| Rajan P. Dev | |
| Birth Date: | 20 May 1951 |
| Birth Place: | Cherthala, State of Travancore-Cochin, India (present-day Alappuzha, Kerala, India) |
| Death Place: | Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Years Active: | 1980 2009 |
| Spouse: | Santhamma |
| Children: | 3 |
Rajan P. Dev (20 May 1951 – 29 July 2009) was an Indian film and stage actor. He was born in Cherthala in the Alappuzha district of the former state Thiru-Kochi (present day Kerala). He had acted in over 500 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada languages. He was noted for his villain roles laced with a touch of humour. He came into the limelight for his characterisation of Kochuvava in the play Kattukuthira.[1] Rajan P. Dev died in Kochi Wednesday 29 July 2009 due to a liver disease.[2]
Rajan.P.Dev was born to Devassia who was known as S. J. Dev, a popular stage and drama actor of his times, and Kuttyamma in 1951 at Cherthala. He has a sister, Raniyamma. He had his education from Govt. Boys Higher Secondary School, Cherthala, St. Michael's College, Cherthala and Sree Narayana College, Cherthala.[3]
Rajan P. Dev was married to Shanthamma. The couple had three children; Asha, Jubil Raj and Unni. Asha is married to Binoy, a hotel businessman. Jubil Raj has been an actor from 2009. He has done more than 20 movies in Malayalam and Tamil. He has done some major roles in Yakshiyum Njanum, Thappana, Thank You, Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus, KQ, Welcome to Central Jail, King Liar, An International Local Story, Maffi Dona, Kaaval, etc. His younger son Unni also acted in movies like Zachariayude Garbhinikal, Aadu and its sequel.[4]
Rajan P. Dev, born to noted stage actor S. J. Dev and Kuttyamma, started his acting career with various professional play troupes in Kerala. His father remained one of his major influences.[5] He was noted for his performances in various plays in the troupe of senior stage actor N. N. Pillai. He was cast by S. L. Puram Sadanandan to do the protagonist role of Kochuvava in his play Kattukuthira. The play was staged in over 100 venues and Dev became immensely popular all over Kerala. He received the Kerala State Theater Best Actor Award in 1984 and 1986. Along with his successful stage career, Dev launched his film career. Despite his success in films, he maintained a steady relationship with stage plays. He founded the play troupe Jubilee Theatres; and for its plays he did creative contributions in various departments. The last play by Jubilee Theatres, a satire titled Amminipuram Gramapanchayat had its lyrics and music by Dev.
Dev launched his film career with Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku (1983), directed by Fazil. When his superhit play Kattukuthira was made into a film, the role went to Thilakan. Dev expressed his disappointment on this in a magazine interview, which caught the attention of director Thampy Kannanthanam. He invited Dev to play the villain role of Carlos in his film Indrajaalam (1990), starring Mohanlal. Just like his character Kochuvava, Carlos also became immensely popular so much so that for some years since then Dev was often referred to as Carlos, much like Keerikkadan Jose another popular villain character of that time.[6] The role of Carlos proved to be career-defining for Dev, as he was showered with villain roles in a number of films.
