M.G.SOMAN , MALAYALAM ACTOR DIED 1997 DECEMBER 12

M.G.SOMAN , MALAYALAM ACTOR 

DIED 1997 DECEMBER 12

M. G. Soman (മലയാളം: എം.ജി. സോമൻ) (OCTOBER 28,1941–DECEMBER 12,1997)[3] was an Indian actor who appeared in Malayalam films. Soman's last film was Lelam in 1997. He has done roles in Tamil films Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974), Naalai Namadhe (1975), Kumaara Vijayam (1976) and Airport (1993).

He is considered as one of the superstar trio of Malayalam cinema during the late 1970s and earlier 1980s along with Sukumaran and Jayan.

[4]Biography[edit source]

He was born as Somashekharan Nair to, K.N. Govinda Panicker and P.K. Bhavaniyamma, in Tiruvalla, Travancore on 28 October 1941.[4] He had his primary education from Balikamadom H. S. S., Thiruvalla, St Thomas HSS Thirumoolapuram. While studying at seventh grade he started a drama troupe with his friend and performed drama Manaltharikal Garjikkunnu.[5] He did his preuniversity degree at St. Berchmans College, Changanassery. Later he joined Indian Air Force. Soon after retiring from the Indian Air Force, Soman joined Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair's drama troupe Jayasree and then to moved to the film industry. He worked at Kerala Arts Theaters and KPAC. Ramarajyam of Kerala Arts theaters opened him a way to movie industry. His first film was Gayatri directed by P. N. Menon in 1973. He acted in the role of a hero from 1976 to 1983 and later played the roles of villains, comedians and supporting roles. In 1977, his greatest film was released under the direction of I. V. Sasi – Itha Ivide Vare.[6] He soon rose to become the busiest actor in the industry. In 1978, Soman had acted in 42 films as hero, which was till today kept as a record. After 1984, he had shifted from heroic roles to character roles. In 1997, Lelam, directed by Joshiy, was his last film and his performance as Aanakkattil Eappachan was greatly appreciated and received critical acclaim. He died on 12 December 1997 due to jaundice. He was 56.[7] He produced a Malayalam movie titled as BHOOMIKA in 1991 which was directed by I.V.Sasi and enacted by Jayaram, Suresh Gopi, Mukesh, Urvashi etc.

Family[edit source]

He is married to Sujatha.[8] They have a son Saji Soman and a daughter Sindhu. His son Saji also acted in a few movies.[9



MG Soman had always been that, right from his very first movie Gayatri (1973), written by Malayattoor Ramakrishnan for PN Menon. His irreverence remained only for the characters that he brought alive onscreen, in real life he displayed those exceptional qualities that one would come to expect of an officer of the Indian Airforce – self-confident, assertive yet with a surprising sense of empathy and a taste for simple living. Born 28th October, 1941, the only son of Mannadiparambil Govinda Panicker and Bhavani Amma from Thiruvalla, Soman always had a liking for theatre even from his college days. I remember reading about him writing and staging a play called Mantharikal Garjjikkunnu even before he left to join the Indian Airforce right after his pre-University studies. He was hugely popular in the services for his brilliant one act plays and short skits, in close to a decade he served in the Services, a story that has delightful parallels with the service days of another of our popular onscreen thespians, GK Pillai. Having left Air Force in 1970, back home, he actively plunged into the vibrant theatre culture of the times, associating with amateur and professional productions,chief amongst the former being the Kollam Amateur group, giving his best to every single role that came his way.

