Madhavan Nair, commonly known by his stage name Madhu, is an Indian actor, director, producer, and former film studio owner, who works in Malayalam cinema.
Madhu has so far acted in more than 400 movies including Malayalam, Hindi and Tamil languages. Madhu made his directoral debut in 1970 through the movie Priya, based on the novel ‘Thevadissi’ written by C. Radhakrishnan. Madhu directed eleven more movies including hit films like Sindooracheppu, Manyasree Viswamithran, Neela Kannukal, Akkaldaama, Kamam Krodham Moham, Theekkanal, Dheerasameere Yamuna Theere, Aaraadhana, Oru Yuga Sandhya and Udayam Padinjaru. He was the producer of most of these films. He also produced movies like Kaithappoo, Asthamayam, Shudhikalasham, Prabhatha Sandhya, Vaiki Vanna Vasantham, Archana Teacher, Grihalakshmi, Njan Ekananu, Rathilayam and Mini. He also produced and directed a movie in English Sunrise in the West, which was entirely shot in the United States.
As actor
Madhu has acted in nearly 400 films in various languages in the span of 60 years.
Malayalam films 1960s Year Title Role Notes 1963 Ninamaninja Kalpadukal Stephen Moodupadam Kochukunju Ammaye Kaanaan Balagopal 1964 Thacholi Othenan Payyambilly Chandu Kutty Kuppayam Siddique Bhargavi Nilayam Writer Manavatti Babu Aadyakiranangal Pappachan 1965 Sarpakadu Dr.Balan Jeevitha Yaathra Rajan Pattuthoovaala George Subaida Ahmed Kaliyodam Dr.Venu Kalyana Photo Sub Inspector John Ammu Bhasi Murapennu Keshavan Kutty Thommante Makkal Kunjachan Mayavi Madhu Kattuppokkal Johny Chemmeen Pareekutty Puthri Babu Murappennu Keshavankutty 1966 Archana Rajagopalan Manikyakottaram Venu Karuna Union leader Thilothama Usman 1967 Nagareme Nandi Raghavan Ramanan Madhanan Ashwamedam Sadanandan Lady Doctor Johny Udhyogastha Rajasekharan Karutha Rathrikal Dr.Shanthan Aval Joy Khadeeja Dr.Salim Anweshichu Kandethiyilla Antony Chekuthante Kotta Bhaskaran Ollathumathi Babu 1968 Kadal Antony Viplavakarikal Menon/Raghavan Nair Thulabharam Babu Karutha Pournami Balu Manaswini Haridas Vazhi Pizhacha Santhathi Unni Ragini Ravi Adhyapika Chacko Sir 1969 Veettu Mrugam Vijayan Virunnukari Sethu Velliyazhcha Rajan Nadhi Sunny Kallichellamma Chandrappan Vilakuranja Manushyan Rajan Aalmaram Gopi Janmabhoomi Johny Kuruthykkalam Reghu
1970s Year Title Role Notes 1970 Olavum Theeravum Baputty Swapnangal Dr. Balakrishnan Abhayam Prof. Balakrishnan Priya Gopan Thurakkatha Vathil Vaasu Bheekara Nimishangal Venugopal Palunkupaathram Ravi Sthree Ravi Ambalapravu Rajendran Nilakkatha Chalanangal Sam Kakkathamburatti Rajappan 1971 Vithukal Unnikrishnan Kochaniyathi Raju Ummachu Maayan Aabhijathyam Madhavan Bobanum Moliyum Balan Vilakkyu Vaangiya Veena Venu Sarasayya Dr. Hareendranath Line Bus Gopi Sindooracheppu Keshavan Karakanakadal Kariya Moonnupookkal Venugopal Jalakanyaka Madhavan Mappusakshi Krishnankutty Inqulab Zindabbad Sridharan Prathisandhi Siddique 1972 Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku Gandharavakshetram Satheeshan Naadan Premam Ikkoran Vidhyarthikale