Devan Sreenivasan (born 8 January 1952) is an Indian film and television actor and politician. He is known for his character roles, mostly as villain, in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and a few Kannada and Hindi films. He has starred in over 380 films.[citation needed]

Devan
Born
Devan Sreenivasan

(1952-01-08) 8 January 1952 (age 72)
Other namesS. Devan
Alma materSt. Thomas College, Thrissur
Occupations
  • Actor
  • producer
  • politician
Years active1983–present
Political partyBharatiya Janata Party
SpouseSuma
Children1
RelativesRamu Kariat (uncle and father-in-law)

He began his film career as a producer with Vellam (1985). Before its release, he turned into an actor. He made his breakthrough in the 1987 film New Delhi. He played lead roles in films like Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam (1987), Oozham (1988), Simon Peter Ninakku Vendi (1988) and Aranyakam (1988). In his later career, he mostly played prominent supporting roles, mostly as villain. His well-known such films include Vietnam Colony (1992), Ekalavyan (1993), Honest Raj (1994), Baashha (1995) and Indraprasdham (1996).

Devan founded the political party Kerala People's Party in 2004. He relaunched the party as Nava Kerala People's Party in 2020, which was merged with the Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) in 2021. In 2023, he was made the state vice-president of BJP in Kerala.

Early life

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Devan was born on 8 January 1952 in Thrissur, India.[1] His father, Sreenivasan, was a public prosecutor and his mother, Lalitha, was a doctor. He has three siblings, Shobha, Sheela and Sureshbabu. Malayalam filmmaker Ramu Kariat was his uncle. Devan completed his schooling at Government Model Higher Secondary School, Thrissur.[2] He took bachelor's degree from St. Thomas College, Thrissur, during his college time he was a member of Kerala Students Union (KSU); his parents were Indian National Congress-leaning. His father wanted him to be a police officer, but he wanted to be in army. After graduation, he tried at the National Defence Academy, but was not selected. He went to Madras (now Chennai) in search of a job and later took post-graduation in Master of Business Administration.[3]

He was engaged in several business ventures before starting his career in movies.[4]

Career

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During his time in college, he used to read books a lot. He found possibility for a film in N. N. Pisharody's novel Vellam, he approached director Hariharan, who agreed with him, M. T. Vasudevan Nair wrote the screenplay, it was the first and last screenplay of his not based on his own story. Devan produced the film, filming was halted midway due to financial crisis. He made his acting debut in Ashatapathi to raise fund to resume filming, it was followed by a number of acting projects. After which, shooting resumed, but upon release, the film failed at the box office. In an interview, he said that Vellam (1985) is the best film come out from Hariharan-M. T. Vasudevan Nair combination. It was in the 1987 film New Delhi that he first appeared as a villain, since then he was typecast as a villain in Malayalam cinema. However, in Telugu cinema, he is known for character roles. Devan recalled in an interview that his best roles were in Telugu and Tamil cinema.[3]

Devan started his acting career in supporting roles, after being approached by a producer at Spencer Plaza in Chennai.[5] His most notable movies are Ekalavyan, Baasha and Indraprasdham. He has also acted in several TV series.[6]

Personal life

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He was married to his uncle Ramu Kariat's daughter, Suma. The couple has a daughter named Lakshmi.[7] His wife Suma died on 12 July 2019 due to H1N1 infection.[citation needed]

Politics

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Devan was active in Kerala Students Union (KSU) in his college days. In 2004, he founded the Kerala People's Party, a political party in Kerala.[8][9] He contested and lost in the Wadakkanchery Assembly constituency by-election in the same year as an independent candidate. He contested in the 2006 assembly election from Trivandrum West as an independent candidate, but lost. In a 2014 interview, Devan revealed his admiration for politician Ramakrishna Hegde.[3] In 2020, he formed a new party named Nava Kerala People's Party.[10] In 2021, it was merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the presence of Home Minister of India Amit Shah. In 2023, Devan was made the state vice-president of BJP in Kerala.[8]

