logo
KPAC Rajendran passes away

KPAC Rajendran passes away

The Hindu5 days ago
Actor KPAC Rajendran passed away in Alappuzha on Thursday (July 31, 2025). He was 74. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Government Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha.
Mr. Rajendran, who began his career as a theatre artist, was best known for his role in the famous play Ningalenne Communistakki. He also won acclaim from television viewers for his portrayal of Padavalam Kuttanpillai in the serial Uppum Mulakum.
Communist Party of India State secretary Binoy Viswam, who is also the president of Kerala Peoples Arts Club (KPAC), condoled Rajendran's death. Mr. Viswam said that Rajendran had made an indelible mark on the Malayalam stage by portraying numerous memorable characters for over half a century.
'Rajendran was an active presence both on stage and behind the scenes of KPAC dramas. For someone like Rajendran, who held aloft the red flag on stage for many years as the legendary character Paramupilla, KPAC was nothing short of family. His commitment to the movement and his passion for the art will always be remembered,' Mr. Viswam said.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Venkitesh V P on Kingdom speech: Felt I went overboard, thought I ruined my career
Venkitesh V P on Kingdom speech: Felt I went overboard, thought I ruined my career

Hindustan Times

time30 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Venkitesh V P on Kingdom speech: Felt I went overboard, thought I ruined my career

Malayalam actor Venkitesh made headlines when his speech at the Kingdom pre-release event went viral. Everyone wanted to know who this new kid on the block was, and he became one of the most-searched actors on the web. Kingdom actor Venkitesh VP Now that Kingdom, featuring Vijay Deverakonda, has hit the screens and taken a great start, Venkitesh, who played the main villain, is being lauded for his stellar performance in the action drama. Venkitesh revealed in an interview with Gulte that after delivering his high-energy speech, he felt incredibly happy and believed he had made an impact. But things changed as he went home, and the actor says, "The moment I rewatched the speech, I felt I went overboard and had ruined my career even before the film was released. But I thank the Telugu audience, who have welcomed me with open arms. I watched the film three times on day one, and the reception to my intro was superb and made me emotional," said Venkitesh. The young actor played the main villain in Kingdom, and all his scenes with Vijay Deverakonda and Satyadev have earned him a lot of appreciation. The action drama has grossed just over ₹80 crore and has given the Malayalam actor a new lease of life in Telugu cinema. Speaking of action dramas, you can stream Eagle, Krack, Marco, and Harom Hara on OTTplay Premium. Venkitesh on his new found fame in Tollywood Coming back to Kingdom, Venkitesh added that the film has made him a talking point and that he is someone who doesn't hide his emotions. "I was thrilled to be part of such a big film and couldn't resist myself during the pre-release event. I'm thankful that my hard work has paid off, as some big names from Telugu cinema have appreciated my performance," he added. With such thumping praise coming his way, Venkitesh says he's looking forward to doing more big-budget Telugu films in the days to come. Vijay Deverakonda and Satyadev played the lead roles in Kingdom, which also stars Bhagyashree Borse as the female lead.

Children's Malayalam film inspires circular seating in multiple Kerala schools
Children's Malayalam film inspires circular seating in multiple Kerala schools

India Today

time2 hours ago

  • India Today

Children's Malayalam film inspires circular seating in multiple Kerala schools

A children's Malayalam film titled "Sthanarthi Sreekuttan" has inspired a unique shift in classroom seating arrangements in several schools across Kerala and even one in film's climax, which depicts a circular seating setup to eliminate the concept of frontbenchers and backbenchers, has resonated with educators and is now being implemented in at least seven schools with smaller class strengths. advertisementThe film, released in 2024, promotes the idea of equality in the classroom - an arrangement where all students can participate on equal footing. Schools that have introduced this circular or U/V-shaped seating include RCC LPS East Mangad in Thrissur, GHSS Tholanur in Palakkad, RVV HSS Valakom in Kollam, and Pappinisseri West LP School in Kannur, among Vinesh Viswanath expressed surprise and joy over the movie's tangible impact. Speaking to India Today, he said, "Cinema definitely can bring about a positive impact in society. Malayalam films like Ustad Hotel and Traffic have shown that. As a maker, you feel really satisfied when your concept reaches real people."He also revealed that the 2014 Tamil film Kaaka Muttai inspired his team to make a meaningful children's entertainer with strong Christin, a teacher at RCC LPS East Mangad, said he was drawn to the film for nostalgic reasons. "Most of the incidents reminded me of my school days. I particularly liked the ending with the circular seating. Since I had only 20 students, it was easy to implement. For classrooms with 60 students, it may not be feasible," he also noted that the education department has always allowed flexibility in seating a time when the influence of films on youth is under intense scrutiny, "Sthanarthi Sreekuttan" offers a refreshing example of cinema positively influencing education and social dynamics. The director added that while his next film will belong to a different genre, he is heartened by the social relevance his debut effort has achieved.- Ends

Actor Urvashi questions her National Award win: Yet to decide if I should accept
Actor Urvashi questions her National Award win: Yet to decide if I should accept

