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Captain Raju

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Captain Raju
Born
Raju Daniel

(1950-06-27)27 June 1950
Died17 September 2018(2018-09-17) (aged 68)
Kochi, Kerala, India
NationalityIndian
Occupations
Raju Daniel
Allegiance India
Service / branch Indian Army
Years of service1971 – 1976
Rank Captain

Raju Daniel (27 June 1950 – 17 September 2018), better known by his stage name Captain Raju, was an Indian actor and army officer. He acted in more than 600 films in various languages, including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and English. He was best known for his performances in character roles, and as a villain. He also appeared in television serials and advertisements and has also directed two Malayalam films. The comic professional assassin character called Pavanayi played by Captain Raju appearing in the movie Nadodikkattu developed a cult status in Malayalam cinema.[1][2]

Personal life

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Raju was the third of the seven children of K. G. Daniel and Annamma, and was born at Omallur,[3] Pathanamthitta, Kerala. He has four sisters named Elizabeth, Saji, Sophy, Sudha and two brothers, George and Mohan. Both his parents were teachers at Govt. UP School Omalloor.[4] He had his primary education from Govt. UP School Omalloor and NSS English Medium School, Omalloor. He was a volleyball player.[5] He pursued a degree in zoology from Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta.[6] After graduation, Raju joined the Indian Army as a short-service commissioned officer at the age of 21 and was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery and rose to the rank of a captain. Captain Raju is an alumnus of the prestigious Officers Training Academy, Chennai. He worked as marketing chief at glucose and starch manufacturing company, Lakshmi Starch, at Mumbai after serving 5 years of Indian army and later he left the job to act in films.[7] While working at the company, he started acting in amateur drama troupes like Prathiba theatres in Mumbai. He later moved to films. He made his directorial debut with the Malayalam film Etha Oru Snehagatha in 1997. His second film as director was Mr. Pavanayi 99.99 (2012) in which he reprised the role of Mr. Pavanayi, his character from the 1987 Malayalam film Nadodikkattu.

He was married to Prameela, and had a son, Ravi.[8][9] He was a Christian by birth, but also respected other religions, and even visited the others' shrines. He was a native of Puthenpeedika, Pathanamthitta. He was observed as very dynamic and vibrant during his childhood. He was also an active member of St. George Orthodox Church, Palarivattom. His parents' wish was to see him become a priest, about which he expressed at several places. He was a staunch Orthodox believer and his contributions to the Church and the society are noteworthy.

Film career

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Captain Raju first acted in an unreleased Hindi movie along with Tariq (Yaadon Ki Baraat fame) in 1980 as the supporting hero even before he made his break in Malayalam movies. Raju made his debut in Malayalam with the 1981 multi-starrer movie Raktham. The co-actor in the movie Madhu was greatly impressed with his performance. This made Madhu cast him as the hero in his first home production Rathilayam, which was a movie with A-listers of that era including Soman, Shanavas Rajkumar and Menaka. Captain Raju played the hero role in the movie with Silk Smitha as his heroine. Many B-grade films were made inspired by Rathilayam with Raju himself playing the lead in such low-budget masala films towards the late eighties.[10]

But Captain Raju had established himself as a popular actor even before this phase. His first memorable role came out in the 1984 movie Athiratram, where he played a lead role along with Mamootty and Mohanlal. He also played some of the popular villain characters during this era. In the 1986 movie Aavanazhi, he played the villain role of Sathyaraj which was well appreciated. The grand success of this movie made him one of the busiest actors in Malayalam cinema.[11] It was in the 1988 movie August 1 where Raju probably played the biggest villain role in his career. Raju's act as the unnamed killer determined to assassinate the Kerala Chief Minister was one of the high points of the film. It is considered one of the best villain characters in Malayalam cinema.[12] In the movie Samryajyam, he played an antagonist gangster opposite to that of Mammootty. Khalid in Vyooham (1990) and Pathrose in Adwaitham (1992) were some of the other noted villain characters portrayed by him during the early 90s. His role as Aringodar of Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha was one of the characters which helped Captain Raju to change his track from villain characters (other being Pavanai). This movie helped him to reveal his true potential as a character actor.[13] He also had a notable role in the 1988 movie Oru CBI Diary Kurippu. Captain Raju eventually stopped acting in villain roles during the early 90's. With the 1994 movie Kabooliwala, he became more selective and his role as Madassery Thampi in Puthukkottayile Puthumanavalan was a clear step towards this. He is also known for portraying the powerful elder brother role in the 1993 movie Uppukandam Brothers.[14]