Ithile Ithile Panimudakku Keshavan Chembarathi Balachandran Puthrakameshti Keshavan Nair/ Karunakaran IPS Manushya Bandhangal Madhavankutty Ini Oru Janmam Tharu Reghu Sathi Govindan Nair Aaradi Manninte Janmi Prasad Theertha Yathra Rajagopal Preethi Krishnadas Pulliman Devayyan Azhimukham Hamsa Lakshyam Sashi Swayamvaram Vishwanathan Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam 1973 Divyadharsanam Venu Udayam Rajasekharan Kaadu Rajendran Thekkankattu Babu Police Ariyaruthe James Madhavikutty Bhakarankutty Yamini Gopalakrishnan Thiruvabharanam Raghavan Mazhakaaru Prabhakaran Manushyaputhran Karthikeyan Swargaputhri Babu Swapnam Vishwam Nakhangal Shankarankutty Eanippadikal Keshavapilla Chenda Appu Soundaryapooja Rajan Chukku Chackochen 1974 Youvanam Mohan Bhoomidevi Pushpiniyayi Jagadeesh Manyasree Viswamithran Marthandan Thampi Oru Pidi Ari Sreekantan Nair Neelakannukal Kunjuraman 1975 Kamam Krodham Moham Vincent Akkaldaama Fernandez Sindhu Rajendran Swarna Malsyam Raghavan Swami Ayyappan Guest Role Sammanam Reghu Omanakkunju Ramu 1976 Hridayam Oru Kshethram Dr. Ramesh Theekkanal Vinod Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam Yakshagaanam Ravi Amma Venugopalan Thampi Themmadi Velappan Raghavan Kanyaadaanam Jagadeesh Samasya Shankara Warrier Manasaveena Ravi Muthu Thankappan 1977 Poojakkedukkatha Pookkal Balachandran Neethipeedam Peter/Shankaran Dheerasameere Yamuna Theere Mohan/younger brother Santha Oru Devatha Rajan Itha Ivide Vare Paili Yudhakaandam Prasad Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam Aparaadhi Jayachandran Rowdy Rajamma Inspector Shankar Vidarunna Mottukal Headmaster Sathyasheelan Aaraadhana Anand Akale Aakaasham Raveendran Nurayum Pathayum Krishnankutty Saritha Williams Kaavilamma Dr. Balachandran Aa Nimisham Prabhakaran 1978 Urakkam Varaatha Raathrikal Jayan Eeta Varuthunny Itha Oru Manushyan Madhusoothanan Thampi Kanyaka Sreekumar Agni Sulaiman Njan Njan Mathram Chandran Pilla Beena Sreenivas Jalatharangam Chandran Vadakakku Oru Hridayam Sadasivan Pilla Snehikkan Samayamilla Rajan Ee Manohara Theeram Sukumarankutty Menon Rowdy Ramu Ramu Asthamayam Dr. Balakrishnan Kaithappoo Babu Society Lady Sridharan Snehathinte Mukhangal Devadas Randu Penkuttikal Dr. Madhavan Nair Seemanthini Sam Mathew Naalumanippookkal Joy Muthalali Uthrada Rathri Advocate Ithaanente Vazhi Dr. Vijayan/Bhargavan Avar Jeevikkunnu Kumar Soundaryam 1979 Venalil Oru Mazha Vasu Oru Raagam Pala Thaalam Vinod Enikku Njan Swantham Vaasu Manushyan Rajan Kayalum Kayarum Chellappan Prabhaathasandhya Balakrishnan Pratheeksha R.K.Nair Sudhikalasam Vijaya Kumar Jeevitham Oru Gaanam Mathuktty Kalliyankattu Neeli Hemachandran Hridhayathinte Nirangal Balu Iniyethra Sandhyakal Thomas Anubhavangale Nanni Madhavankutty Simhaasanam Gopalan/Ramu Edavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha Dr. Raja Pathivritha Babu Agniparvatham Sub Inspector Vishwanathan Kathirmandapam Charlie Pushyaraagam Doctor Krishnapparunthu Advocate
