S. P. Pillai (28 November 1913 – 12 June 1985) was an Indian film and stage actor, best known for his comic roles in Malayalam films.

S. P. Pillai
Born
S. Pankajakshan Pillai

(1913-11-28)28 November 1913
Died12 June 1985(1985-06-12) (aged 71)
Years active1940–1973

Biography

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S. Pankajakshan Pillai alias S. P. Pillai was born in 1913 in the temple town of Ettumanoor in Kottayam district. His father Shankara Pillai, was a police constable. Pillai lost his parents at a young age itself. He could not get basic education but obtained training in Ottan Thullal from Kalamandalam for a few years. He started his career as a supporting actor in stage plays. His first film, Appan Thamburan's Bhootharayar, did not release. His first released film was Jnanambika (1940). He shot to fame as a comedy actor after the superhit film Nalla Thanka (1951). He did notable roles in more than 300 films, including Snehaseema, Nayaru pidichapulivalu, Chemmen, Bharya, Vidarunna Mottukal. He played the role of Paananar in almost all the Vadakkan Pattu films of Udaya. He has even sung the song Vayaranu Nammalkku Daivam for the movie Thaskaraveeran, in 1957.[1] Sanchari (1981) was his last film. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his performance in Taxi Driver.[2] He died on 12 June 1985. Actress Manju Pillai is his granddaughter.

Awards

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Kerala State Film Awards:

Filmography

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As an actor

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1950s

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Year Title Role Notes
1950 Nalla Thanka
Chandrika
Sasidharan Maniyan
Chechi
1951 Jeevitha Nouka Shanku, Janu's brother
Yachakan
Vanamala
1952 Achan Mathu
Premalekha
Visappinte Vili
Aathmasanthi
1953 Genova
Velakkaran
Sheriyo Thetto
Lokaneethi
Ponkathir Pappan
1954 Sandehi
Snehaseema Paili
Balyasakhi Pankan
Avakashi Marthandan
Avan Varunnu
1955 Aniyathi S. P.
C.I.D. Pichu & Vava
Harishchandra Kalakantan
1956 Aathmaarpanam
Manthravadi Mayadasan
1957 Deva Sundari
Jailppulli Jambulingam
Thaskaraveeran Pappu Pilla
Achanum Makanum Forest Officer
Padatha Painkili Mayilan
1958 Mariakutty Naanu
Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu] Chanthukutty
Lilly
1959 Aana Valarthiya Vanampadi Idea Annan thampi

1960s

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Year Title Role Notes
1960 Poothali
Umma Vattathil Kurup
1961 Bhakta Kuchela
Arappavan Raphael Mappila
Sabarimala Ayappan
Kandam Becha Kottu Minnal Moideen
Ummini Thanka
Jnaanasundari Antony
Christmas Rathri Thoma
1962 Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi Mammutty
Palattu Koman Pankan
Snehadeepam Njaramban/Karnan
Sreekovil
Kannum Karalum
Bharya Uthuppu
1963 Snapaka Yohannan Samuel
Kadalamma Ramabhadran
Kalayum Kaminiyum
Ninamaninja Kalpadukal Bomb Kunjooju
Ammaye Kaanaan Sankunni Nair
Doctor Keshavan
Chilamboli
1964 Oral Koodi Kallanayi Kammathi
School Master Kuttan Pilla
Manavatty
Thacholi Othenan Chandu
Omanakuttan
Aadyakiranangal Avaran
Althaara
Atom Bomb Kuttan Karanavar
Anna
Karutha Kai Damu
Devaalayam
Sree Guruvayoorappan Panamaran
Ore Bhoomi Ore Raktham
1965 Pattuthoovaala Philip
Kavyamela Swami
Kaliyodam Kittu pilla
Murappennu
Mayavi Kaimani
Muthalali Paramu
Chemmeen Achankunju
Inapraavugal Kutty
Devatha
Odayil Ninnu Thomachan
Kattupookkal
Jeevithayaathra Ringmaster
Kathirunna Nikah Moideen
1966 Puthri Madhavan
Kadamattathachan
Anarkali Kasim
Priyathama
Kaattumallika
1967 Pavappettaval Pappu Ashan
Kasavuthattam Paarakkoottathil Aliyaar
Chekuthante Kotta
Chithramela
Mulkireedam
Kavalam Chundan
Mynatharuvi Kolakase
Karutha Rathrikal
Lady Doctor Thommi
Thalirukal
Khadeeja
N.G.O
Agniputhri Embranthiri
Ollathumathi
Naadan Pennu Aliyaar
Arakkillam
1968 Karutha Pournami
Adhyapika
Punnapra Vayalar Ouseph
Kodungallooramma Konkammavan
Kaliyalla Kalyanam
Hotel High Range Velu Pilla
Pengal
Kadal Peter
Thirichadi P. C. Chacko
1969 Poojapushpam
Kuruthykkalam
Jwala Pankan
Koottukudumbam
Soosi Thomachan
Chattambikkavala Ponnan
Urangatha Sundari Bhrandan
Janmabhoomi Pillai
Ballatha Pahayan Pillai
Nurse
Kumara Sambhavam Vikadan