His first recognition as a professional actor came in the form of the Best Actor Award for “Crime – 302”, which was soon followed by the Vikraman Nair Trophy for the Best Actor in “Maram”. He had by now become a highly prized and sought-after actor in Kerala’s professional theatre circuit. Chief among them were Jai Sree theatres ( owned and headed by Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair ) and Kerala Arts Theatres ( owned by Kakkanatt Bhaskaran Pillai, lyricist AP Gopalan and Prof MR Rajashekharan ) based out of Kayankulam which had KPAC Sulochana as its star attraction, after she parted ways with KPAC. It was the latter’s second production “Ramarajyam” that proved to be the turning point for MG Soman who had started working with Kerala Arts theatres after two of their main cast disappeared overnight over a standing dispute on an unreasonable raise of pay. During one of its shows at Karthika Thirunal theatre at Thiruvananthapuram, Malayattoor Ramakrishnan and Sridhar Ilayidom, who were in the audience were floored by his performance, and  decided on this young firebrand on stage, who played a trade-union leader as a part of their cast for their new movie project ! And that new project was Gayatri, which went on to win the National Award for the  Best Feature Film in Malayalam for 1973. It was the very same year Nirmalayam was honored with the Best Feature Film Award and PJ Antony got his Bharat recognition. Gayatri also won KJ Yesudas the National Award for best Playback Singer ( Male ). MG Soman played Rajamani, the angsty, rebellious son of Sahsranama Iyer, a puritanical, orthodox Brahmin priest who was all that his son wasn’t.
Most of the roles that came his way for the next two years were all supporting roles, but everyone of them had the indelible stamp of  this unique onscreen personality who swept you away with a deft mix of voice modulation , body language natural emoting. In almost all the instances, he managed to rise above the “supportive” nature of his role and delivered performances that at times even overshadowed the ones in leading roles. He was quite comfortable in the niche he was in, sailing on with his unflappable self-confidence and dedication, natural qualities that seemed to have been embellished through his tenure as a gentleman officer in the Armed Services. Though he had to endure another 5 years before he was offered a leading role ( KG Rajashekharan‘s Velluvili /1978 ), it was IV Sasi‘s Itha Ivide Vare that was released in 1977 that became his first movie in a leading role. Scripted by P Padmarajan, it was a revenge the kind of which one had rarely seen on the Malayalam screen.

But these early years were quite fulfilling as an actor, with an envious body of work across a range of characters created by the best directors, both populist and alternative, winning the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor in 1975 for his roles in Swapnadanam ( KG George’s Debut )  and Chuvanna Sandhyakal ( KS Sethumadhavan ) ! He also bagged the Best Actor Award by the State for his performances in Thanal (Rajeev Nath) and Pallavi ( N Sankaran Nair ) in 1976. I personally feel it  was Itha Ivide Varey that actually propelled him into the big league, making him one of the most prolific actors of his generation for the next two decades.
In three decades, till his last film Lelam (197), MG Soman, along with a prolific, steady rate of output that would amaze any professional in the business also ensured that he got to work with the best craftsman in Malayalam cinema, some roles so miniscule that you would wonder how he agreed to, in the first place, and every time surprised us a wee bit more, displaying a facet of his onscreen unknown to us.Over and above his brilliant award-winning performances, my personal favorites include Chattakkari (1974), Guruvayoor Kesavan (1977), Avalude Raavukal (1978), Nakshathrangale Kaaval  (1978), Eetta (1978), Beedi Kunjamma (1982), Mahabali (1983), Poochaykkoru Mookkuthi (1984), Sukhamo Devi (1986), Panchagni (1986), Thalavattom (1986), Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivaraathrikal (1987), Rithubhedom (1987), Vellaanakalude Naadu (1988), No 20 Madras Mail ( 1990 ), Njaan Gandharvan ( 1991),  Advaitham (1992), Pakshe (1994), Hitler ( 1996 ) and  Lelam ( 1997 ), when one looks back at his 360-odd movies.


There is also something else about his roles that make it quite a difficult exercise in finding generalisations in the “same-old” ones that came his way, especially during the final years, each one a repetition of a previous character. But he deftly maneouvred around everyone of them, making each one remarkably different than the one that we remembered of him, realising that it took a different tangent when compared to a similar role that had come around earlier on. It could only be termed ironic or karmic, that his final role onscreen, was in a way, the summary of his life onscreen and off screen, as one of the most enduring and outspoken performers in Malayalam cinema.

