Master Chief Petty Officer Krishnan Madhavan Nair, better known by his stage name Jayan, born as the son of Madhavan Pillai and Bharathiyamma in Kollam, was an Indian actor, naval officer, and stunt performer of the 1970s and 1980s. He starred in over 150 Malayalam films, primarily as an action star. In 2010 he was referred to as the first and most successful action hero of Malayalam cinema.
Hariharan is an Indian film director who has directed over 50 Malayalam films. His movies mainly revolve around the cultural and relational aspects of a typical Keralite society. His most notable works include Sharapancharam (1979), Panchagni (1986), Idavazhiyile Poocha Mindappoocha (1979), Amrutham Gamaya (1987), Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Sargam (1992), Parinayam (1994) and Pazhassi Raja (2009) which has won him wide critical acclaim. In 2019, he was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Mahalakshmi Menon, best known by her stagename Shobha, was an Indian actress best known for her work in Malayalam and Tamil films. At the age of 17, she won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1979 Tamil film Pasi. She also received three Kerala State Film Awards: for Best Actress (1978), Best Supporting Actress (1977) and Best Child Artist (1971); and two Filmfare Awards South for Best Actress in Kannada (1978) and Tamil (1979) films. Considered one of the finest talents to have emerged in the Indian film world, her promising career was unexpectedly cut short as she committed suicide in 1980, due to unknown reasons. Her popularity resulted in considerable public scrutiny of the events that led to her death and also various conspiracy theories. The 1983 Malayalam film Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback is supposedly based on her life and death.
Muraleedharan Pillai, popularly known as Murali was an Indian film, stage and television actor and author. He mainly appeared in Malayalam films and a few Tamil films and also many other movies. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Appa Mestry, a communist freedom fighter and professional weaver in the 2002 film Neythukaran. He was known for his powerful portrayal of character roles, lead roles and negative roles, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in Malayalam cinema.
Anjukandy Thalakkal Ummer was a Malayalam music composer from Kerala, India. He is known for composing many soft melodies for 174 Malayalam movies.
Kolilakkam (transl. Shockwave) is a 1981 Malayalam-language action thriller film, written and directed by P. N. Sundaram, and starring Jayan. The film was a box office hit. The movie was a remake of the 1965 Hindi film Waqt.
Ceylon Manohar, popular name of A. E. Manoharan also known as Surangani Manohar, was a pop singer and actor. He has played roles in Tamil films and other Sri Lankan Tamil works. Manoharan was 73 when he died in Chennai of age-related ailments.
Shakthi is a 1980 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Vijayandand produced by Raghu Kumar. The film stars Jayan, Seema, Srividya and Jagathy Sreekumar in the lead roles. The film has a musical score by K. J. Joy. Many scenes of the movie were copied from 1976 Amitabh Buchan's Hindi film Deewar and the 1979 film Kala Pathar. The climax mirror fight sequence was inspired by the 1973 Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon. The movie was on the hit chart.
Sarapancharam is a 1979 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Hariharan from a story by Malayattoor Ramakrishnan. It stars Jayan, Sheela, and Sathaar and Latha, with P. K. Abraham and Oduvil Unnikrishnan in supporting roles. Jayan played the role of the main antagonist in the film. It was also one of the first notable films of Oduvil Unnikrishnan, who played the role of a lawyer. It was a breakthrough film in Jayan's career.
Mallanum Mathevanum is a 1976 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by Kunchacko. The film stars Prem Nazir, KP Ummer, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi, Jayan and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair in the lead roles. The film has musical score by K. Raghavan and Kumarakam Rajappan.
Kaapalika is a 1973 Indian Malayalam film, directed and produced by Crossbelt Mani. The film stars Sheela, Adoor Bhasi, Jose Prakash and Nambiyathu in the lead roles. The film had musical score by R. K. Shekhar.
Thacholi Ambu is a 1978 Indian Malayalam-language historical drama film directed and produced by Navodaya Appachan under Navodaya Studio. It was the first anamorphic CinemaScope film in Malayalam. Starring Prem Nazir in the title role, Sivaji Ganesan, Ravikumar and Jayan. Made on a cost of ₹30 lakh, the film grossed ₹1 crore at the box office.
Sphodanam (transl. Explosion) is a 1981 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by P. G. Viswambharan, starring Sukumaran, M. G. Soman, Mammootty, Ravikumar and Seema. The role of Sukumaran was initially intended for Jayan. However, he died before production began.
Aadhya Paadam is a 1977 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Adoor Bhasi. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Sheela, Sridevi and Jayan. The film has musical score by A. T. Ummer. The film was a remake of Telugu film Evariki Vare Yamuna Theere (1974).
Aasheervaadam is a 1977 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by I. V. Sasi and produced by Thayyil Kunjikandan. The film was written by Alleppey Sheriff. The film stars Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Sheela, K. P. Ummer and Bahadoor. The film has musical score by M. K. Arjunan.
Rajaankanam is a 1976 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Jeassy and produced by Chithrarekha. The film stars Sheela, Vincent, Jayan and K. P. Ummer in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. K. Arjunan.
Thadavara is a 1981 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. Chandrakumar and produced by Augustine Prakash. The film stars Jayan, K. P. Ummer, M. N. Nambiar and Seema in the lead roles. The film has musical score by A. T. Ummer.
Maamaankam is a 1979 Indian Malayalam-language historical drama film directed and produced by Navodaya Appachan, made under Navodaya Studio. It is based on the medieval Mamankam festival held every 12 years at the banks of river Bharathappuzha in Tirunavaya, Southern India. Written by N. Govindankutty, the film stars Prem Nazir, Jayan, Jose Prakash and Alummoodan in the lead roles. The film has musical score by K. Raghavan.
Ithaa Oru Manushyan is a 1978 Indian Malayalam film, directed by I. V. Sasi. The film stars Madhu, KP Ummer, Jayan, Sheela and Jayabharathi in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. S. Viswanathan. The film was a remake of the Hindi film Amanush.
Angakkuri is a 1979 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Vijayanand and produced by C. V. Hariharan. The film stars Jayan, Jayabharathi, Sukumaran and Seema/Shanthamma. The score was composed by A. T. Ummer. The movie is a remake of the 1979 Kannada movie Sneha Sedu.
