Gopinathan Velayudhan Nair, popularly known as Bharath Gopi (Malayalam: ഭരത് ഗോപി; 8 November 1937 – 29 January 2008) was an Indian film actor, producer, and director.^[1] He was one of the first actors to be associated with the New Wave cinema movement in Kerala.^[2]

He has won many awards, including the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role as Sankarankutty in Kodiyettam (1977), and hence he got the name Bharath. His well known roles include Aiyappan in Yavanika, Vasu Menon in Palangal, Prof. "Shakespeare" Krishna Pillai in Kattathe Kilikoodu, Dushasana Kurup in Panchavadi Palam, Nandagopal in Ormakkayi, Mammachan in Adaminte Vaariyellu, Mohandas in Chidambaram, and Krishnan Raju in Aghaat.

As a filmmaker he is known for Ulsavapittennu (1989) and Yamanam (1991). He produced the movie Padheyam (1993) directed by Bharathan. In 1991 the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri for his contributions towards the arts. On 24 January 2008, Gopi was hospitalized with chest pains. He died five days later following a cardiac arrest.

Early life[link]

Bharath Gopi was born on 8 November 1937 at Chirayinkeezhu in Thiruvananthapuram District of the state of Kerala as the youngest of four children to Kochuveetil Veelayudhan Pillai and Parvathyamma. He completed his BSc. Degree from Thiruvananthapuram University College. Immediately after his studies, he was employed as Lower Division Clerk in the Kerala Electricity Board.^[3][4]

Career[link]

Stage actor[link]

Gopi began his acting career as a theatre actor at Prasadhana Little Theatres under G. Sankara Pillai. His first stage appearance was in the role of Raaghavan in the play Abhayarthikal. Later on, he became associated with Thiruvarange under Kaavalam Narayana Panicker. He has also written five plays and directed three.^[5]

Film actor[link]

Gopi became interested in cinema through the Chitralekha Film Society, founded by Adoor Gopalakrishnan.^[6] He made his movie debut in Adoor's Swayamvaram in 1972 in a small role. He did the lead role of Sankarankutty in Adoor's next film, Kodiyettam (1977), a performance for which he won the National Award for Best Actor.^[7] He was also noted for his performances in movies like Ormakkayi, Yavanika, Panchavadi Palam and Adaminte Vaariyellu. Besides Malayalam movies, he acted in two Hindi movies, Aaghat and Satah Se Uthata Aadmi.^[7] Gopi was a film director and producer as well. Gopi was paralyzed by a stroke on February 20, 1986, at the zenith of his career.^{[7] [8]}

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991.^[9]

In 1979, Gopi directed the movie Njattadi with Murali in lead role. The movie was only screened twice and the print is now lost.^[10] He directed three more movies Ulsavapittennu, Yamanam and Ente Hridhayathinte Utama. His Yamanam, about a physically handicapped person, was awarded Best Film on social issues by the National Award Jury in 1991.

On 24 January 2008, Gopi was hospitalized with chest pain.^[11] He died five days later following a cardiac arrest.^[1] His last role was in Balachandra Menon's De Ingottu Nokkiye (2008).^[12]

Author[link]

Gopi authored two books. His book Abhinayam Anubhavam (Acting, Experience), won the national award for the best book on cinema in 1994.^[6] Nataka Niyogam, his book on drama won the state award for best book on drama in 2003.^[13]

Filmography as actor[link]

Filmography as director[link]

Filmography as producer[link]

Awards[link]

International awards and honours[link]

• Special Jury Award at the Asia Pacific International Film Festival, Tokyo (1985)
• A five-film retrospective of his films was held in Paris, France by the Government of France (1985). The only other Indian actors to be awarded this honour are Smita Patil, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Amitabh Bachchan

Civilian awards[link]

• Padma Shri - 1991^[16]

[edit] National Film Awards

• Best Actor - Kodiyettam - 1977
• Best Film on Other Social Issues - Yamanam - 1991
• Best Book on Cinema - Abhinayam Anubhavam - 1995

V. Shantaram Award[link]

• Best Film Award - Padheyam - 1991 (as producer)

[edit] Kerala State Film Awards

• Best Actor - Kodiyettam - 1977
• Best Actor - Ormakkayi - 1982
• Best Actor - Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku, Eenam, Ettillam, Kattathe Kilikoodu - 1983
• Best Actor - Chidambaram - 1985

[edit] Filmfare Awards

• 1982 - Best Actor - Ormakkayi

===Other awards

• Four critics awards
• Two Gulf Malayali association awards

References[link]

External links[link]

• Bharath Gopi at the Internet Movie Database