Bharath Gopi

V. Gopinathan Nair (1937-2008), more popularly known as Bharath Gopi, was an Indian film actor, film director and producer. He was considered as one of the greatest film actors from India and had won many awards, including the National Film Awards for Best Actor for his role as Sankarankutty in Kodiyettam (1977). As a filmmaker, he was known for Ulsavapittennu (1989). And he produced Bharathan's Padheyam (1993).

Career

Born on November 8, 1937, in Chirayankil which was in the princely state of Travancore; now the present state of Kerala, India, he began his acting career as a theatre actor. He became interested in cinema through the Chitralekha Film Society, founded by Adoor Gopalakrishnan.

He made his movie debut in Adoor's Swayamvaram in 1972. He got the lead role in Adoor's next film, Kodiyettam (1977), a performance for which he won the National Award for Best Actor. He was also noted for his performances in movies like Ormakkayi, Yavanika, Panchavadi Palam and Aadaminte Vaariyell.

Besides Malayalam movies, he has also acted in two Hindi movies, Aghat and Satah Se Udta Aadmi. Gopi was a film director and producer as well. Gopi was paralyzed by a stroke in 1986, at the peak of his career. His Yamanam, about a physically handicapped person, was awarded Best Film on Social Issues by the National Award Jury in 1991.

He was an active member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) until his death. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991. The recipient of several regional, national and international awards, he also wrote "Abhinayam Anubhvam", for which he got the National Award for the best book on cinema.

On January 24, 2008, Gopi was hospitalized as he was complaining of chest pain. He died five days later, following a cardiac arrest. His last movie was K.P. Kumaran's Akasha Gopuram, starring Mohanlal, which released in 2008.