The movie was Viruthan Shanku in 1968 with Adoor Bhasi in lead hero role. With the early 1970s he set the trend of investigation thrillers in Malayalam cinema. Udyogastha Muthal (2010) is his autobiography work.

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Updated: July 22, 2014