Filmography

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Malayalam

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1980s
Year Title Role Notes
1983 Naadam
Ashtapadi
Sairandri
1984 Aagraham
Aashamsakalode
Vellam Producer
Paavam Krooran
1985 Jwalanam
Shathru Rajasekharan
Kiraatham Artist
Kaiyum Thlayum Purathidaruthe Mahadevan
Madhuvidhu Theerum Mumbe Sunny
1986 Oru Yugasandhya Balachandran
Padayani SI Rajashekaran
Niramulla Ravulkal Soman
Panchagni Prabhakaran Nair
Vartha Revenue Minister Philip
Ithu Oru Thudakkom Mathram
1987 Adimakal Udamakal Vijayan
Aadhya Rathrikku Munbu
Vrutham Devadas
Amrutham Gamaya Raghu
Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal Josephkutty
Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam Ravi
Chanthayil Choodi Nilkkunna Pennu
Naalkavala Dr. Devadas
New Delhi Shankar
1988 Ormayil Ennum Suku
Innaleyude Baakki Adv. Rajasekharan
Mattoru Pranaya Kadha
Simon Peter Ninakku Vendi Simon Peter
Vida Parayaan Mathrem
Mrithyunjayam Issac
Vaisali
Oozham
Athirthikal Guest appearance
Uyaran Omanikkan
Mattoru Pranayakatha
Onninu Purake Mattonnu Inspector Mohandas
Oru Vivaada Vishayam
Aranyakam Naxal activist
David David Mr. David Mohan
Dhinarathrangal Unni
Theerthinariyam Thirayude Vedhana
Abkari Excise officer Jayaprakash
1989 Bhadrachitta Haridasan
Jeevitham Oru Raagam
Adhipan Mohan
Ulsavapittennu Balan Master
Ashokante Aswathikuttikku
Ramji Rao Speaking Urumees Thampan
Nair Saab Kumar
Naduvazhikal Mathukutty
Jagratha Actor Viswam
Unnikrishnante Adyathe Christmas Jameskutty
Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha Unnikonnar
Maharajavu
1990s
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Iyer the Great Gabria
Brahmmarakshassu
Marupuram Francis
Judgement
Shesham Screenil
Keli Kottu
Vyooham Raveendranath
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu Rosario Fernandez
Randaam Varavu DYSP Balu
Malootty Wilson Cherian
1991 Thudar Katha Prince Ravi Varma
Kilukkam Kannan
Anaswaram Police officer
1992 Police Diary
Poochakkaru Mani Kettum H/o Kunjukutti Amma
Grihapravesam
Manthrikacheppu John Samuel
Ponnaramthottathe Rajavu
Kaazhchakkappuram Harikumar
Kauravar George Mathew MLA
1993 O' Faby John
Aalavattam Dr. Narayankutty
Ghoshayaathra Jamal
Gandharvam Meleveetil Vishnu Menon
Vietnam Colony Adv. Thomas
Ekalavyan Mahesh Nair
Yaadhavam Mohan Thampi
Jackpot Jayan
1994 Chief Minister K. R. Gowthami K.V Chakko
Ezhuthachan
Rudraksham Patel
Pingami Vijay's father
Cabinet
1995 The King
Sundarimaare Sookshikkuka Raju
Hijack Swami/Ravindra Varma
Chantha Alexander
Agnidevan Rama "Appan" Varma
Nirnayam Dr. Menon
1996 Mahathma James Kutty
Indraprastham Paul B. Issac
Dominic Presentation
Sulthan Hyderali
Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan Idikkula Abraham
1997 Janathipathyam Vishakom Thirunal Prathapa Varma
Poomarathanalil Narendran
Ranger Professor Devan
Gangothri DCP Alexander IPS
Bhoopathi Lawrence
Masmaram Munna Bhaai
Kannur
Snehasindooram Rajeevan
Sankeerthanam Pole
Five Star Hospital Varma
1998 Harthaal Dharam Pal Yadav / Vincent Cavelli
Sooryaputhran Deva Varma
Chitrashalabham Dr. Raveendranath
Achaammakkuttiyude Achaayan Dr. John Zecharia
Ayal Kadha Ezhuthukayanu Mohanan
1999 Pallavur Devanarayanan Brahmadattan
Captain John Samuel
Jananayakan Sathyapalan
Niram Er. Jacob / Job
Garshom Hakkim
Red Indians CI Harisankar
F. I. R. Brigadier Giridhar Baruva
2000s
Year Title Role Notes
2000 Arayannangalude Veedu Rajendranath Menon
Millennium Stars
Indriyam Rajaraja Varma Thirumanas
Nisheedhini Madhu
Rapid Action Force
The Judgement
Sradha Dr. Balachandran
The Warrant Mohan Gandhi Raman