Several of Dev's villain roles had a touch of comedy, but he could not get out of the typical villain character mould. He got a break from this with Aniyan Bava Chetan Bava (1995), directed by Rajasenan, in which he played Aniyan Bava, the younger brother to Chettan Bava, played by Narendra Prasad. The film established his versatility. He went on to act in full-fledged comedy roles after it, most notably in the films Sphadikam (1995), Thommanum Makkalum (2005) and Chota Mumbai (2007). He still continued to act his signature villain roles. He expanded his career to Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films starting with Gentleman (1993), directed by S. Shankar. He acted in over 50 films in those languages, most of which were villain roles. Out of about 800 films he acted in, many of the roles he played were of corrupt police officer, minister, etc., another testimonial to the several typecast roles he had to act in.[7] Dev has directed three films: Achammakuttiyude Achayan (1998), Maniyarakkallan and Achante Kochumolku (2003). He was planned to direct two more films titled Kayal Rajavu and Simham, starring Mammootty and Prithviraj, respectively.[8]
Rajan P. Dev suffered from various disease like diabetes and liver cirrhosis during his final years. He was admitted to hospital many times due to these problems. He also lost his sight due to diabetes, and suffered without seeing camera during many shootings. On 26 July 2009, he vomited high amounts of blood at his home in Angamaly, and was admitted to Little Flower Hospital near his home. Later, he was shifted to Lake Shore Hospital in Kochi for advanced treatment, where he died on 29 July, aged 58.[9] The last film that he had acted in was Ringtone, directed by Ajmal.[10]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Sanchari | Chekuthaan Varghese | |
| Sphodanam | |||
| 1983 | Ente Mamattukkuttiyammakku | Adv. Thomas George | |
| 1984 | My Dear Kuttichathan | School Teacher | |
| 1985 | Akalathe Ambili | ||
| Makan Ente Makan | |||
| 1986 | Shyama | Dance Master | Cameo |
| Pappan Priyappetta Pappan | Puli Sankaran | ||
| 1988 | Samvalsarangal | ||
| 1989 | Swantham Ennu Karuthi | ||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Vyooham | Jayakumar | |
| Indrajaalam | Carlos | ||
| Ee Kanni Koodi | Pillai | ||
| Appu | Varma | ||
| Oliyampukal | Nanu Mooppan | ||
| 1991 | Kadinjool Kalyanam | Thalaivar Vellai Chami | |
| Ezhunnallathu | Ranger Uncle | ||
| Chakravarthy | Patrick Perreira | ||
| Thudar Katha | Receiver Shivasankaran | ||
| Amina Tailors | Moori Hydrose | ||
| Mookilla Rajyathu | Abdullah | ||
| Kuttapathram | Augustine Fernandez | ||
| 1992 | Apaaratha | Theeppori Madhavan | |
| Maanyanmar | Vikaraman | ||
| Kaazhchakkppuram | Thomas Mathew | ||
| Aardram | Mathai | ||
| Kizhakkan Pathrose | Chandi Muthalaali | ||
| First Bell | Vakkachan | ||
| Ente Ponnu Thampuran | S.I. Idikulla | ||
| 1993 | Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans | Sadanandan | |
| Pravachakan | Menon | ||
| Mafia | Moosakutty | ||
| Janam | Dasappan | ||
| Injakkadan Mathai & Sons | David | ||
| Ekalavyan | Home Minister Velayudhan | ||
| Aayirappara | Govinda Menon | ||
| Paalayam | Member Kuttapayi | ||
| 1994 | Commissioner | IG Rajan Felix IPS | |
| Chukkan | Anandakrishna Iyyer | ||
| Puthran | Easho | ||
| Gandeevam | Karunakaran Nair | ||
| Kadal | Musthafa Haji | ||
| Rudraksham | Nair | ||
| Kambolam | Tharakkandam Thommichan | ||
| Njan Kodiswaran | Mathachen | ||
| Manathe Kottaram | Lukochen Pettah | ||
| Kudumba Vishesham | KRC | ||
| Cabinet | Varghesekutty | ||
| 1995 | Tom & Jerry | Krishnadas | |
| Three Men Army | Thomas | ||
| Ezharakoottam | Vakkachan | ||
| Spadikam | Manimala Vakkachan | ||
| Puthukkottayile Puthumanavalan | Govindan | ||
| Mazhavilkoodaram | Ram Saab | ||
| Maanthrikam | Antonio | ||
| Kokkarakko | |||
| Mimics Action 500 | Manimala Mamachan | ||
| Kidilol Kidilam | Eappan George | ||
| Karma | |||
| Kalamasseriyil Kalyanayogam | Edappally Raman Nair | ||
| Aniyan Bava Chetan Bava | Kunjan Bava (Aniyan Bava) | ||
| Agrajan | Ittikuru/Kunjupalu | ||
| Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary | SP Sugunapal | ||
