Actor Murali dies

Eminent Malayalam film actor and the chairman of Kerala Sangetha Nataka Academy, Murali (55) died here at a private hospital. He was hospitalized following chest congestion.

Murali was born in 1954 as the first child of P. Krishna Pillai and K. Devaki Amma in Kollam.

Murali had acted in more than 300 films.

He got his first Kerala State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Amaram, directed by filmmaker Bharathan.

He later went on to win the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his role in Aadharam. Murali again won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his powerful portrayal of Appumestri in Neythukaran, directed by Priyanandanan. The same role won him the National Film Award for Best Actor for the year 2002.

He is known for his powerful portrayal of roles in lead as well as character roles. He acted in a variety of roles ranging from lead roles to villain roles, and won accolades.

Murali debuted into films with the lead role in Njattadi, directed by Gopi. But the film never released. He then got chance to act in Chidambaram, directed by national award winning filmmaker Aravindan. He then acted in Meenamasathile Sooryan and Panchagni, directed by noted filmmakers Lenin Rejendran and Hariharan, respectively.

Panchagni got released first and it gave his the break in his acting career. He then quickly got established as a powerful actor in the Malayalam film industry. Adharam, directed by George Kittu was the first film to get released with Murali in lead role.

Some of his other notable films include Nee Ethra Dhanya, Dhanam, The King, Veeralippattu, Achan Kombathu Amma Varambathu, Meenamasathile Sooryan, Swarnam, and The Truth.