Priyam Joshua
Summer Palace Raveendran
2001 Akashathile Paravakal Karunan
Onnam Raagam
Nee Enikkayi Mathrem
Ee Raavil
Praja DGP Guest Appearance
Sraavu Captain Napoleon
Sathyameva Jayathe DCP Mathew Tharakan IPS
Sahayathrikakku Snehapoorvam
Goa Sam Alex
Achaneyanenikkishtam Andrews Issac
Jwalanam
2002 Khakhi Nakshatram George
Kalachakram
Kanmashi Chandramohan
Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha Chandu Chekavar
Vaanibham
Niramulla Swapnagal
Desam Unni
Akhila Balan
India Gate Vishwanadhan
2003 Mr. Brahmachari
2004 Priyam Priyankaram
Nirappakittu
Ennittum Chandu
Udayam
2005 December Issac
Finger Print Adv. Murali Mohan
Bunglavil Outha
Bus Conductor
2006 Pathaaka Rajan Nadar
Highway Police DSP Somanathan
Red Salute Kolappalli Govindan
Narakasuran Badri
Bada Dosth Minister K.D
Balram vs. Tharadas DGP Madhavadas IPS
Vargam Ummen Chacko
Thuruppugulan Chandrasekhara Menon
2007 Paranju Theeratha Visheshangal Ashok
Detective DGP
Mauryan
Athisayan Kuwait Nazar
Nasrani Thampan Joseph
July 4 Viswanathan
2008 Bullet Yamuna Prasad
Parunthu Mahesh
Novel
Cycle
2009 My Big Father Colonel Varghese
I. G. – Inspector General DGP Varghese Philip IPS
Gulumaal: The Escape Emir Harish Rahman
Ivar Vivahitharayal Treesa's father
The Trigger
Pathaam Adyaayam
Banaras Balakrishnan Nair
Nizhal
Pazhassi Raja Kannavathu Nambiar
Black Dalia Raveendren
2010s
Year Title Role Notes
2010 Yugapurushan Madhavan
Koottukar Krishnan Nair
Nizhal
24 Hrs Vikramaditya Varma
Kaanakazchakal
Nanthuni
Naale
Arayan
Drona 2010 DIG Beeran Sahib IPS
2011 Avan
Manushyamrugam Olikkal Kochupaulose
The Filmstaar Minister Thamban
Manikyakkallu Ramachandran Master
Christian Brothers Home Minister Sudhakaran
Mohabbath Kabeer
Ithu Nammude Katha Vijayarakhavan
Janapriyan Meera's father
Veeraputhran Adv. Krishnan
2012 Yaathrakkoduvil David
Aakasmikam
Doctor Innocent Aanu Dr. James
Namukku Parkkan Varghese
Yakshi – Faithfully Yours Appan Thampuran
Grand Master ADGP Vijayan IPS
The King & the Commissioner IG Shankar Ramadas IPS
Manthrikan Shenoy
Simhasanam Bhargavanunni
2013 Weeping Boy Jail Superintendent
Immanuel Kuwait Kumaran Cameo
Aan Piranna Veedu
Red Rain
Pakaram
Manikya Thampurattiyum Christmas Carolum
Blackberry Minister Ramachandran
Breaking News Live
3 G
Last Bus 8:30 PM
2014 Law Point Mohan
Mannar Mathai Speaking 2
How Old Are You? Setharaman Iyer
Mammiyude Swantham Achoos
Vasanthathinte Kanal Vazhikalil
Dial 1091
Gamer
Uthara Chemmeen Kunjaayi
Solar Swapnam
Avatharam Dr. Mathew Philip
Asha Black Srinivas
Ettekaal Second
Mr. Fraud Sri Krishna Varma
2015 Wonderful Journey
Raag Rangeela
Female Unnikrishnan Madhavan Nair
Namasthe Bali Anto Chakkalakyal
Samrajyam II: Son of Alexander Surya Das
Rudra Simhasanam Neelakanda Raja
Oru New Generation Pani
Rasam Shekhar Menon
Calling Bell
Plus Or Minus
Just Married
Marutha
Village Guys
2016 Marupadi
Daffedar
Angane Thanne Nethave Anjettanam Pinnale
Pretham Principal of National Law College
Ore Mukham Older Aravindan
2017 1971: Beyond Borders IB Director Nair IPS
Vishwa Vikhyatharaya Payyanmar Fa.Baby John
Hello Dubaikkaran
Pranayatheertham
2018 Marubhoomiyile Mazhathullikal
Ippozhum Eppozhum Sthuthiyayirikkatte
Koodasha
Aravindante Athidhikal Geethalakshmi's husband
Koode Ouseppachan
2019 Vijay Superum Pournamiyum Kanaran
Pattabhiraman Rajasekhara Varma
Ganagandharvan Sivadasan
1948 Kaalam Paranjathu
Mangalath Vasundhara
Jack & Daniel GK Nair
A for Apple Ahmed Haji
Oru Caribbean Udayippu
Munthiri Monchan Madhavan Kutty
2020s
Year Title Role Notes
2020 Love FM
Big Brother ADGP Prathapachandra Menon
2021 Kshanam Vincent
2022 Kalachekon
Mahi
2024 Bad Boyz

