Bharat Gopi passes away

Veteran Malayalam actor Bharath Gopi, whose sterling performance in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's classic film Kodiyettam won him the coveted National Award, died in a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram today.

Gopi, 71, was admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital at Thattarambalam near Mavelikara on last Wednesday night when he complained of chest pain while participating in a film shoot at Krishnapuram Palace near Kayamkulam.

Gopi was at the set of the new movie directed by Balachandra Menon titled De Ingottu Onnu Nokkiye at the Krishnapuram Palace.

P Gopinathan Nair in real life, Gopi made a mark as an actor in amateur theatre at a young age and made his film debut in Adoor's maiden work Swayamvaram. Known for his versatility, Gopi had been cast in a variety of roles by leading directors including the late Aravanidan, Bharathan and Padmarajan.

An actor who paid attention to minute details, Gopi had been able to carve a niche through a large number of memorable roles over three decades.

Gopi won the Bharath award, the highest honour for an Indian movie actor, for his role as Sankaran Kutty in Kodiyettam.

His other remarkable roles were in Yavanika, Swayamvaram, Kallan Pavithran, Palangal, Ormakayi, Marmaram, Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback, Patheyam, Kattethe Kilikoodu, Aadaminte Variyellu, Panchavadi Palam, Utsavappittennu.

Gopi directed four films Njattadi, Yamanam, Utsavapittennu and Ente Hridyathinte Udama.

Gopi was born in 1937 in Chirayankizhu. He was awarded Padma Shri in 1991. Gopi was noted for his involvement in theatre group �Arangu� along with Kavalam Narayanapaniker before he entered the world of films.

Gopi's career suffered a setback at its height after he suffered a paralytic stroke some 15 years ago. However, he partly recovered and made a comeback, though physical constraints continued to trouble him.

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