T. P. Madhavan

Madhavan was born on 7 November 1935 in Trivandrum, Kingdom of Travancore, British India, as the eldest son of Dr. N. P. Pillai and Saraswathi. He had a brother, Narayanan, and a sister, Radhamani. His father served as the dean of the University of Kerala. Madhavan was the grandson of literary scholar P. K. Narayana Pillai and nephew of dramatist T. N. Gopinathan Nair. He completed his post-graduation in sociology at Agra University.

Madhavan briefly joined the Indian Army but left after six months due to a hand injury. He then began working as a journalist for The Indian Express in Bombay, earning a salary of Rs.175 per month. He later moved to Bangalore, where he joined an advertising agency with a higher salary of Rs.400. Eventually, he relocated to Kolkata, which paved the way for his entry into the film industry.Madhavan made his acting debut at age 40. Initially recognized for playing villainous roles, he later transitioned to comedic parts and eventually to character roles. He was introduced to cinema while working in Kolkata, where he became friends with actor-director Madhu. At the time, Madhu was searching for an actress for his upcoming Malayalam directorial Priya (1970), and Madhavan assisted him in finding one. He later helped Madhu again during the shooting of Kaamam Krodham Moham (1975) and Akkaldaama (1975) in Bangalore. Madhavan made his film debut with small roles in these films. From then on, he began appearing in brief roles in Malayalam films. His first significant role came in Kalika (1980), directed by Balachandra Menon, where he portrayed a handicapped man.

The 1980s and 1990s marked Madhavan's most prolific period in Malayalam cinema. His other notable films include Kalikkalam, Nadodikkattu, Vietnam Colony, Sandesham, Lelam, Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu, Narasimham, Pappayude Swantham Appoos, Pulival Kalyanam, Ananthabhadram. He has also acted in Malayalam television serials. Over the course of his career, he has acted in more than 600 films. He last appeared in the film Pretham Undu Sookshikkuka (2017).