Tamil

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Year Title Role Notes
1993 Prathap Michael Raj
1994 Jai Hind Sriram
Captain Jaya
Honest Raj Varadharajan
1995 Baashha Kesavan
Nandhavana Theru Adhiseshan
Ragasiya Police ACP Dinesh
1997 Mannava Suriya
Ullaasam Chatterjee
Thadayam Pandian
Veerapandi Kottayiley
My India
1998 Iniyavale Meena and Manju's uncle
1999 En Swasa Kaatre ACP
Siragugal Viswa Sun TV telefilm
Rajasthan
Periyanna Varadharajan
Nenjinile Samraj
Manam Virumbuthe Unnai Ramesh
Time Seetharaman
2000 Vaanathaippola Dharmalingam
Ennamma Kannu
Vaanavil Major Saravanan
2001 Rishi Minister Devaraj
Citizen DGP Devasagayam IPS
Shahjahan Mahee's father
2002 Maaran Central Minister
Punnagai Desam Rajarathinam
Raja Priya's father
Roja Kootam
April Maadhathil Shwetha's father
2003 Aahaa Ethanai Azhagu Ashok
Thithikudhe Anu's father
Indru Ramprasad
2004 Campus R. K. Devaraj
Jai Nandhini's uncle
Adi Thadi
Perazhagan DSP Nair
Shock Dr. Shyam
Arivumani Mariyanayagam
Arasatchi Karunakaran
Bose Col. Sharma
Gomathi Nayagam
2005 Sivakasi Rathnavelu
2006 Aathi Shankar
Aacharya
Vanjagan Arunachalam
Vathiyar Factory Owner
Manasukkule
2008 Aegan Ram Prasad
2010 Thairiyam
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa Joseph in the film Jessie
2011 Kanchana MLA Shankar
Konjam Sirippu Konjam Kobam
2012 Murattu Kaalai
2013 Chennaiyil Oru Naal Dr. Senthil
Masani Swami
2014 Nee Naan Nizhal
Appavi Katteri
2018 Imaikkaa Nodigal CBI Officer Narayan Gowda

Telugu

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Year Title Role Notes
1992 Dharma Kshetram Pandu
1993 Aasayam Reddappa
Rowdy Mogudu Sarvarayudu [11]
Ratha Sarathi
1994 Police Brothers
1995 Street Fighter Sagar [12]
1996 Sampradayam Bhupathi Raja [13]
Akka! Bagunnava?
1997 Subhakankshalu Balaramaiah
Pelli Chesukundam Krishna Prasad
2000 Maa Annayya
2002 Mounamelanoyi Mounika's father
2003 Okariki Okaru Swapna Rao's father
2004 Sivaram
Chennakesava Reddy Judge Ravi Reddy
Anandamanandamaye Bhuvana's father
Kaasi GK
Kushi Kushiga
2007 Desamuduru Narayan Patwari
2010 Vareva
Ye Maaya Chesave Joseph
2012 Dhamarukam Vishwanath
Sarocharu Vasudha's father
2014 Heart Attack Madhusudhan
2015 Soukhyam Shailu's father
2017 Raju Gari Gadhi 2 Vice Chancellor Chandra Shekar
2019 Saaho IG Devan Varma

