| Captain Raju | |
| Birth Name: | Raju Daniel |
| Birth Date: | 27 June 1950 |
| Birth Place: | Omallur, State of Travancore-Cochin (now in Pathanamthitta, Kerala), India |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Death Place: | Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Raju Daniel | |
| Allegiance: |  India |
| Serviceyears: | 1971 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]
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.
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]
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]
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 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 | |
| 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 | |