Madhu | From Chemmeen to Nadi

 [ This is dedicated to the “One who inconsolably wept watching Chemmeen 🙂 ” ]
Maybe this might be in your ‘Obvious List’ already but I strongly felt I had to put this down. There are a handful of celluloid characters that were brought to life by Madhu that seem to have taken permanent residence in the celebrated ‘big wide ballroom of Malayalam cinema classics in my head‘ and by virtue, merits a celebration anytime. Please note, that this list/compilation, like everything else here at OMC,  is one of my personal favorites, and would find points of resonance with yours too, I hope.

Madhu | Actor . Director . Producer . Legend .

Madhu turns 78, this September 23 !

Credit : Pushpajan Taliparamba

Of the tiny trickle of search request terms that Google so generously dumps at my doorstep, the third most popular term of all time is “Madhu film“. I guess, that, though itsy-weeny-teeny miniscule in volume, is an indicator of the popularity and the affection that he enjoys as an actor, or shall we say, as one of the patriarchs of Malayalam cinema.

The once ‘Hindi Lecturer’ was a unique personality who never ever upset the ‘business equations’ of the existing power centers of the Malayalam cinema industry which he stepped into, with Ninamaninja Kaalpaadukal (1963), but ensured that he was adept to mold himself into any role, without any inhibitions, that resulted in some of the memorable movies and characters that have become a part of our legacy. Then again, hey, this is my personal opinion.