Veteran Malayalam Actor Thilakan passes away following a cardiac arrest in the early hours on Monday (Born: 15 July 1935 Died 24 September 2012 ). Thilakan aka Surendranatha Thilakan was born 15 July 1938, is an Indian film and stage actor who has starred in over 200 Malayalam films. Thilakan is regarded as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema, known for his excellence in character roles.

His Career :
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009 for his contributions towards the arts.

Thilakan started his career in acting as a theatre artist. He ventured into full-time acting in theatre after leaving intermediate college mid-way in the year 1956. It was during his years in theatre that he honed his skills in acting.

During this period he and a few friends formed a drama troupe called the Mundakayam Nataka Samithy. He worked with Kerala People's Arts Club till 1966, followed by stints in Kalidasa Kala Kendra, Changanacherry Geetha, and P. J. Antony's troupe. He also performed in several radios plays presented by All India Radio. Thilakan completed the fiftieth year of his acting career.

Cinema

In spite of his long association with theatre, Thilakan became a household name only after his foray into Malayalam cinema. He began his career in cinema with a minor role in the film Ulkadal (1979). His first role as a lead character was as Kallu Varkey, a drunkard in Kolangal (1981). Thilakan established himself as an actor after he got his first State Award in 1981 for his role in Yavanika.

In 1988, he received the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Rithubhedam. Again in 1994, and in 1998, he won State awards for Santhanagopalam and Gamanam. He was strongly favored to get another National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the movie Perumthachan. As noted in the Rediff interview, the award was steered away from him to Amitabh Bachchan due to strong lobbying, as Amitabh announced his retirement that year.

The film Kireedam was a milestone in his career; in this film, he portrayed a helpless policeman silently watching the fate of his son, played by Mohanlal, who was made into a rowdy by society. Some of Thilakan's other notable films are Sphadikam, Moonnam Pakkam, Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal, Mookkilla Rajyathu, Chenkol, Randam Bhavam, Kaattu Kuthira, and Yavanika. He has also acted in other South Indian languages, such as Tamil.

Thilakan has portrayed a range of characters. The most popular roles have been with Mohanlal when they portrayed a father-son duo. These included Kireedam, Sphadikam, Narasimham, Evidam Swargamanu, Pavithram and Chenkol. He has also played father roles to other popular actors, including with Mammootty in Sangham, The Truth, No. 1 Snehatheeram Banglore North and Pallavur Devanarayanan, with Jayaram in Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal and Sandesam, with Dileep in Meenathil Thaalikettu, with Kunchacko Boban in Aniyathi Pravu and with Prithviraj in Sathyam. He has also played many negative roles. 

His roles of an underworld don in Random Bhavam, Karma and Kaalal Pada were memorable. He has played comical roles in films like Nadodikkattu and Pattanapravesham (as a coward underworld don), Mookkilla Rajyathu (as a breakout from a mental hospital), Kuttettan (as a womanizer) and Naaduvazhikal (as a good-for-nothing, vain person). He has played lead roles in many movies including Ekantham, Perumthachan, Santhanagopalam, Kaattukuthira, My Dear Muthachan, Mukhamudra (double role), etc.

Thilakan fell ill at the beginning of the 2000s and was hospitalized for a long time. After recovering he slowly returned to acting.

In 2007, he acted in Ekantham, for which he received a special mention from the jury. Even the film technicians’ guild, MACTA, made an exception recently and honored him, though he is not a technician.

Awards and Accolades :
Civilian Awards:

2009 - Padma Shri
National Film Awards:
1988 - Best Supporting Actor - Hrithubhedam
2007 - Special Jury Award (Actor) - Ekantham
Kerala State Film Awards:
1982 - Second Best Actor - Yavanika
1985 - Second Best Actor - Yaatra
1986 - Second Best Actor - Panchagni
1987 - Second Best Actor - Thaniyavarthanam
1988 - Second Best Actor - Mukthi, Dhwani
1989 - Special Jury Award - Various films
1990 - Best Actor - Perumthachan
1994 - Best Actor - Gamanam, Santhanagopalam
1998 - Second Best Actor - Kaattathoru Pen Poovu
Filmfare Awards:
2005 - Lifetime Achievement Award
2011- Best Supporting Actor Male (Indian Rupee)
Asianet Film Awards
2001 - Lifetime Achievement Award
Other awards
2002 - Bahadoor Award for his contributions to Malayalam cinema
2005 - Chalachithra Ratna/Lifetime Achievement Award by Kerala Film Critics Association
2008 - Annual Malayalam Movie Award (Dubai) for Lifetime Achievement
2010 - Bharath Gopi Award
2011 - Vayalar Ramavarma Chalachithra - Madhyama Awards' Chalachithra Ratna Award for Lifetime Achievement