Raju is also known for playing some of the memorable comic characters. He became a household name in Malayalam cinema after his brief role as the comical assassin Pavanayi in Nadodikkattu. The character eventually attained a cult status in Kerala.[15] The classic dialogue "Pavanayi Shavamayi” (Pavanayi is dead) along with the terms such as Malappuram Kathi, Ambum Villum, Transistor Bomb is still popular.[16][17] His character as Karunan Chandakavala (Detective Karamchand) in the 2003 slapstick CID Moosa also got appreciated. Captain Raju reprised his iconic character Pavanayi in the movie Mr. Pavanayi 99.99. The movie's production was completed in 2012, but was released only a year after his death in 2019 due to some issues with producer. This was also his second movie as a director with the first being Oru Snehagadha released in 1997. Captain Raju's last movie was the 2017 Mammootty starrer Masterpiece, where he appeared as himself after a four-year break, as he was recovering from a road accident injury.[18]

Death

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A healthy, strong man during his youth, who gave increased importance to fitness, thanks to his military career, Raju's health was severely affected by a car accident, which occurred in October 2003 at Kuthiran near Thrissur. He was seriously injured, and was hospitalised for a long period. Though he survived, he lost the vision in his left eye, and also had problems with walking. Still he was active in films and public.

During his last days, Raju suffered from various ailments like diabetes and hypertension. He had a heart attack in 2015, for which he had treatment. He suffered a massive stroke during a plane journey to New York on 25 June 2018, and was admitted to a hospital in Muscat. He was brought back to Kochi for further treatment, and later left for his home. He died aged 68 in the morning of 17 September 2018 at his residence in Palarivattom, Kochi. He was buried with full state honours at Puthenpeedika St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Pathanamthitta on 21 September.[19][20]

Filmography

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As actor

[edit]