M G Soman was a South-Indian actor. He acted in Malayalam films. His actual name is Somashekharan Nair. He was born in Tiruvalla, Kerela on 28 October 1941. At a very tender age, he started his drama club with his friends and performed, Manaltharikal Garjikkunnu. He was born to K.N. Govinda Panicker and mother P.K. Bhavaniyamma. He worked in the Indian Air Force.

After retirement from the army, he joined Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair's Jayasree drama troupe. Later on, he moved to the South- Indian films. His first film in which he worked was Gayatri, directed by P N Menon in 1973. He had been a versatile actor. He did roles like of comedian, hero, villain and also some supporting roles. He was the busiest actor in the film industry at that time.

He had done very important roles in Naalai Namadhe, Airport and Kumaara Vijayam. He won the best actor award for his movie Thanal, Pallavi (1976). He was one of the superstar trios along in late 70's with Sukumaran and Jayan. He acted in 42 movies as a lead role. He also won the Second Best Actor award in 1975 for Swapnadanam and Chuvanna Sandhyakal.


These both awards were Kerela State Awards. His movie Lelum (1997), directed by Joshiy, was sadly his last movie as he died on 12th December 1997 due to jaundice. He was only 56. He got married to Sujatha and had a son Saji who has also worked in the film industry and a beautiful daughter Sindhu.




