Gopynathan Velayudhan Nair (2 November 1937 – 29 January 2008), popularly known by the stage name Bharat Gopy, was an Indian film actor, producer and director.

Bharat Gopi ( Real name Gopinathan Nair) was born in Chirayilkil, Trivandrum, Kerala, in 1937 . He won the prestigious National (Bharath) Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film Kodiyettam(his first lead role). He became famous as Bharath Gopi after winning the Bharath award. He and Sadhu Mehr are the only actors in the history of Indian Cinema to be awarded the National Best actor award in their debut in the lead role. Considered one of the greatest actors of India, Gopi was awarded Padmasri in 1991. Winner of the prestigious Asia-Pacific international award for his performance in 'Kaathathe Kilikkodu (A bird's nest in the wind') and several state and regional awards, the actor suffered a paralytic stroke in 1986, while at the peak of his career. He has also acted in two hindi movies and directed three Malayalam films.
Gopi made his first debut in 'Swayamvaram' in 1972, directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. A known amateur theater artiste and activist before his entering films, Gopi won the national award for the best actor for his portrayal of Sankarankutty in Adoor's Kodiyettam (1977)-- his second film, and the first in the lead role.
He is known for his excellent performances in almost all the films he did (Kodiyettam, Ormakkayi, Yavanika, Kallan Pavitran, Sandhya mayangum neram, Chidambaram, ..to name a few). He has also acted in two hindi movies-- Aghat (directed by Govind Nihalani) and Satah se udta admi (directed by Mani Kaul). Gopi has directed three films, one of which (Yamanam) was adjudged the best film on social issues by the national award jury of 1991. He has also won the national award for the best book on cinema for his "Abhinayam Anubhavam" (An Actor's experience). He joined the political party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recently. His recent release is "Rasathantram" (directed by Satyan Anthikad) .Gopi was a film director and a producer also. The actor was paralysed by a stroke in 1986, at the peak of his career. He was awarded the Padmasri in 1991. Recipient of several regional, national and international awards, the thespian wrote Abhinayam Anubhvam, for which he got the national award for the best book on cinema. He is considered one of the greatest film actors of India.
Veteran film actor Bharat Gopi (71) passed away at a private hospital on 29/01/08. He was undergoing treatment at the KIMS Hospital after he feels chest pain during the shooting of Balachandran Menon's film De Ingottu Nokkiye in Kayamkulam.

International awards: 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.
           National awards:
           Best actor - Kodiyettam - 1977 .
           Best film on social issues - Yamanam - 1991 .
           Best book on cinema - Abhinayam Anubhavam .
           Padma Shri -1991.
           V. Shantaram award for the producer of the Best film - Padheyam - 1991 .
  
            State awards:
            Best actor 1977- Kodiyettam .
            Best supporting actor - Kallan Pavitran - 1980 .
            Best actor - Ormakkayi - 1982 .
            Best actor - Ente Mamattukutti Ammakku, Eenam, Ettillam, Kattaththe Kilikoodu - 1983
            Best actor - Chidambaram - 1985 .

            Regional awards:
            Four film fare awards .
            Four critics awards .
            Two Gulf Malayali association awards
         
            Filmography - (List of films he acted)

            Nivedhyam (2007)
            Nasraani(2007)
            Akasha Gopuram (2006)
            Rasathanthram (2006)
            Wanted (2004)
            Sethurama Iyer CBI (2004)
            Varum Varunnu Vannu (2003)
            Elavamkodu Desam (1998)
            Ormmakalalundayirikanam (1995)
            Agni Devan (1995)
            Swaham (1994)
            Padheyam (1992)
            Irakal (1986)
            Revathikkoru Pavakkutty (1986)
            Kaimpin Poovinakkare (1985)
            Aghaat (1985)
            Chidambaram (1985)
            Kaiyum Thalayum Purathidaruthu (1985)
            Meenamasathile Sooryan (1985)
            Aarorumariyathe (1984)
            Akkare (1984)
            Appunni (1984)
            Panchavadi Palam (1984)
            Panchavadi Palam (1984)
            Sandhya Mayangum Neram (1984)
            Eettillam (1983)
            Adaminte Variyellu (1983)
            Asthram (1983)
            Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku (1983)
            Kattathe Kilikoodu (1983)
            Lekhayude Marnam: Oru Flashback (1983)
            Marmaram (1983)
            Rachana (1983)
            Alolam (1982)
            Ormakkayi (1982)
            Yavanika (1982)
            Kallan Pavithran (1981)
            Palangal (1981)
            Greshamam (1980)
            Satah Se Uthata Aadmi (1980)
            Peruvazhiyampalam (1979)
            Thampu (1978)
            Kodiyettam (1977)