Oduvil Unnikrishnan (13 February 1944 - 27 May 2006) was an award winning Malayalam movie actor known for his versatile acting skills. He was noted as a serious as well as comic actor.
Oduvil Unnikrishnan was born on 13 February 1944 in Wadakkanchery, Thrissur, Kerala, India. His uncle Sarasakavi Oduvil Unnikrishnan Menon was a noted Malayalam poet. Unnikrishnan was interested in music since his childhood and he learned vocal music, rhythm instrumrnts like mridangam and tabla. His trainer in vocal music was Kalamandalam Vasudeva Panikker. With his knowledge in various music instruments, he joined some orchestra groups. He later joined renowned Malayalam theatres like K.P.A.C. and Kerala Kalavedi. HIs major job in those theatres was that of a tablist. However, he had to do many fill-in roles in some plays as well. That was his first experience in acting.
Oduvil Unnikrishnan debuted the film industry in the late 1970's with a role in Darshanam, directed by P.N. Menon. His second film was Chenda, directed by A. Vincent. His early notable roles were that of a mahout in Guruvayur Kesavan, directed by Bharathan and as Subbaiyer in Sarapanjaram, directed by Hariharan (director). He earned public recognition through various character roles in films directed by Thoppil Bhasi, Hariharan (director) and Sathyan Anthikkad. He has acted in more than 400 films. His memorable roles include those in Nizhalkuthu, Kathapurushan, Thooval Kottaram, Yodha, Ponmuttayidunna Thattan, Oru Cheru Punchiri and Achuvinte Amma. He couls even make very brief roles like that of a idaykka player in Devasuram, directed by I. V. Sasi. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor once and for Best Supporting Actor twice.
Oduvil Unnikrishnan was suffering from kidney problems. He underwent dailysis at some hospitals in Malappuram and Thrissur. Later, he was attended to a private hospital in Kozhikode. He died there on 27 May 2006 at 6 am due to renal failure. His body was taken to his birthplace at Wadakanchery, Thrissur and cremeated at Ivarmadam, Pampady.
