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K. K. Sudhakaran
| K. K. Sudhakaran
| |
|---|---|
| Born | Kayamkulam, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor
Producer Theatre Artist Socio-cultural Activist |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Education | Civil Engineering |
| Known for | Samuel Achayan in Innale (1990) |
| Notable work | Malayalam cinema, Theatre in Gulf region |
| Awards |
|
K. K. Sudhakaran is an Indian actor, producer, theatre artist, and Gulf-based socio-cultural activist. He was introduced to Malayalam cinema by legendary filmmaker P. Padmarajan through the 1990 blockbuster Innale, in which he portrayed the villainous character Samuel Achayan, later popularly known as “Achayan” in the Malayalam film industry. He received an honorary Doctorate in Arts from Global Peace University, USA. He was awarded the Gulf Kalashri Puraskaram by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Government of Kerala, for excellence in theatre activities in the Gulf region.
Early life and education
Dr. K. K. Sudhakaran was born in Kayamkulam, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India. A qualified civil engineer by profession, he began his career in 1971 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, working with international consultants and contractors.
In 1986, he moved to Doha, Qatar, where he served as Senior Contracts Manager and Administrator with Lotus Trading & Contracting Company for over 30 years. He returned to Kerala after retiring in April 2016.
Career
Theatre
Sudhakaran is a seasoned theatre artist who has directed and acted in numerous stage plays across Kerala, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar. His early achievements include winning the Best Actor State Award at the All Kerala Polytechnic Drama Competition in 1969 and the Best Actor Award at the first Abu Dhabi Malayali Samajam Drama Competition in 1972.
From 1986 onwards, he played an active role in socio-cultural and theatrical movements within the Gulf region. Notable dramas directed and performed by him include Swapnangal Nashtappettavar (1988), Pramani, Thevaram, and Devasparsam, the latter produced in association with Charisma Arts.
Pravasi Doha
Pravasi Doha was established in 1994 by prominent members of the Malayalam-speaking community in Qatar, including Babu Mether, M. A. Rahman, P. Semusudheen, Sam Basheer, and K. K. Sudhakaran. Sudhakaran was elected as its first Chairman, leading a 15-member managing committee.
Eminent writer M. T. Vasudevan Nair and noted critic Prof. M. N. Vijayan served as patrons. Under Pravasi Doha, the Basheer Puraskaram, a literary award instituted in memory of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, has been awarded annually for 23 years by the Pravasi Trust, Kochi.
Nadaka Sauhrutham Doha
On 24 March 2015, Sudhakaran played a key role in forming Nadaka Sauhrutham Doha, an initiative dedicated to theatre promotion. The group conducted month-long theatre camps and staged productions such as Marupiravi for the FCC Drama Competition and Kaimughangal on World Theatre Day, 27 March 2016.
Filmography
Feature films
- Innale (1990) – directed by P. Padmarajan
- Mukhachithram (1991) – directed by Suresh Unnithan
- Dhruvam (1992) – directed by Joshy
- Aardhram (1992) – directed by Suresh Unnithan
- Bhagyavaan (1996) – directed by Suresh Unnithan
- Evar (2003) – directed by T. K. Rajeevkumar
- Loveland (2015) – directed by Haja Moinu
- Kuppivala (2016) – directed by Suresh Pillai
- Kanal (2016) – directed by M. Padmakumar
- Marubhoomiyile Aana (2016) – directed by V. K. Prakash
- Valliyum Thetti Pulliyum Thetty (2016) – directed by Rishi Sivakumar
- Theerpugal Virkappadu (2018) – directed by Deepan
- Thimiram (2019) – directed by Sivram Mony
- Kaduva (2021) – directed by Shaji Kailas
- Anweshippin Kandethum (2023) – directed by Darwin Kuriakose
- Oru Kadha Nalla Kadha (2024) – directed by Prasad Valachery
- Snehapoorvam (2024) – directed by Nandan Nair
- Kadal (2025) – directed by Sreekumar
Television
- Manal Nagaram (2000)
- Kayamkulam Kochunniyude Makan (2016)
- Chandana Mazha (2017)
- Mamatti Kutty (2017)
- Parasparam (2017)
- Ayalathe Sundari (2017)
- Thonyaksharangal (2018)
- Sasneham (2021)
- Manjil Virinja Poovu (2021)
Telefilms
- Unarvu (2001)
- Amma Ariyan (2012)
- Kadhayariyan (2017)
Memberships
- Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) – Life Member
- Association of Television Media Artistes (ATMA) – Life Member
Awards and recognition
- 1969 – Best Actor, All Kerala Polytechnic Drama Competition
- 1973 – Best Supporting Actor, Abu Dhabi Malayali Samajam Drama Competition
- 1989 – Nadaka Prathibha Puraskaram, Doha Chorus
- 2004 – Pravasi Prathibha Award, Gulf Returnees Association, Thiruvananthapuram
- 2006 – Thirumuttam Excellence Award
- 2014 – Gulf Kalashri Puraskaram, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
- 2018 – Pravasa Kalashri Puraskaram, Muscat Arts, Oman
- 2019 – Honorary Doctorate in Arts, Global Peace University, USA
- 2022 – Raj Narayanji Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award
- 2024 – Asian Excellence Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cinema
- 2025 – Vidya Ratna Award
- 2025 – Asian Film Award for Best Actor (Kadal)
- 2025 – Rashtra Seva Puraskar, IAFFI (Snehapoorvam)
- 2025 – Vijaya Gaurav Samman
Personal life
Dr. K. K. Sudhakaran was married to Seethalekshmi Sudhakaran, who is deceased. He has two children: Advocate Sudhalekshmi and Sudheer Sudhakaran, an engineer working in Australia.
Positions held
- Chairman, Pravasi Doha (1994)
- Senior Contracts Manager, Lotus Trading & Contracting Company, Doha
- Theatre mentor and socio-cultural organiser in the Gulf region