India Today

time3 hours ago

  • India Today

Actor Urvashi questions her National Award win: Yet to decide if I should accept

Veteran Malayalam actor Urvashi, known for her outspokenness, questioned her Best Supporting Actress honour at the 71st National Awards. While she played the lead role in director Christo Tomy's 'Ullozhukku', she was awarded in a different category. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Urvashi stated that she is yet to decide whether to accept the National Award, expressing her disappointment at 'Aadujeevitham' being snubbed and raising her voice for the future will decide whether to receive the award only after I get clarity from jury members on why lead roles were considered in the supporting actor category. She said the jury should clarify what the difference was in performance and that sharing the award in that category was also not possible," she from the interview: Q: Christo Tomy said that you haven't completely healed from the gruesome shooting. When you win awards for a film like that, how does that make you feel?A: Definitely, very happy. We are happy whichever film wins it. Winning it for this film, however, adds on to the joy because, for around 40-45 days, we had to stand in the water and shoot. It was a character that was going through a lot mentally, so we will naturally get into the character at that moment. There are still many issues with my legs because of that shoot. So it's extremely joyful that such a film won this award. Also, it's the result of Christo Tomy's efforts as a filmmaker that it won Best Malayalam Film as well. So, it's double the joy! Q: You won Best Actress award for 'Ullozhukku' at the Kerala State Awards. But, you were awarded in the supporting category at the National Awards. It came as a surprise to many in Kerala...A: It was surprising to everyone who watched the movie, including media personalities. Everyone who called me to praise and congratulate me discussed this issue with me. That's how I felt like raising this question as well. Because at the state level, I got the Best Actress same goes for Vijayaraghavan, who won Best Supporting Actor [at the National Award for 'Pookkalam' despite playing the lead role]. He won the biggest honour in Malayalam - the JC Daniel award - for that film. He has a long career in films. He is the son of a legendary artist, and he did multiple films with strong characters. In this film, he played the lead role, just like I did in looking at the way awards have been presented in these many years, the Best Actor and Actress awards are given to those who play lead roles. Those who have supporting characters are given supporting characters awards. This is the first time a lead character in a film has been given a supporting character point is what if I did a good supporting role in another film, and it won the award, how are they going to give it to me? That's my question. This question is not to any government. I don't intend to include any government in this. I don't play politics. There is a jury appointed by the government. People from North might not know about everyone from every industry. Right? Old directors might know people from most time periods. But the question is whether the jury that went from the South spoke for South Indian films from Malayalam, Tamil etc.? I believe that has not happened.Q: Last year, Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon shared the Best Actor award. This time, it wasn't shared and the Best Supporting Actress was shared. Do you see any particular reason behind it? A: I don't think there was any reason behind it. Rani Mukherji is a really good actor. Shah Rukh Khan is a good actor. He should have won the award even before. But jury members should clarify what the difference was in performance that sharing was not possible.Q: 'Aadujeevitham' swept 9 honours at the Kerala state film awards and was appreciated highly across. Director Blessy said that the jury chairperson liked the movie and praised it initially, but later thrashed 'Aadujeevitham' is a film that narrated the tale of the disastrous life of a man. It's not just a cinema story. It's a real life story which is difficult to even just sit and listen to. The efforts taken by the actor for that role, the physical challenges he faced - Prithviraj is a commercial star. It's one of the most important roles he got in his career. The film didn't get noticed, AR Rahman's music did not get noticed, there is a new actor in the film and no other department's efforts were noticed at the awards. It surprised me also that there was not a single mention of the film. I am definitely upset about it.Q: Social media is praising you for expressing your opinions. You said that if you stay silent it will be an injustice to your juniors. What made you talk about it? A: Not just this issue, I have remained silent many times, thinking that I shouldn't hurt anyone or create an issue. This generation of actors like Rima Kallingal and others used to ask me, "if Urvashi doesn't speak, how will we get an opportunity to speak." People will say that an actor like Urvashi is remaining silent so what is the issue with these new-gen actors?. "This is the situation we are moving into", is what they told is already inequality existing. So they told me that if I don't raise my voice at least on some issues, there will come a situation where they won't be able to raise their voice at all. I felt it was right. What I am asking are my doubts. The jury members who went from here are the ones who should reply to it. I am not asking any government but the jury who went from the South. Did they have correct knowledge about these films and these actors? Did they speak for it? So for the next generation, I feel I need to raise my voice.Q: Have you decided to receive the award? Or are you waiting for clarity from the jury members?A: I am waiting for some clarity. I am not someone who will raise issue and questions to get attention. Never in my life have I wondered and got upset thinking about why I didn't get an award. I have never acted to win an award. I will not do it again either. But there should be an answer to is a protocol in everything which will give answers to our questions. In this country, it's normal in every sector, but my question is why it is not there is cinema. If I get low marks after writing an exam, I have the right to question that in this country. I am a student of cinema. So when my films or films of others are considered, and you find flaws in it, I have the right to ask about the basis for it. That's what I believe, and I need an answer for it.- EndsTrending Reel

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store