1980s Year Title Role Notes 1980 Meen Kuriakose Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Deepam Varma Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Rajaneegandhi Gopinath Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Muthuchippikal Gopi Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Swandam Enna Padam Krishnakumar Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Theekadal Dr. Divakaran Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Akalangalil Abhayam Judge Raghuraman Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Ambalavilakku Gopi Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Ithile Vannavar Rajasekharan/Inspector Rajan Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Vaiki Vanna Vasantham Varmaji Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award 1981 Orikkal Koodi Chandran Aakkramanam Varghese Arikkari Ammu Appukuttan Sambhavam Mathai Kolilakkam Prabhakaran Grihalakshmi Krishnan Menon, Venu Thaaraavu Chennan Raktham Vishwam Pinneyum Pookkunna Kaadu Aravindan Danda Gopuram Venugopal Ira Thedunna Manushyar Jamal Archana Teacher School Manager Kaattupothu 1982 Karthavyam Major Ramkumar Aarambham Moidu Njan Ekananu Madhavankutty Menon Padayottam Devarajarajan Aayudham Sathyapaalan 1983 Yudham Ramu Aana Jabbar Aadhipathyam Sulaiman Bandham Vasu Angam Inspector Lawrence Kodungattu DYSP Balachandran Enne Njan Thedunnu Madhava Menon, Gopinatha Menon Rathilayam Mammutty Paalam Contractor Kumaran Nanayam Vishwanathan Muthalali Pinnilavu Keshava Panikkar Mortuary C Krishnadas Arabikkadal Xavier Muthalali Samrambham Vasu Passport Balan 1984 Oru Painkili Katha Madhavankutty Jeevitham Rajan Menon Aarorumariyathe Prof. Panicker Ithiripoove Chuvannapoove Keshavamenon Aattuvanchi Ulanjappol Viswanathan Kurishuyudham Mathew Cheriyachan Alakadalinakkare Balu S Das Chakkarayumma Mathews Manasse Ninakku Mangalam Advocate Vishwanathan Idavelakku Sesham Judge Rajasekharan Thirakkil Alppa Samayam Khader Hajiyar Ariyaatha Veethikal Judge Janannathan 1985 Kannaram Pothi Pothi Karunakaran Vellam Mathukutty Pacha Velicham Captain Nair Janakeeya Kodathi Gopi Katha Ithuvare Major Vishwanathan Guruji Oru Vakku Guruji Ayanum Itoop Ivide Ee Theerathu Prof Thampi Orikkal Oridathu Moidu 1986 Udayam Padinjaru A R K Menon Oru Yugasandhya Keshava Kuruppu 1987 Ithrayum Kaalam Chackochan Athirthikal Major Frederick Mukundan 1988 Aparan Keshavapilla 1921 Aali Musliyar Witness Advocate Madhavan Thampy Oozham Gandhian Krishnan Nair Simon Peter Ninakku Vendi Keshavadas 1989 Devadas Unnithan Naduvazhikal Ananthan Mudra IG Joseph Chacko Jaathakam Prof Ramachandran Chanakyan IG Gopalakrisha Panicker Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam Brigadier R.K.Menon The News Surendran Menon