Filmography[edit source]
Kattupookkal (1965)
Mulkkireedam (1967)
Kochaniyathi (1971)
Mazhakkaru (1973) .... Gopi
Maadhavikutty (1973)
Gayathry (1973) ..... Rajamany
Chukku (1973)
Jeevikan Marannu Poya Sthree (1974)
Pancha Thanthram (1974) ..... Prince in the dance drama
Chattakari (1974) ..... Richard
Rajahamsam (1974)
Manyasree Viswamithran (1974) ....Ramesh
Utsavam (1975) .... Bhargavan
Picnic (1975) ..... Chudala Muthu
Chattambikkalyaani (1975)...Kochu Thampuran
Anubhavam (1976)
Ayalkkari (1976).... Suku
Sindooram (1976)
Rajankanam (1976)
Kayamkulam Kochunniyude Makan (1976)
Amrithavahini (1976) .... Sudhakaran
Madhuram Thirumaduram (1976)
Agnipushpam (1976)
Swapnadanam (1976) ....Mohan
Guruvayoor Kesavan (1977)
Innale Innu (1977)
Oonjaal (1977) .... Rajan
Shankupushppam (1977).... Gopi
Abhinivesham(1977).... Venu
Muttathe Mulla(1977).... Babu
Randu Lokam (1977) ..... Balan
Ormakal Marikkumo (1977) .... Aravindan
Itha Ivide Vare (1977)..... Vishwanadan
Mannu (1978)
Aval Vishwasthayayirunnu (1978).... James
Aniyara (1978)
Rathinirvedam (1978) .... Krishnan Nair
Mattoru Karnan (1978)
Avalude Ravukal (1978)
Padmatheertham (1978)... Karunan
Lisa (1978)
Kalpavriksham (1978) .... Surendran
Nivedyam (1978)... Dr.Gopakumar
Nakshatrangale Kaval (1978)
Iniyum Puzhayozukum (1978).... Prabhakaran
Eetta (1978) .... Gopalan
Kaathirunna Nimisham (1978) .... Gopi
Avalkku Marannamilla (1978)
Mukuvane Snehicha Bhootam (1978).... Rajan
Maattoli (1978)
Velluvili (1978) ..... Soman
Thanal (1978)
Arum Anyaralla (1978).... Prabhakaran
Saayoojyam (1979) .... Balan
Idavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha (1979) .... Bhagyanath
Itha Oru Theeram (1979) .... Gopi
Vellayani Paramu (1979).... Ithikkara Pakki
Chuvanna Chirakukal (1979)
Rakthamillatha Manushyan (1979).... Shivan
Manasa Vacha Karmana (1979)
Prabhatha Sandhya(1979)..... Gopi
Ezham Kadalinakkare (1979) .... Soman
Jeevitam Oru Gaanam (1979).... Johny
Ivide Kattinu Sugandam (1979) ....Gopi
Neeyo Njaano (1979) ....Damu
Chandra Bimbam (1980) ..
Kadalkattu (1980)
Muthuchippikal (1980) .... Sasi
Aniyatha Valakkal (1980) .... Balan
Prakadanam (1980) .... Jose
Pralayam(1980)..... Shivan Kutti
Aagamanam (1980) .... Venu
Raagam Thaanam Pallavi (1980)....Jayachandran
Vayal (1981) ..... Govindankutty
Agni Yudham (1981)
Sphodanam (1981) .... Surendran
Pathirasooryan (1981).... Stephen
Kodumudikal (1981).... Bava
Kadathu (1981) ..... Ravi
Thaaraavu (1981) .... Narayanankutty
Swarangal Swapnagal (1981) ....Prabhakaran
Kolilakkam (1981) .... Kumar
Kathayariyathe (1981) .... Vishwanatha Menon
Raktham (1981) .... Venu
Itha Oru Dhikkari(1981)....Raju
Ethiralikkal (1982) .... Antony
Beedikunjamma(1982).... Madhavan
Oru Vilipadakale(1982)...... Major Unnikrishnan
Raktha Sakshi (1982)
Thuranna Jail (1982) ... Rajan
Karthavyam (1982) .... Sreekumar
Sooryan(1982)..... Venu
Sree Ayappanum Vavarum(1982)...Raja Rajasekhara
Koritharicha Naal (1982) ...... Vijayan
Aarambham (1982) ....Basheer
Pinnilavu (1983) .... Gopi
Rathilayam(1983).... Soman
Mahabali (1983) .... Naradan
Aa Rathri (1983) .... All Kerala Abdu
Attakkalasam (1983) .... Vijayan
Ee Yugam(1983)...
Aadyathe Anuraagam(1983)...Jayan
Kaathirunna Divasam(1983)....Ravi
Sandhya vandanam(1983)....Sasi
Aana (1983) ....Manth Raju
Thavalam (1983)...Balan
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi (1984) .... Hari
Koottinilamkili (1984).... Balachandran
Chakkarayumma(1984)
Kodathy(1984) ....Venu
Thacholi Thankappan(1984) ..... Khader
Nishedi(1984) ..... Rajasekharan
Minimol Vathikkaanil (1984) .... Doctor
Nilavinte nattil (1984)
Kadamattathachan (1984)....Pulimoottil Kariya
Krishna Guruvayoorappa(1984).... Villumangalam Swami
Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla (1984) .... Panchayath President
Boeing Boeing (1985) ..... Lambodharan Pillai
Vasantha Sena (1985) .... Sidhartha Menon
Aanakkorumma (1985) ....Police officer
Uyarum Njan Nadaake (1985)
