Ratheesh (1954–2002) was an Indian actor best known for his work in Malayalam cinema. He was a native of Kalavoor in the

Alappuzha Alappuzha or Alleppey () is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha district in state of Kerala, India. The Backwaters of Alappuzha are one of the most popular tourist attractions in India which attracts millions of domestic and internat ...

district of

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South C ...

, India. He performed villainous roles during the 1990s. He had acted in 158 films with directors such as K. G. George, I. V. Sasi,

Joshiy Joshiy (born 18 July 1952) is an Indian film director and producer from Varkala in Kerala who works predominantly in the Malayalam film industry. He made his debut with ''Tiger Salim'' (1978) and has directed over 80 films. He has also direc ...

, P. G. Vishwambharan, Thampy Kannamthanam, Sreekumaran Thampi, Rajasenan,P.K.Joseph and Shaji Kailas. Unlike other villains of the time, Ratheesh captivated the Malayalam movie lovers with his charms and handsome looks.

Personal life

He was born to Puthenpurayil V. Rajagopalan and Padmavathi amma at Kalavoor,

. He had two sisters, Sherly and Laila. He had his education from Sree Narayana College, Kollam and S.N. College, Cherthala. He was married to Diana, who is the daughter of· Ex minister M.K. Hemachandran, on 11 September 1983. The couple have four children Parvathy, Padmaraj, Padma and Pranav. He died due to a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which m ...

at his home in Coimbatore on 23 December 2002, aged just 48.

Career

Ratheesh started his career in the Malayalam film '' Vezhambal'' in 1977. But it was K. G. George who provided his big break through '' Ullkadal'' in 1979. He became a bankable star through I. V. Sasi's '' Thusharam'' in 1981. From 1981 to 1988 he was at the peak of his career, performing in films like '' Oru Mukham Pala Mukham'', '' Ee Nadu'', '' Rajavinte Makan'', '' Muhoortham 11.30'', '' Sankharsham'', '' Vazhiyorakazhchakal'', '' Aayiram Kannukal'', '' Abkari'', '' Unaroo'', ''Ithraym Kaalam'', '' Uyarangalil'', ''Thanthram'', '' Akkachiyude Kunjuvava'', '' John Jaffer Janardhanan'', '' Innalenkil Nale'' and '' Ponthooval''. After 1988 he reduced the number of films in which he acted, he quit altogether after 1990. After a period of four years he made a comeback as the antagonist through Shaji Kailas's '' Commissioner''. Throughout the 1990s, he did various villainous and character roles in films such as '' Kashmeeram'', '' Nirnayam'', '' Yuvathurki'', '' 19 April'', and '' Gangothri''. In the 2000s, he was notable for his roles in '' Ravanaprabhu'' and ''Danny''.

Filmography

As an actor

Malayalam

Tamil films

Produced films

* Iyer The Great * Chakkikotha Chankaran * Black Mail * Revenge * Ente Shabtham

Television

*2001: Venalmazha (Surya TV) opposite to sreevidhya *2001 : Anna (Kairali TV)

References

Ratheesh at MSI

Ratheesh
at Internet Movie Database {{authority control Male actors from Alappuzha 1954 births 2002 deaths Male actors in Malayalam cinema Indian male film actors People from Alappuzha district 20th-century Indian male actors 21st-century Indian male actors