Cinemaazi remembers Bharath Gopi on his birth anniversary
2 Nov 1937
On the birth anniversary of Gopynathan Velayudhan Nair, better known by his stage name, Bharath Gopi, we remember one of the earliest actors to be associated with Kerala’s New Wave cinema movement. Born on 2 November, 1937 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, he was a well-known actor, producer and director. Beginning his career as a stage actor, he went on to write five plays and direct three. Becoming interested in cinema through the Adoor Gopalakrishnan-founded Chitralekha Film Society, he made his film debut with a small role in Adoor’s Swayamvaram ( 1972). He went on to deliver a National Award-winning performance in Kodiyettam (1977). His performances in a slew of Malayalam films including Ormakkayi (1982), Yavanika (1982), Panchavadi Palam (1984) and Adaminte Vaariyellu (1983) saw him winning appreciation. He also acted in two Hindi films—Aaghat (1985) directed by Govind Nihalani, and Mani Kaul’s Satah Se Uthata Aadmi (1980). The films he directed include Njattadi (1979) Ulsavapittennu (1988), Yamanam (1991) about a physically handicapped person which was adjudged the Best Film on social issues by the National Award Jury, and Ente Hridhayathinte Utama (2002). Bharath Gopi authored two books—Abhinayam Anubhavam (Acting, Experience) which bagged the National Film Award for Best Book on Cinema, and Nataka Niyogam, on drama which won the Kerala State Drama Awards for Best Book on Drama. Awarded the Padma Shri honour in 1991, he passed away on 29 January, 2008, his last film being Balachandra Menon's De Ingottu Nokkiye (2008).