1990s Year Title Role Notes 1990 Lal Salam Medayil Ittichan Samrajyam IG Balakrishnan Ammayude Swantham Kunju Mary Fr.Franics Nammude Naadu Krishna Menon Veena Meettiya Vilangukal Velappan 1991 Abhayam 1992 Champakulam Thachan Mootha Asari Sabarimalayil Thanka Sooryodayam Sankara Pilla Kudumbasametham Raghava Kurup Kerala State Film Award – Special Jury Award Kunjikuruvi Fr. Francis 1993 Ottayadipathakal Bhaskara Menon Yaadhavam Vishwanatha Menon Aayirappara Pappi Ekalavyan Sreedharan Thalamura Mundakyal Markose 1994 Varanamaalyam Varma Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji Hajiyar Gothram Keshavan Master 1995 Simhavalan Menon Menon Manthrikante Pravu Vasudevan Prayikkara Pappan Shankunny Samudhayam Ibrahim Mooppan 1997 The Good Boys Prathapa Varma Varnapakittu Pakalomattom Itty Moksham 1998 Harthal Imam Thangalupappa Aakhosham Geevarghese Punookkaran Samaantharangal Minister 1999 Pranaya Nilavu Thangal Onnaamvattam Kandappol Prabhakara Varma Garshom Madhavankutti Mash Stalin Sivadas Comrade Krishnan Nair Ezhupunna Tharakan Ezhupunna Owtha Tharakan
2000s Year Title Role Notes 2001 Sharja To Sharja Justice Vishwanathan Menon 2004 Chathikkatha Chanthu Vasumathi's grandfather 2005 Ben Johnson Govindamenon Naran Valiya Nambiar Thaskara Veeran Arakkalam Paili 2006 Rashtram Maliyekkal Ousephachen Raavanan Chief Minister 2007 Balyam Swamiji Hallo Bada Bhai Panthaya Kozhi Abdu Rowther 2008 Twenty:20 Viswanatha Menon Robo Madhavan Madampi Judge Aayudham Thangal Kanal Kannadi Sidharthamenon 2009 Thirunnakkara Perumal Mathai Passenger TV Channel Chairman
2010s Year Title Role Notes 2010 Brahmasthram Chief Minister Chithrakuzhal Charu's grandfather Sahasram Minister Sreekanthan Patham Adhyayam Ananda Varma Kaaryasthan Kizhakkedathu Krishnawarrier 2011 Daivathinte Kaiyoppu Kariya Umma Lucky Jokers Valiya Thampuran August 15 Dr.John 2012 Pratheekshayode Spirit Captain Nambiar Prabhuvinte Makkal Prabhu Mazhavillinattam Vare 2013 Mahatma Ayyankali Ootath Parameshwaran Pilla Geethaanjali Babychayan Manikya Thamburatiyum Christmas Carolum Pathrose White Paper Psychiatrist 72 Model Kuttan Pilla 2014 Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu Soya Sahib John Paul Vaathil Thurakkunnu Korah Nelumbo Iniyum Ethra Dooram Snehamulloral Koodeyullappol Grandfather Little Superman Ettekaal Second Menon Raktharakshassu Parayan Baaki Vechathu Avarude Veedu The Dolphins Achankuttichan 2015 Cinema @ PWD Rest House Kukkiliyar Prof. Bhaskaran Uthara Chemmeen Aashamsakalode Anna Home Minister Punnakkadan Ammakkoru Tharattu Poet Joseph Pushpavanam Samrajyam II: Son of Alexander Balakrishnan Kidney Biriyani Njan Samvidhanam Cheyyum 2016 Celebration 2017 Swayam Shankaran Vaidyar Vedham Eliyammachiyude Aadhyathe Christmas Basheerinte Premalekhanam Valapottukal Valiya Ustad Next Token Number Neravam 2018 Dust Bin My School Sthaanam Alexander Velakkari Aayi Irundhalum Ni En Mohavally 2019 Oru Yamandan Premakadha Grandfather400th film Vishudha Pushthakam Children's Park Magic Moments
2020s Year Title Role Notes 2021 One Prof. Vasudeva Panicker Cameo Neeravam 2022 PK Rosy Run Kalyani Father
Tamil films
Year Film Role Notes 1973 Bharatha Vilas Himself Guest appearance 1975 Swami Ayyappan Guest appearance 1991 Dharma Durai Pandi Durai 2009 Oru Ponnu Oru Paiyan Viswanathan
Hindi films