Nandu Poduval – Production Controller and Character Artist of Malayalam Cinema

Nandu Poduval is a well-known character artist and Production Controller of Malayalam cinema. He mostly plays brief roles on screen, and concentrates most on his career as a Production Controller. Yet his short but sweet roles have made him a household name among Malayali audiences. He also works in television and appears in TV shows like ‘Vanambadi’. During his initial days, he has worked with Dileep-Nadirshah team as their cassette coordinator in 1990s, which gave him break to films. Thus he has completed 25 years in cine field.

Nandu Poduval is a native of Kilimangalam of Thrissur. It can be said that as a production manager or coordinator he started his career while studying in 9^th standard. A shooting was going on at quarters of Eloor I.R.E Company. Nandu gathered there along with other people to watch film shooting. Film co-ordinator wanted 15 people for shooting of a procession, and in the quick time it was not easy for him to arrange. Nandu took the challenge, and surprising everyone, he brought 15 people to the shooting location as his promised. Impressed by this, the co-ordinator asked him if he is interested in acting. When Nandu said yes, he asked the little boy to wear a lungi and comeback. Thus he appeared as an extra for a Malayalam film at the age of 14.

After studies, he moved to Mumbai in search of a job and while working at a cargo company he started performing mimicry and mono act for small programs of Malayalis. At that time he acquainted with Abi who came to Mumbai to study for a food inspection course. Together they did many mimicry shows and also organized shows for Tarangini Orchestra till Abi moved back to Kerala. After that he performed as solo. When Abi got involved with Dileep-Nadisha team for mimicry shows, he also joined them. In the early 1990s, comedy cassettes were high in demand, and Dilip-Nadisha duo released a series of cassettes like Onathinu Puttu Kachavadam, which became instant hits. Nandu worked as their cassette coordinator, and their association also gave him the first break to film industry as an actor and production manager. Later he became production controller and has done more than 15 films in this role.

When Dileep got break to films, Nandu approached him to know if he gets any chance in film production section, and later he and Lal jose introduced Nandu to Mohan of Seven Arts. Thus he began his filmy career as a production manager through Lelam, and when the movie became a hit, he got more film opportunities. Dileep starrer Pandi Pada is his first movie as a Production Controller.

Nandu Poduval – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. Actors Dileep and Nadirshah played an important role in Nandu’s life to get good offers from film industry. Nandu also worked in many movies where Dileep played lead role.

2. He frequently worked with directorial ventures of Priyadarshan and Lal Jose.

3. As a film actor, Ishtamanu Nooruvattam is his first credited role. He was recommended to director Kamal by Nadirshah. It was followed by a new version of ‘My dear Kuttichathan’, and then offers came his way.

4. He appears in a brief role in all movies in which he works as a production controller. At the early stage of discussion and casting itself, he tells the film director the role he wants to do. Yet he never takes full-fledged roles in movies which he works as a controller, as he can’t concentrate both works together.

5. He takes full-fledged roles in movies in which he doesn’t work as production controller. Yet he played a good role in ‘Sadananthante Samayam’.

6. He played a good-length role in Joshi’s film, Janman starring Suresh Gopi. But the movie was never released.

7. His wife and son work in Amrita hospital, Kochi.