GK Pillai in Padayottam (1982)
GK Pillai, in conversation with TN Gopakumar of Asianet ( which you can watch here ) talks about being a part of more than 300 movies in Malayalam cinemas till date, and of course a fair share of TV soaps as well. For someone with such prolific output ( an average of 5 movies per year ), for me, his memorable ones came in the first two decades, after which, it was just “mindless cloning” of the ones that had already passed by.
As I mentioned here, picking out your favorite movies of GK Pillai is a strange exercise, and hence I have just settled down on a cross -section of his movies through the years through a set of images, which in itself, looks uncannily similar as far as onscreen characters go.
This also bring up interesting aspects like having played the SAME CHARACTER in TWO DIFFERENT MOVIES from Merryland – that of Sage Viswamitra in Harischandra (1955) and SreeRama Pattaabhishekam (1962) – a supporting role which I think has only been replicated by another actor in a supporting role – SP Pillai as the Paanan ( the traveling Bard ) in almost all of their Vadakkan Pattu movies ! No, we are NOT speaking about Prem Nazir who overdid himself with leading roles, but of the supporting cast here.
GK Pillai as Sage Viswamitra in Harischandra (1955)
Here is GK Pillai reprising the role 7 years later.
GK Pillai as Sage Viswamitra in Sri Rama Pattaabhishekam (1962)
Nair Pidicha Pulivaal (1958) was a milestone in GK Pillai’s career as well, apart from being one of the enduring classics in Malayalam film history.
GK Pillai in Nair Pidicha Pulivaal (1958)
It was his first full-blown attempt as a villain, though with comic aspersions, which I guess was how the screenplay wanted it.
GK Pillai | From the 1950′s.
GK Pillai in Snehaseema (1954), his debut film
GK Pillai in Harischandra (1955)
GK Pillai | From the 1960′s.
GK Pillai in Gnanasundari (1961)
GK Pillai as Sage Viswamitra in Sri Rama Pattaabhishekam (1962)
GK Pillai in Danger Biscuit (1969)
GK Pillai | From the 1970′s.
GK Pillai in Nair in Lottery Ticket (1970)
GK Pillai in Agnimrugam (1971)
GK Pillai in Jesus (1973)
GK Pillai | From the 1980′s.
GK Pillai in Ee Nadu (1982)
GK Pillai in August 1? (1988)
GK Pillai | From the 2000′s.
GK Pillai in Karyasthan (2010)
Which are your memorable films of GK Pillai ?
Related : GK Pillai | In Conversation from Kairali TV (2008)
Related : GK Pillai | 58 active years as an Actor in Malayalam movies
Related : GK Pillai | In Conversation with TN Gopakumar, Asianet (2012)
Seemed as though he was there in almost every movie at one time! He had (still has) a certain clipped way of dialogue delivery, very clear and grammar perfect. Must be a remnant of his army days.
His prolific years seem to me the late sixties and the early seventies from what I can gather. And the roles just kept repeating each other.That clipped delivery also makes it a trifle difficult, in my opinion to bring out the ‘softer emotions’ via voice modulations too.But then again, GK Pillai as the pleading, helpless maternal uncle ?Fat chance
..thanks..cinematters