| Thirumanassu | Divan Thampi | ||
| Peterscott | Doctor | ||
| Special Squad | Fernandez | ||
| The King | Govindan Menon | ||
| Alancheri Thamprakkal | Capt. Mukundan Menon/George Varghese | ||
| Saamoohyapaadam | Kunjanandan Nair | ||
| 1996 | Patanayakan | Maliyekkal Marthandan | |
| Yuvathurki | Somedraji/Gunashekharan | ||
| Dominic Presentation | Marthandan Pillai | ||
| Mr. Clean | Madhavan Thampi | ||
| Sathyabhamakkoru Premalekhanam | Kovai Machan | ||
| Mookkilla Rajyathu Murimookkan Rajavu | |||
| Malayaalamaasam Chingam Onninu | |||
| Kinnam Katta Kallan | Doctor Raghav | ||
| Kavadam | |||
| 1997 | Azhakiya Ravanan | Chathothu Panicker | |
| Newspaper Boy | Dada | ||
| Manthra Mothiram | Achuthan | ||
| Kottappurathe Koottukudumbam | Bhaskara Menon | ||
| Kalyana Unnikal | Muthu Nayakam | ||
| Junior Mandrake | Nambiar | ||
| Janathipathyam | DGP Padmanabhan Pillai IPS | ||
| Ekkareyanente Manasam | Adv. Sreedharan | ||
| Asuravamsam | Moosa Settu | ||
| Masmaram | Willson Moriz | ||
| Bhoopathi | Williams | ||
| Aattuvela | |||
| Varnapakittu | Pullankunnel Pappan | ||
| 1998 | Kottaram Veettile Apputtan | Kozhikkaden Achuthan Nambiar | |
| Kalaapam | Vaniyamkulam Vishwam | ||
| Vismayam | Thumbaseery Kuruppu | ||
| Kallu Kondoru Pennu | Sreekandan | ||
| Grama Panchayath | Pappu | ||
| Dravidan | |||
| Achaammakkuttiyude Achaayan | Kattungal Anthony | also director (debut) | |
| Aalibabayum Aarara Kallanmarum | Chathanadan | ||
| 1999 | Swastham Grihabharanam | Veerabhadran Nair | |
| Panchapandavar | Parameswara Kurup | ||
| Jananayakan | Doraiswami | ||
| Independence | Mukundan | ||
| Ezhupunna Tharakan | Kumbanadan Lazar | ||
| Deepasthambham Mahascharyam | Nambiar | ||
| Crime File | Mammala Mammachen | ||
| Parasala Pachan Payyannoor Paramu | K.N. Pisharadi | ||
| Aayiram Meni | Bhaskaran | ||
| Aakasha Ganga | Meppadan Thirumeni | ||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Sathyameva Jayathe | SSP Thomas Pattimattom IPS | |
| Dada Sahib | Skaraia Zachariah | ||
| The Warrant | Navajeevan Madhavji | ||
| Mera Naam Joker | Ittoop | ||
| Rapid Action Force | Koshy Nainan | ||
| Cover Story | |||
| 2001 | Vakkalathu Narayanankutty | DGP Kurian Kulapurayil IPS | |
| Rakshasa Rajavu | Minister Attuva Avarachan | ||
| Nakshathragal Parayathirunnathu | Rajashekharan | ||
| Kakkinakshathram | Anamuttathu Hajiyar | ||
| Nagaravadhu | Mamaji | ||
| Ee Nadu Innalevare | Chief Minister | ||
| Karumadikkuttan | Neelakantan Muthalali | ||
| Sharja To Sharja | Karunan Kappithan | ||
| Nariman | Adv. Vaikuntam | ||
| 2002 | Videsi Nair Swadesi Nair | Rajappan Nair | |
| Swarna Medal | Balakrishanan | ||
| Akhila | Sekharan Nair | ||
| Njan Rajavu | |||
| Shivam | S.I. Eapen | ||
| Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan | C.I. Chellappa Chettiar | ||
| Kaiyethum Doorath | Prof. Sadasivan | ||
| Jagathy Jagadeesh in Town | Minister Vishwanathan | ||
| 2003 | Leader | Kaimal | |
| Swantham Malavika | |||
| Achante Kochumolku | Gabriel Panachikkadan | ||
| 2004 | Kusruthi | Thathran | |
| Vamanapuram Bus Route | Ouseppu | ||
| Sethurama Iyer CBI | Registar Bahuleyan | ||
| C. I. Mahadevan 5 Adi 4 Inchu | Nambiar | ||
| Vellinakshatram | Meppadan Thirumeni | ||
| Vajram | Fr. Varghese | ||
| Thekkekkara Superfast | Philippose Pookkattuparambil | ||
| Aparichithan | Police Officer | ||
| Natturajavu | Captain Menon | ||
| 2005 | Isra | ||
| Thommanum Makkalum | Thomman | As Title Role | |
| Udayon | Chetti | ||
| Kalyana Kurimanam | Aravindaksha Kuruppu | ||
| Thaskara Veeran | Arakkalam Kuttappan | ||
| Pandippada | Kuruppu / Karuppayya Swami | ||
| Bharathchandran I.P.S. | DySP Pookkoya | ||
| Chanthupottu | Thorayil Aasan | ||
| The Tiger | Varkeychan Narimattathil | ||
| 2006 | Vargam | Priest | |