Malayalam

[edit]
1980s
[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1981 Raktham Gunda
1982 Thadaakam Jabbar Khaan
Chilanthivala Aravindan
Pooviriyum Pulari Reghu's father
John Jaffer Janardhanan Renji
1983 Coolie Vikraman
Mortuary Raju
Iniyengilum Prasad
Passport Nagedran
Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare Vishnu
Aana Ranger Narendran
Rathilayam Appukuttan
Asuran
Ponnethooval
Changatham Prem
1984 Athirathram Rajesh
Theere Pratheekshikkathe Mohan
Kadamattathachan Neeli's lover
Kurishuyudham Magician d'Souza/Lawrence
Kooduthedunna Parava Sub-inspector
Oru Sumangaliyude Katha SI Vijayan
Minimol Vathicanil CID Inspector
Thirakal Chandran
Paavam Krooran Dasan
Unni Vanna Divasam Ashok
Shabadham Prasad
1985 Premalekhanam Babu
Kiraatham
Saandham Bheekaram
Sammelanam Basheer
Aazhi
Soundarya Pinakkam
Ezhu Muthal Onpathu Vare
Nayakan Rahim
Janakeeya Kodathi Ayyappan
Ee Sabdam Innathe Sabdam SP Gopinathan IPS
Karimpinpoovinakkare Pappachan
1986 Prathyekam Sradhikkukka Shukkoor
Hello My Dear Wrong Number David Antony Fernandez
Nimishangal Khalid
Aavanazhi Sathyaraj
1987 Kalathinte Shabdham Devarajan
Ivare Sookshikkuka
Ithrayum Kaalam
Ee Noottandile Maharogam
Theekattu Basheer
Yaagagni
Naalkavala Robert
Aattakatha
Neeyallengil Njan Balachandran
Vrutham Victor
Nadodikkattu Mr. Pavanayi
Amrutham Gamaya Suku
Oru Sindoora Pottinte Ormaykku C.K. Gupta
Adimakal Udamakal Sathyan
1988 Simon Peter Ninakku Vendi Ramji
Innaleyude Baakki Doctor
Charavalayam Basheer
Evidence Damu
Aranyakam Police Officer
Oru CBI Diary Kurippu Dy SP Prabhakara Varma
August 1 Nicholas
1989 Vaadaka Gunda
Anagha Nalini's father
Mudra Paul
Mahaaraajaavu
Miss Pamela SI Rajan Philippose
My Dear Rosy Vijay
Agnipravesham
Aazhikkoru Muthu
Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha Aringodar
1990s
[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Crime Branch CI Balachandran
Innale C.I. Satheeshan
Vyooham Khalid
Saandram C.I. Hari
No.20 Madras Mail Himself Cameo
Nammude Naadu SP Devarajan
Enquiry
Naale Ennundengil Narendran
Kadathanadan Ambadi Kowliya Maharajah
Arhatha Shekhu
Appu Suresh
Samrajyam Krishnadas
1991 Kalamorukkam Prasad, Damodharan Nair
Chakravarthy Chandrachoodan
Neelagiri
Kankettu Peter Lal
Ragam Anuragam A. K. Menon
1992 Mahaan Ismail
Kavacham Private Detective
Adhwaytham Pathrose
Rajashilpi Bhadran
1993 Uppukandam Brothers Uppukandam Kariachan
1994 Kabooliwala Circus Owner
Gentleman Security Commander Rajkumar
Sankeerthanam
1995 Puthukkottayile Puthumanavalan Madassery Thampi
Special Squad Customs Collector Rajan Varghese
Thakshashila Major Madhavan
Agnidevan Pareeth
1996 Kalyana Sougandhikam Neelakantan Vaidyar
1997 Sankeerthanam Pole Fr. Zakariya
Itha Oru Snehagatha Fr. Daniel
1998 Sooryavanam Marshall
Mattupetti Machan Mattupetti Mahadevan
Elavamkodu Desam Udayavarmman
Daya King
1999 Udayapuram Sulthan Abdul Rahman
Thachiledathu Chundan Velupillai
Pranaya Nilavu Hajiyar
Olympian Anthony Adam
Stalin Sivadas Contractor Narendran
My Dear Karadi S.I. Keshavan
Captain Ranger Jayadevan
The Godman Crime Branch Officer
Ezhupunna Tharakan Chacko Tharakan
Aayiram Meni Unnithan
Red Indians Commissioner
2000s
[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2000 Snehapoorvam Anna Jomon's father
Valliettan DySP Mohammed Ilias
2001 Sraavu Commissioner Mohan Roy
Bhadra
Rakshasa Rajavu DGP Joseph Mathew IPS
Sharja To Sharja Kanaran Kappithan
2002 Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha Kannappa Chekavar
Swarna Medal Ravi Varman
Punyam
Thandavam Commissioner Rajeevan
2003 C.I.D. Moosa Karunan Chanthakkavala
Soudamini
Pattalam Colonel Kannappan
War and Love Brig. Nair
2004 Kottaram Vaidyan
Wanted Police Officer
Sathyam City Police Commissioner
2005 Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Deepangal Sakshi
Boyy Friennd DGP Chandrakumar
2006 Vargam Arakkal Aboobakkar Haaji
Kilukkam Kilukilukkam Col. Panikkar
Red Salute Joseph Thomas
Ashwaroodan Vishwanathan
Thuruppugulan
Aanachandam
2007 Speed Track College Principal
Avan Chandiyude Makan Vicar
Black Cat
Goal
Nasrani Kottarathil John
2008 Mayakazhcha
Kovalam
Twenty:20
2009 Pazhassi Raja Mancheriyil Unnimootha
Sanmanasullavan Appukuttan
2010s
[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Happy Durbar
Yakshiyum Njanum Aathira's father
2011 Arjunan Saakshi Chief Minister
China Town Vincent Gomez
2012 Theruvu Nakshatrangal
2013 Ezhamathe Varavu Chief Archaeologist
Abhiyum Njanum Devanandan
Mumbai Police IG Gopinathan Nair IPS
2014 Masala Republic Chinese Chandran
2015 Nikkah
Aashamsakalode Anna
2016 Poyi Maranju Parayaathe
Appuram Bengal Ippuram Thiruvithamkoor
2017 Masterpiece Himself Extended Cameo
2018 Stethoscope
2019 Mr. Pavanayi 99.99 Mr. Pavanayi
Valiyaperunnal Raju Daniel
Lessons

Tamil

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1984 Nalla Naal Pannaiyar
1987 Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu
Jallikattu Commissioner Sivaprasad
Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan
1988 Dharmathin Thalaivan Bhaskar
En Jeevan Paduthu Chakravarthy
Soora Samhaaram Chakkaravarthy
Sudhanthira Naattin Adimaigal
Dhayam Onnu
Jeeva DSP Dhairiyam
1989 Chinnappadass Ravi Prakash
En Rathathin Rathame
Thaai Naadu Colonel Ramasundhar
Meenakshi Thiruvilayadal Yatchan
1992 Naangal Naveen Kumar
Sevagan Sabapathy
Sivantha Malar
1993 Ulle Veliye
Pratap
Madurai Meenakshi Ulaganathan
1994 Priyanka Gokulnath
Rajakumaran Selvaraj
1995 Veluchami
2007 Ninaithu Ninaithu Parthen Mohammed Aslam
2011 Ponnar Shankar Chellatha Gounder

