Adoor Bhasi (1929-1990) was an Indian actor, singer, and film director primarily known for his faultless acting in comedy characters. He was an all-round entertainer with over 700 films to his credit. With a career span of over four decades, he was active until his death. Some of his well-liked performances were on Chattakari (1974), 18 April (1984), Yathra (1985), Rajavinte Makan (1986), and Sarvakalashala (1987), among others. He died in March 1990 after suffering from kidney-related disease.
Wiki/Biography
K. Bhaskaran Nair, known by the stage name Adoor Bhasi, was born on Friday, 1 March 1929 (aged 61 years; at the time of death) in Peringanand, a small village in Adoor, Kerala, India. His zodiac sign is Pisces. He comes from a family of legendary authors. Adoor Bhasi was the fourth child of E.V. Krishna Pillai and Maheshwari Amma. He started his education at the missionary school, Vadakkekottaram, in Thiruvananthapuram. After his father’s untimely death in 1938, the family shifted to Peringanad and continued his school education at the English High School of Adoor. He further studied for a Textile Chemistry diploma from the Institute of Textile Technology, Thiruvananthapuram.
Family
Adoor Bhasi belonged to the Keralite Hindu family.
Parents & Siblings
Adoor Bhasi’s father, E. V. Krishna Pillai, was a famous humorist, writer, lawyer, and member of the Travancore Legislative Assembly (MLC).
A portrait of E V Krishna Pillai, Adoor Bhasi’s Father
His mother, Maheshwari Amma (the youngest daughter of C. V. Raman Pillai), was a homemaker.
Adoor Bhasi with his mother
His siblings were K. Omana Amma, K. Ramachandran Nair (Chandraji), Rajalakshmi Amma, K. Padmanabhan Nair, K. Sankaran Nair, and K. Krishnan Nair. His eldest brother, Chandraji, was the first to enter the film industry. He was the manager of Raj Kapoor’s RK Studios and acted in a negative role in the Bollywood film Aashiq (1962). He later performed in Malayalam films like Chithram (1988).
Adoor Bhasi with his eldest brother Chandraji
His younger brother Padmanabhan Nair, or Padman was a journalist, editor, and author. The well-known books in his name are Kunchukuruppum Prahladanum, Sahodaran Bhasiyude Jeevacharitram, Nadakanthyam Bhasyam, and Bhasuram Hasyam.
Adoor Bhasi and brother Padman
Wife & Children
Adoor Bhasi was a bachelor. In the book, Adoor Bhasi Chinthayum Chiriyum, his brother Padman writes about the first and last time Adoor Bhasi went to meet a girl for marriage. It turned out that the proposed girl was the daughter of one of his classmates.
Other Relatives
Bhasi was the grandson of the legendary author and social activist C. V. Raman Pillai (1858-1922), whose works include Marthanda Varma (1891), Dharmaraja and Premamritham.
Adoor Bhasi’s grandfather, the great novelist C V Raman Pillai
Adoor Bhasi’s nephew B. Harikumar was a famous writer and actor. He has written over 35 novels among other publications, including a biography of Adoor Bhasi, titled Adoor Bhasi (2014).
Caste
Adoor Bhasi was part of the Nair community among the Kerala Hindus.
Career
Film
Actor
Though Adoor Bhasi started as an apprentice at the Lakshmi textile factory in Thiruvananthapuram after completing his diploma, it was not for long. During this time, he stayed with his maternal aunt, B Gourikutty Amma, in the famous Rosscote Bungalow built by his grandfather, C. V. Raman Pillai. He started acting in stage dramas and broadcast plays by All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram. Later, he became a manager of a press run by famous playwright T. N. Gopalakrishnan Nair. His association with the film industry starts from there. Adoor Bhasi’s first film was Thiramaala (1953), in which he played a relatively minor role. It was directed by Vimal Kumar and Written by T. N. Gopalakrishnan Nair.
His breakthrough came with the film Mudiyananya Puthran (1961) directed by Ramu Kariat. This film won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam. His first full-length comedy character was in the film Viruthan Shanku (1968), which was widely accepted by the audience.
Adoor Bhasi in the film Viruthan Shanku
Adoor Bhasi was an inevitable part of almost every film from then on. Most of his characters were comic support to the protagonists. It was not always the side characters, he played negative or villain roles in Itha Oru Manushyan (1978) and Karimpana (1980). He was the hero in the much-acclaimed Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal (1979) by John Abraham. He won the Kerala State Best Actor award for the portrayal of Cheriyachan in this film.
Adoor Bhasi as Cheriyachan in the film Cheriyachante Kroorathakal
He received appreciation for his acts as a lady in various films such as Arakkallan Mukkal Kallan (1974), Kannapanunni (1977), and Ithikkara Pakki (1980). He played double roles in the films Lankadahanam (1971), Bhadradeepam (1973), and Kotttaram Vilkanundu (1975).
Adoor Bhasi in the film Arakkallan Mukkal Kallan
Director
Adoor Bhasi’s directorial debut was Aadhya Paadam (1977) with the star cast of Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Sheela, and Jayan. He is mentioned as one of the first people to recognize the talent of legendary actor Kamal Haasan. The other two films under his direction are Acharam Ammini Osharam Omana (1977), and Reghu Vamsam (1978).
Poster of Adoor Bhasi’s first directorial film, Aadhya Paadam
Playback Singer
Adoor Bhasi sang over 25 songs in the various films he acted in and directed. Most of the songs were humorous. Some of the notable songs were Kuruvipetti… from Sthanarthi Saramma (1966), Thallu Thallu… from Abhijatyam (1971), and Velutha Vavinum Makalkkum… from Chakravakam (1974).
Controversy
Allegation of exploitation by actor KPAC Lalitha
Actor KPAC Lalitha opened up in an interview about how Adoor Bhasi was a villain in her life, years after his death. She alleges that Adoor Bhasi, using his connections at that time had removed her from prospective roles. Though she complained to the then association, called Chalachitra Parishad, she was scolded by the secretary, K. P. Ummer. She had mentioned these in detail in her autobiography, Katha Thudarum.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- In 1974, Adoor Bhasi won the Kerala State Best Actor Award for his role as an Anglo-Indian, Morris in Chattakaari (1974).
- In 1976, he won the Filmfare Best Actor South Award for the film Raagam (1975).
- In 1979, he won the Kerala State Best Actor Award for Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal (1979).
- In 1984, he won the Kerala State Second Best Actor award for the film 18 April (1984).
Death
Adoor Bhasi passed away on 29 March 1990 after battling a kidney-related disease. He had other health issues such as hypertension and diabetes, during his last days. Moreover, he was upset over his longtime friend and colleague, actor Prem Nazir’s death. His last rites with State Honours were performed at his home in Adoor.
Facts/Trivia
- Adoor Bhasi is referred to as the Hasyasamrat (King of Comedy) and Charlie Chaplin of Kerala, by his fans.
- The pairing of Actor Bahadur with Adoor Bhasi was a super hit, and they were called the Laurel and Hardy of Malayalam Cinema.
- Adoor Bhasi acted in Prem Nazir’s debut film Thyagaseema (1951). It was never released.
Adoor Bhasi’s name in the poster of the film Thyagaseema (1951)
- Adoor Bhasi contested in Municipal Council elections once but lost for a meagre 26 votes.
- He had associated with every leading actor of his time, such as Satyan, Prem Nazir, Madhu, K.P.Ummer, Jayan, Sukumaran, M. G.Soman, Mammootty, and Mohanlal.
Adoor Bhasi with his colleagues during actor Prem Nazir’s son’s marriage
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