| Pothan Vava | Vakkachan | ||
| Highway Police | David D'Souza | ||
| Oruvan | |||
| 2007 | Ravanan | I.G. Raman Menon | |
| Panthaya Kozhi | Astrologer | ||
| Nagaram | Lonappan | ||
| Sketch | Chandrasekhara Shetty | ||
| Chotta Mumbai | Pambu Chackochan | ||
| Abraham & Lincoln | Rahim Rawuthar | ||
| Athisayan | Minister Divakaran | ||
| Nadiya Kollappetta Rathri | Retired SI Mayilvahanam Kathireshan | ||
| Ali Bhai | Karunakaran Thampi | ||
| Black Cat | Tharakan Muthalali | ||
| Kichamani MBA | DIG Somashekaran IPS | ||
| Indrajith | 'Chemparunthu' Bhaskaran | ||
| Chocolate | Bahuleyan | ||
| 2008 | Roudram | IG Mohammed Shihabudeen IPS | |
| Mayabazar | Akri Damodharan | ||
| Annan Thampi | Dharmarajan | ||
| Kanichukulangarayil CBI | Krishna Gopan | ||
| Lollipop | Chandykunju | ||
| Sound of Boot | Retd IGP Raghavan Nambiar IPS | ||
| Gopalapuranam | Gopalan Nair | ||
| De Ingottu Nokkiye | |||
| Shakespeare M.A. Malayalam | Veerabhasan | ||
| Aayudham | Plavinchottil Chacko | ||
| Bullet | Ganga Prasad | ||
| 2009 | Love In Singapore | Irumbu Mani | |
| Hailesa | Maniyappan's father | ||
| I. G. – Inspector General | Chief Minister Ramachandran | ||
| Ee Pattanathil Bhootham | Kora | ||
| Daddy Cool | Roy's father | ||
| Sambhu | Puthukodi Balan | ||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Black Stallion | Sebastian Zacharia | |
| Brahmasthram | Ramachandran | ||
| Vandae Maatharam | Dy. SP Mansoor | ||
| Ringtone | Rajasingam Thampuran | ||
| 2013 | Rhythm | ||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | The Priest | Joseph Alatt | Photo presence |
| Kaaval | Kuzhiyil Chandy | Photo presence | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Vasanthakala Paravai | Inspector | |
| 1992 | Naangal | Rathnaswamy | |
| Suriyan | Koopu Konar | ||
| 1993 | Gentleman | Chief Minister | |
| 1994 | Pathavi Pramanam | R. K. (Rajakumar) | |
| 1996 | Sengottai | Thirumoorthy | |
| Selva | Vaappa | ||
| 1997 | Vaimaye Vellum | Perumal | |
| Love Today | Inspector Vasudevan | ||
| Periya Idathu Mappillai | Chinna Thambi | ||
| 1998 | Golmaal | Karnal Rajappa | |
| En Uyir Nee Thaane | Rajasekhar | ||
| 1999 | Poomagal Oorvalam | Sengodan | |
| Aasaiyil Oru Kaditham | Anand's father | ||
| 2000 | Simmasanam | Thambidurai | |
| Kushi | MP Ambareesh | ||
| Maayi | MLA Sundarapandiyan | ||
| 2001 | Thaalikaatha Kaaliamman | Raghavan | |
| 2002 | Red | Sarathy | |
| Bala | Pasupathi | ||
| Sri Bannari Amman | Vellangiri | ||
| 2003 | Nadhi Karaiyinile | Mohammed Khan | |
| 2004 | Jai | Vajravelu | |
| Campus | Sathyaseelan | ||
| 2005 | Sukran | Judge Needhi Manikkam | |
| Manthiran | Local Gangster | ||
| 2006 | Aathi | Pattabhi | |
| Kalinga | Chanakya | ||
| 2007 | Manase Mounama | Aadhi | |
| 2008 | Vambu Sandai | Malayali Doctor | |
| Tharagu | Encounter Specialist | ||
| Thenavattu | Minister | ||
| 2009 | Karthik Anitha | Krishnamoorthy | |
| Malayan | M. R. K. Vedachalam | ||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Khushi | Gudumba Satti | |
| 2002 | Aadi | Nagi Reddy | |
| 2003 | Naaga | Home Minister | |
| Aayudham | Varadaraju | ||
| Dil | Nandini's grandfather | ||
| Okkadu | Siva Reddy | ||
| Simhadri | Kerala Chief Minister | Cameo | |
| Seetayya | Sivayya's father | ||
| Praanam | Special Appearance | ||
| 2004 | Koduku | Basava Punnayya | |
| Arya | MP Avataram | ||
| Arjun | Govindarajulu | ||
| Gudumba Shankar | Kumaraswamy's Uncle | ||
| 2005 | Balu | ||
| Bunny | Chief Minister Gudumba Chatti | ||
| Veerabhadra | Zamindar | ||
| 2007 | Yogi | ||
| Vijayadasami | Kodanti Koteshwar Rao | ||
| 2008 | Kalidasu | Home Minister | |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Don | Sadhu Shetty | ||
| Annavru | ||||
| 2006 | Student | |||
| 2008 | Nee Tata Naa Birla | |||
| 2009 | Maccha | JK |