Personal details
- Birth Date: 1935-11-07
- Birth Location: Trivandrum, Travancore, British India
- Children: (divorced, 2 children) Raja Menon
- Professions: Actor, Producer
T.P. Madhavan popped into the world on November 7, 1935, right in the heart of Trivandrum, Travancore, back when it was still British India—so, yeah, he saw a lot of history first-hand. The dude carved out a pretty wild ride for himself in the film industry, juggling roles both in front of the camera and behind the scenes as a producer. You’ve probably caught him in flicks like “Mahanagaram” (1992), a movie that really showed off his knack for getting under the skin of his characters. Then there’s “Lion” from 2006, where he brought this intensity and sharp wit that honestly made the whole thing pop. And don’t skip “Pingami” (1994)—that film is like a time capsule if you want to see the Malayalam cinema of that era in full swing, and Madhavan just nails his part. He wasn’t just a workaholic, either. Madhavan had a personal side—married to Sudha, he managed to keep his private life largely out of the tabloids, which is kind of a feat these days. He lived a pretty full life, right up until October 9, 2024, when he passed away in Kollam, Kerala. That’s a solid run, and he left behind a legacy in the Indian film scene that’s not going to fade anytime soon. Fans still talk about his versatility, the way he could switch from comedy to drama without missing a beat. If you’re digging into the history of Malayalam films, skipping T.P. Madhavan would be a crime, honestly. His work just hits different.
Born to the respected professor N.P. Pillai and his wife Saraswathi, the protagonist comes from a family with a strong academic background—yeah, you can almost smell the books. He’s the sort who probably grew up dodging lectures and sneaking comic books in between textbooks, but there’s always that expectation, right? Parents like that, they don’t just want you to do well, they want you to smash every record, live up to the family name, all that jazz. So, he’s got this mix of pressure and pride riding on his shoulders. No wild childhood here, just a lot of “make us proud” moments and maybe a few quiet rebellions. The influence of his parents, especially the whole “professor” thing, really sets the tone for his personality—think disciplined, maybe a bit nerdy, but with a stubborn streak that keeps things interesting.
November 7, 1935
Konidela Ram Charan
Trivandrum, Travancore, British India
Yes, Raja Menon
89 years old