Kannada

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Year Title Role Notes
1995 Deergha Sumangali
1997 Rough and Tough

Hindi

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Year Title Role Notes
1988 New Delhi Shankar
2019 Saaho IG Devan Varma

Television

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Year Title Channel Role Language Notes
1995 Chinna Chinna Aasai - Uravu Sun TV Suresh Tamil Television debut
2001 Porutham Surya TV Malayalam Won, Social Organisation for Media and Arts (SOMA)-Best Actor
2002 Sarada Asianet Malayalam
2004 Orma Asianet Nandan Menon Malayalam
2005 Kudumbini Asianet Nandakumar Malayalam
2005-2006 Krishnakripasagaram Amrita TV Kamsa Malayalam
2006 Lakshyam Asianet Malayalam
2006 Kaliveedu Surya TV Malayalam
2006-2008 Swamy Ayyappan Asianet Raja Rajasekhara Pandiyan/Pandhalam Rajavu Malayalam Won, Asianet Television Award 2008-Best Supporting Actor
2006-2008 Kalyani Surya TV Malayalam
2007 Manasariyathe Surya TV Malayalam
2006 Daya Kairali TV Major Malayalam
2007 Mounam Nombaram Kairali TV Malayalam
2008 Srikrishnaleela Asianet Vilwamangalam Swamiyar Malayalam
2008-2009 Kalasam Sun TV Tamil
2009 Dream City Surya TV Mulkattil group CEO Menon Malayalam
2009 Swamy ayyappan Sharanam Asianet Raja Rajasekhara Pandiyan/Pandhalam Rajavu Malayalam
2009-2010 Autograph Asianet Principal P.Sethuramayyer Malayalam
2010 Ponnum poovum Amrita TV Devan Malayalam
2010 Indhraneelam Surya TV Malayalam
2010-2011 Veera Marthanda Varma Surya TV Thiruvithamkoor Rajavu Malayalam
2012 Ramayanam Mazhavil Manorama Dasharatha Malayalam
2013 Sri Padmanabham Amrita TV Thiruvithamkoor Rajavu Malayalam
2021–Present Kanyadanam (2021 TV series) Surya TV Ananthan Malayalam Come back to television

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Devan". The Times of India. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  2. ^ "നന്മ തിരിച്ചറിയുന്ന കൂട്ടുകാരന്‍". Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "കോണ്‍ഗ്രസ്‌ നേതാക്കള്‍ എന്നെ ഭയപ്പെടുന്നു". Mangalam. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  4. ^ "In the thick of real action". The Hindu. 16 March 2004. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  5. ^ Bhandaram, Vishnupriya (1 October 2011). "Developing the negative". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2018 – via www.thehindu.com.
  6. ^ "Sathi Karyat passes away". Entertainment.oneindia.in. 2 September 2010. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  7. ^ വേഷങ്ങളിലെ ദേവസ്പര്‍ശം [The touch of god in the roles]. Malayalam.webdunia.com (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Actor Devan made Kerala BJP vice president". The New Indian Express. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Kerala Peoples' Party launches website". Hindustan Times. 10 April 2009. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  10. ^ Express News Service (12 November 2020). "Nava Kerala People's Party unveils official flag". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  11. ^ v9 Videos (4 May 2024). ROWDY MOGUDU | EXCLUSIVE TELUGU FULL MOVIE | MOHAN BABU | VIJAYASHANTI | VANISREE | V9 VIDEOS. Retrieved 7 June 2024 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Street Fighter (1995)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  13. ^ FilmiClub. "Sampradayam (1996) Complete Cast & Crew". FilmiClub. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
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