‘Thilakan' life story: Saved by Nehru, clashed with stars, lost National Award to Amitabh
was a powerhouse of talent, celebrated for his intense performances and fearless integrity within the film industry. But did you know his life took a remarkable turn during his army days, where Prime Minister
himself intervened to save him from a potential leg amputation? This extraordinary incident set the stage for a career marked by both unparalleled acting prowess and controversial clashes with leading stars, even leading to him reportedly losing a National Award to
due to alleged lobbying.
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Delve into the incredible life story of a true cinematic icon.
About Thilakan's life story
Veteran Malayalam actor Thilakan who was born in the village of Ayiroor near Thiruvalla, Kerala, had a life filled with dramatic turns, even before he entered cinema. During his college days at SN College in Kollam, he was deeply involved in theatre and acted in classic plays like Julius Caesar.
Before entering into the film industry, Thilakan had a brief stint in the
.
However, during his service, he suffered from a serious illness, which led the camp doctors to consider amputating his leg. In a rare and remarkable incident, Thilakan got the chance to speak to then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was visiting the camp. When Thilakan shared his situation, Nehru immediately issued orders that no amputation should be carried out without the consent of the soldier. This decision saved Thilakan's leg and, in many ways, his acting career.
He returned home and went back to what he loved the most and that was theatre.
Once back in Kerala, Thilakan resumed his work in drama troupes, joining famous groups like KPAC and Kalidasa and even co-founding his own drama company called Mundakayam Nataka Samithy. Thilakan's powerful acting caught the attention of both filmmakers and audiences, and he gave outstanding performances in many critically acclaimed movies.
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And despite his talent, Thilakan often got sidelined in the Malayalam film industry's power structures. He was vocal against the dominance of superstar culture, particularly when it came to big names like
and
and he used to believe in talent over popularity and wasn't afraid to speak out when he felt sidelined due to industry politics. These confrontations often led to him being unofficially banned or avoided by some production houses, but he remained respected by fans and many within the artistic community.
Thilakan's most controversial moment
One of the most controversial moments in his career was related to the National Film Awards. In 1991, his performance in 'Perumthachan' was widely expected to win him the National Award for Best Actor. However, the award was given to Amitabh Bachchan for 'Agneepath'. In a later interview in 2008, Thilakan claimed that he lost the award due to political lobbying by a senior Congress leader who supported Amitabh Bachchan, as the actor was planning to enter politics with the party and this statement added fuel to discussions about the influence of politics on film awards in India.
Thilakan left behind a strong legacy as one of the finest actors in
and he was also known for his fearless nature in speaking up against injustice.
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