Sathyan, a Malayalam superstar enjoyed stardom during the Golden Age of Malayalam cinema. He established himself as the top actor in Malayalam cinema for two decades.
He debuted in Tamil cinema Aathmasakhi which was directed by GR Rao and originally produced in Malayalam. However, due to certain circumstances, the film’s release in Malayalam was delayed. As a result, it was dubbed into Tamil and released with the title Priyasakhi. Interestingly, Aathmasakhi and Priyasakhi hit the screens in quick succession, with Atmasakhi releasing just a month after Priyasakhi. Notably, Priyasakhi released on September 13, 1952, completed 71 years on Wednesday
In this movie, Sathyan took on the lead role, alongside co-stars like Ambalappuzha Meenakshi, PS Saroja, Miss Kumari, Nambiar, and KP Kottarakarai, among others. The film’s storyline was crafted by KP Kottarakara, a renowned storyteller who had a significant impact on both Tamil and Malayalam cinema. While primarily known as an actor, he also made notable contributions as a scriptwriter, including the story for the classic Tamil film Shivaji’s Pasamalar. Additionally, he produced approximately 30 films, collaborating with Prem Naseer. His first venture into production was the 1963 film Parihi, directed by Deokanand and featuring MG Ramachandran in a starring role.
While Priyasakhi received a moderate reception in Tamil, Aathmasakhi had a significant impact on Malayalam audiences. Sathyan’s realistic performance left a lasting impression, and it was in the film Neelakuyil, released in 1954, that he truly became an amazing actor in the eyes of many. Neelakuil addressed critical social justice issues like female slavery and caste discrimination. The story was penned by the renowned Malayalam novelist Barutholi Chalapurathu Kuttikrishnan, who was known as Uroop. As a progressive writer, Neelakuyil went on to win the National Award for Best Film at the second National Award competition, marking it as the first South Indian film to achieve this prestigious honour.
Following Aathmasakhi, Sathyan went on to feature in movies like Thiramala, Lokaneethi, Ashadeepam and Snehaseema. However, it was Neelakuyil, released in 1954, that firmly established his presence in the hearts of Malayalis. Throughout his career, Sathyan acted in over 150 Malayalam films and also made appearances in two Tamil films.
Remarkably, despite battling leukaemia, Sathyan continued to pursue his passion for acting and took part in the film Anubhavangal Paalichakal. Tragically, he passed away during the shooting of this film, leaving behind a significant legacy in the world of Indian cinema.
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