Telugu

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1982 Balidanam
1987 Marana Sasanam 'Black Tiger' Satyaraj
1991 Sathruvu DIG Prakash Rao
Rowdy Alludu Ranjith Kumar
1992 Rowdy Inspector S.P.
Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam
1993 Kondapalli Raja Daniel
Tholi Muddhu Mr. Gupta
Rowdy Mogudu D.S.P. Chinna Rao [21]
Police Lockup
Amma Koduku
1994 Jailor Gaari Abbayi Bapineedu
Gandeevam Michael
1995 Maatho Pettukoku Chakravarthy
1999 Pichodi Chetilo Raayi Maharadhi

Kannada

[edit]
  • Jai Karnataka (1989)
  • Nyayakkaagi Naanu (1989)

Hindi

[edit]
  • Kashmakash (2011)

English

[edit]

As director

[edit]
  • Mr. Pavanayi 99.99 (2019)
  • Itha Oru Snehagatha (1997)

Television

[edit]
Serials
Shows
  • Airtel Challenge as Quiz master (Jeevan TV)

References

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  1. ^ "Captain Raju will always be remembered for his role as Mr Pavanayi". The Indian Express. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  2. ^ RAJEEV, ARAVIND (18 September 2018). "The military man who gained immortality as 'Pavanayi'". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Omalloorile Onakazhchakal". mangalamvarika.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Life of Captain 1". mangalamvarika.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ^ "Life of Captain". mangalamvarika.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "CiniDiary". cinidiary.com.
  7. ^ "സിനിമയിലെ ക്യാപ്റ്റന്‍". webdunia.com.
  8. ^ "മിസ്റ്റര്‍ പവനായി സ്‌പീക്കിങ്‌, Interview – Mathrubhumi Movies" Archived 15 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine. mathrubhumi.com.
  9. ^ "ചെയര്മാന്റെ പിറന്നാള് സമ്മാനം". mangalamvarika.com. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  10. ^ "ക്യാപ്റ്റന്‍ രാജുവിന്‍റെ സംസ്കാരം വ്യാഴാഴ്ച". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  11. ^ മുരളി, ജഗ്ദീപ്. "പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട വില്ലന്മാർക്കൊപ്പമിരുന്ന് ക്യാപ്റ്റൻ ഇതൊക്കെ ശ്രദ്ധിക്കുന്നുണ്ടാവും". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  12. ^ "Iconic characters played by late Malayalam actor Captain Raju - The New Indian Express". www.newindianexpress.com. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Goodbye, Captain Raju: Seven memorable performances of the veteran actor". The News Minute. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Captain Raju: A versatile star of the 'Golden 80s' in Malayalam cinema". The New Indian Express. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  15. ^ "അന്ന് 'പവനായി' ചിരിപ്പിച്ചു; ഇന്ന് കരയിപ്പിക്കുന്നു: ക്യാപ്റ്റന്‍റെ ആ വലിയ സ്വപ്നം ബാക്കി". Manoramanews. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  16. ^ "പവനായിയുടെ മരണം; സത്യൻ ആദ്യം എഴുതിയത് ക്യാപ്റ്റൻ രാജു സമ്മതിച്ചില്ല: കുണ്ടറ ജോണി". ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  17. ^ മാധവന്‍, അനുശ്രീ (17 September 2018). "അങ്ങനെ... പവനായിയുടെ രണ്ടാം വരവും ഇല്ലാതായി, ക്യാപ്റ്റന്‍ രാജുവും മടങ്ങുന്നു". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  18. ^ Kumar, P. K. Ajith (18 September 2018). "Captain Raju stood tall amid handsome villains". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Noted Malayalam actor Captain Raju dies". OnManorama. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  20. ^ "'ലാലൂ.... രാജുച്ചായനാ' ആ ശബ്ദം ഇപ്പോഴും എന്റെ കാതുകളില്‍ മുഴങ്ങുന്നുണ്ട്". Archived from the original on 18 September 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  21. ^ v9 Videos (4 May 2024). ROWDY MOGUDU | EXCLUSIVE TELUGU FULL MOVIE | MOHAN BABU | VIJAYASHANTI | VANISREE | V9 VIDEOS. Retrieved 7 June 2024 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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