Premalekhanam (1985) .... Kesavan Nair
Pathamudayam (1985) .... B. G. Menon
Mulamoottil Adima (1985) .... Moiddhin (Special Appearance)
Koodum Thedi (1985) .... Menon
Njaan Piranna Naattil (1985) .... Gopinath
Adhyayam Onnu Muthal (1985) .... Narayanan
Aa Neram Alppa Dooram (1985) .... Sudhakaran
Thalavattam (1986) .... Dr. Raviandran
Sayam Sandhya (1986)
Panchagni (1986) .... Mohandas
Kunjattakilikal (1986) .... Vishwanatha Menon
Sunil Vayassu 20 (1986) .... Somashekharan
Sughamodevi (1986) .... Dr. Ambikadmajan Nair
Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam (1986) .... Rajendran's Uncle
Iniyum Kurukshethram (1986) .... Jayamohan
Adukkan Entheluppam (1986) .... Williams
Nandi Veendum Varika (1986) .... Ananthan Nair
Veendum (1986) .... Alex
Ambadi Thannilorunni(1986).... M G Menon
Ithramathram (1986) .... Colonel Rajasekharan
Ivide Ellavarkkum Sukham (1987) ..... Shekhara Varma
Vazhiyorakazhchakal (1987) ..... Ravi
Vrutham (1987) .... Charlie
Vilambaram (1987) .... Balagopalan
Thoovanathumbikal (1987) .... Moni Joseph
January Oru Orma (1987) .... Menon
Jaalakam (1987) ..... Appu's Father
Cheppu (1987) .... Principal
Kadhakku Pinnil (1987) .....Palod
Rithubetham (1987) .... Receiver
Nadodikattu (1987) ..... Himself
Idanaazhiyil Oru Kaalocha (1987) .... Prem Sankar
Yagagni(1987)... Nambeesan
Manivathoorile Aayiram Shivarathrikal (1987) .... John Samuel
Mangalya Charthu (1987)....Thomas
1921 (1988)
Chithram (1988)....Jail Superintendent
Aaryan (1988)
Manu Uncle (1988) ...DySP
Janmandharam (1988) .... Panikkar
Daisy (1988) .... Balakrishna Menon
Aparan (1988)
Onninu Purake Mattonnu (1988) .... Reghu
Abkari (1988) ..... Kunjappan
Mukthi (1988) ..... Hameed
Moonnam Pakkam (1988)
Oru Muthassikadha (1988)..... Mayinkutty
Vellanakalude Naadu (1988) ..... Prabhakaran
Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu (1988) ..... C.P. Menon
Varnam (1988) ... Manu's Brother
Puthiya Karukkal (1988) .... Udaya Varma
Douthyam (1989) ...... Col. Madhavan Nair
Vandanam (1989)
Avanikunnile Kinnari Pookkal (1989).... Jayamohan
Kali karyamaai/ Crime Branch(1989).... Pushkaran
Jaithra Yathra (1989) ..... V P Menon
No.20 Madras Mail (1990) ..... R.K. Nair
Varthamanakalam (1990).... Ravunni Mashu
Aye Auto (1990) ..... Police Commissioner
Akkare Akkare Akkare(1990) ..... Police Commissioner
Randam Varavu (1990) ..... R. Sreedharan Nair
Rajavazhcha (1990) ..... Kuttan Nair
Mukham (1990) ..... Home Minister
His Highness Abdullah (1990) ...... Kesava Pillai
Arhatha (1990) ..... Chandrashekharan Nair
Appu (1990) ..... Police Officer
Midhya (1990) ...... Appunni
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu (1990) ..... Kuwait Mani
Adwaitham (1991) ...... Shekharan
Inspector Balram (1991) ...... Sahadevan
Neelagiri (1991) ..... Shekhara Menon
Ulladakkam (1991) ..... Mathachan
Njan Gandharvan (1991) ..... Gopalakrishnan Nair
Ente Sooryaputhrikku (1991) ...... Vinod Shankar
Bhoomika (1991) ..... Raghavan Nair
Mahassar (1991) ..... Adv Venugopal
Thalasthanam (1992)
Aardram (1992) .... Jail Warden
Aparatha (1992) ..... Pilla
Mahanagaram (1992) ..... Kumaran
Kabooliwala (1993) ..... Munna's Father
Kabooliwala (1993) ..... Munna's Father
Arthana (1993) ....
Commissioner (1994) ..... Balachandran Nair
Pakshe (1994)
Gentleman Security (1994) .... Unnithan
Chukkan (1994) .... Parol Padmanabhan
Rajakeeyam(1995)....Bharatha Varman
Nirnayam (1995) ..... Dr. David Kurishinkal
Kaatttile Thadi Thevarude Ana (1995) ..... Chief Minister
The King (1995) ..... Alexander
Sundarimare Sookshikkuka(1995) ..... Raveendran
Indraprastham (1996) ..... K.N. Nair
Rajaputhran (1996) .... Veni's father
Hitler (1996) ..... Professor
Sugavaasam(1996)....Ganapathi Iyyer
Oru Yathramozhi (1997)
Chandralekha (1997) ..... Doctor
Varnapakittu (1997) .... Kuruvilla
Lelam (1997)..... Aanakkaattil Eappachan
TV[edit source]
Kuthirakal (Doordarshan)
Sahanam (Doordarshan)

Soman's first film was Gayathri.