1970s

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Year Title Role Notes
1970 Sabarimala Sree Dharmashastha
Thara Ayyappan
Nilakkatha Chalanangal
Swapnangal Chellappan
Madhuvidhu Ganesh
Dathuputhran Kunjavarachan
Abhayam Pachu Pilla
Pearl View Boss
Othenante Makan Anakkan
Ningalenne Communistakki Pappu
Nazhikakkallu Gopalan
Palunku Pathram
1971 Avalalpam Vaikippoyi
Kochaniyathi Kunju Nair
Marunnattil Oru Malayali Vittal
Agnimrigam Shankunni
C.I.D. In Jungle
Panchavan Kaadu Kannappan
Aabhijathyam Pappiashan
Lora Neeyevide Ponnappan
Kuttyedathi Govindan Nair
Puthenveedu
Sarasayya Chackochan
Bobanum Moliyum Kittu Pilla
1972 Sree Guruvayoorappan
Naadan Premam Kunjan
Vidhyarthikale Ithile Ithile
Oru Sundariyude Katha Pappu Shipayi
Postmane Kananilla Nanu Nair
Gandharavakshetram Govindan Nair
Preethi
Sathi
Prathikaram Shobha's father
Manushyabandhangal Nanu Nair
1973 Panitheeratha Veedu Chacko/Jose's father
Thenaruvi Thulasi's father
Dharmayudham Sankaran
Chenda
Nakhangal Pappunni
Periyar
Thekkan Kattu Mathai
Kaadu Sankar
Azhakulla Saleena Paappi
Aashachakram
Manushyaputhran Kunjandi
Pavangal Pennungal
Ponnapuram Kotta
Enippadikal
Masappady Mathupillai
Kaliyugam
Nirmalyam
Swargaputhri Hospital Warden
1974 Nellu Vaattuvelu Guest appearance
Youvanam Kunju Nair
Udayam Kizhakku Thanne
Thumbolarcha Panar
Thacholi Marumakan Chanthu Vayttil Thampan
Checkpost
Durga Ambu
Vandikkari
Pathiravum Pakalvelichavum
1975 Swami Ayyappan
Boy Friend
Ullasa Yaathra
Abhimaanam Vasu Pilla
1976 Pushpasharam
1977 Vidarunna Mottukal Pappan Pilla
Taxi Driver
Achaaram Ammini Osharam Omana Paulose
1978 Kaithappoo
Kadathanaattu Maakkam Paanan
1979 Swapnangal Swanthamalla

1980s

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Year Title Role Notes
1980 Paalattu Kunjikannan
1981 Sanchari Palpu's father
1983 Pallamkuzhi
Kaathirunna Naal
1984 Sabarimala Dharshanam
1985 Madhuvidhu Theerum Mumbe

As a singer

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  • Vayaranu Nammalkku Daivam as Thaskaraveeran 1957

References

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  1. ^ "SP Pillai".
  2. ^ "Manorama Online | Movies | Nostalgia |". www.manoramaonline.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2010.
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