M. G. Soman (28 October 1941 – 12 December 1997) was an Indian actor and former Indian Air Force officer who appeared in Malayalam films. He was one among the leading star actors doing hero roles in Malayalam Cinema during the late 1970s and early 1980s. He has also done roles in Tamil films Aval Oru Thodar Kathai, Naalai Namadhe, Kumara Vijayam and Airport. However, in the late 1980s and 1990s, he switched to character and villainous roles.

M. G. Soman
Born
M. G. Somashekharan Nair[1]

28 October 1941
Thirumoolapuram, Thiruvalla, Kerala
Died12 December 1997
(aged 56)
Kochi, Kerala, India
SpouseSujatha (m. 1968-1997)
Children2[2]
Parent(s)K. N. Govinda Panicker
P. K. Bhavani Amma[1]
Military career
Allegiance India
Service / branch Indian Air Force

Early life

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He was born as Somashekharan Nair to Konni Kudukkillethu Veettil Govinda Panicker and P. K. Bhavani Amma, in Thiruvalla, Travancore, on 28 September 1941.[3] He had his primary education from Balikamadom H. S. S., Thiruvalla, St Thomas HSS Thirumoolapuram. While studying at seventh grade he started a drama troupe with his friend and performed drama Manaltharikal Garjikkunnu.[4] He did his pre-university degree at St. Berchmans College, Changanassery. He was also part of the Indian Air Force.

Film career

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Soman joined Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair's drama troupe Jayasree and then moved to the film industry. He worked at Kerala Arts Theaters and KPAC. Ramarajyam of Kerala Arts Theaters opened him a way to the movie industry. His first film was Gayatri directed by P. N. Menon in 1973. He acted in the role of a hero from 1976 to 1983 and later played the roles of villains, comedians and supporting roles. In 1977, his best known film was released under the direction of I. V. SasiItha Ivide Vare.[5] He soon rose to become the busiest actor in the industry. In 1978, Soman had acted in 44 films, which was till today kept as a record. After 1984, he had shifted from heroic roles to character roles, notably in films like Poochakkoru Mookkuthi. In 1997, Lelam, directed by Joshiy, was his last film and his performance as Aanakkattil Eappachan was greatly appreciated and received critical acclaim. He died on 12 December 1997 due to jaundice. He was 56.[6] He produced a Malayalam movie titled as Bhoomika in 1991 which was directed by I.V.Sasi, starring Jayaram, Suresh Gopi, Mukesh and Urvashi in lead roles.

Personal life

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Soman was married to Sujatha.[7] They have a son Saji Soman and a daughter Sindhu. His son Saji also acted in a few movies. Saji is married to Bindu and has a son Shekhar and a daughter Shivanghe. Sindhu Soman is married to Girish and has two daughters, Lekshmi Girish and Gayatri Girish.[8]

Awards

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Kerala State Film Awards:

Filmography

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1970s

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Year Title Role Notes
1973 Gayathri Rajamany
Mazhakaaru Gopi
Madhavikutty
Chukku
1974 Jeevikkan Marannupoya Sthree Balan
Pancha Thanthram Prince in the dance drama
Chattakari Richard
Rajahamsam Nanukuttan
Manyasree Viswamithran Ramesh
Thacholi Marumakan Chandu
Aval Oru Thodar Kathai Chandrasekhar Tamil Film
1975 Utsavam Bhargavan
Picnic Chudala Muthu
Chattambikkalyaani Kochu Thampuran
Pulivalu
Makkal
Ullasa Yaathra
Mattoru Seetha
Odakkuzhal
Bhaaryaye Aavashyamundu
Raasaleela
Dharmakshetre Kurukshetre
Thiruvonam Padmakumar
Mucheettukalikkarante Makal Priest
Sooryavamsham
Tourist Bungalow
Chuvanna Sandhyakal
Abhimaanam Venugopal
Malsaram
Naalai Namadhe Ravi Tamil Film
1976 Anubhavam Bosco
Ayalkkaari Suku
Sindhooram
Rajaankanam
Kaayamkulam Kochunniyude Makan
Amrithavaahini Sudhakaran
Madhuram Thirumadhuram Bhaskaran
Agni Pushpam
Swapnadanam Mohan
Paalkkadal Narendran
Kuttavum Shikshayum
Seemantha Puthran
Abhinandanam Sreedharan
Missi
Romeo
Swimming Pool
Vazhivilakku
Ponni Chellan
Pick Pocket Damu
Samasya
Surveykkallu
Aruthu
Mohiniyaattam Venu
Chennaaya Valarthiya Kutty
Pushpasharam
Pallavi
Kumara Vijayam Vinoth Tamil Film
1977 Guruvayoor Kesavan Unni
Innale Innu Thulasi's husband
Oonjaal Rajan
Sankhupushpam Gopi
Abhinivesham Venu
Muttathe Mulla Babu
Randu Lokam Balan
Ormakal Marikkumo Dr. Aravindan
Itha Ivide Vare Vishwanathan
Ammaayi Amma
Siva Thandavum
Ivan Ente Priya Putran
Chakravarthini
Sreedevi Chandrasekharan
Vishukkani Radhakrishnan
Akale Aakaasham
Saritha
Anjali
Lakshmi Rajan
Sneha Yamuna
Agninakshathram
Aparaajitha
Veedu Oru Swargam
Anthardaaham
Sujatha
Harshabashpam
Makam Piranna Manka
Muhoorthangal
Sooryakanthi
Tholkan Enikku Manassilla
Aasheervaadam
Panchamrutham
Swarnamedal
Vezhambal
1978 Mannu Damu
Aval Viswasthayayirunnu James
Aniyara
Rathinirvedam Krishnan Nair
Mattoru Karnan
Avalude Ravukal Chandran
Padmatheertham Karunan
Lisa Lakshmi's boss
Kalpavriksham Surendran
Nivedyam Dr.Gopakumar
Nakshatrangale Kaval
Iniyum Puzhayozhukum Prabhakaran
Eeta Gopalan
Kaathirunna Nimisham Gopi
Avalku Maranamilla
Mukkuvane Snehicha Bhootham Rajan
Maattoly Raghu
Velluvili Soman
Thanal
Aarum Anyaralla Prabhakaran
Priyadarshini
Vadakakku Oru Hridayam
Snehikkan Oru Pennu
Rajan Paranja Kadha
Premashilpi Soman
Hemantharaathri
Avakaasham
Rappadikalude Gatha
Njaan Njaan Maathram
Sathrathil Oru Raathri
Mattoru Karnan
Naalumanippookkal
Astamudikayal
Nakshathrangale Kaaval
Anumodhanam
Padmatheertham Karunan
Anubhoothikalude Nimisham
Orkkuka Vallappozhum
Adimakkachavadam Vasu
Ashokavanam
Theerangal
Randu Janmam
Jayikkaanaay Janichavan Vasu
Vishwaroopam
1979 Sayoojyam Balan
Edavazhiyile Poocha Minda Poocha Bhagyanath
Itha Oru Theeram Gopi
Vellayani Paramu Ithikkara Pakki
Chuvanna Chirakukal Johnny Issac
Rakthamillatha Manushyan Sivan
Manasa Vacha Karmana Dr. Venugopal
Prabhaathasandhya Gopi
Ezhamkadalinakkare Soman
Jeevitham Oru Gaanam Johny
Ivide Kattinu Sugandam Gopi
Neeyo Njaano Damu
Choola
Nitya Vasantham Balan
Yakshi Paaru Rajan
Pratheeksha Balan
Anubhavangale Nanni
Pathivritha
Lovely
Amrithachumbanam
Thuramukham Hamza

1980s

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Year Title Role Notes
1980 Chandra Bimbam
Kadalkkaattu Sreedharan
Muthuchippikal Sasi
Aniyaatha Valakal Balan
Prakadanam Jose
Pralayam Shivan Kutti
Aagamanam Venu
Raagam Thaanam Pallavi Jayachandran
Pavizha Mutthu Raveendran
Dooram Arike Venu/Fr. Michael
Puzha
Oru Varsham Oru Maasam
Thirayum Theeravum Mohan
Pappu
Akalangalil Abhayam Balachandran
Ithile Vannavar Gopinath
Ivar Leslie
Hridhayam Paadunnu
Daaliya Pookkal
Saraswathi Yaamam Ramankutty
Eden Thottam Thomaskutty
Avan Oru Ahankaari
1981 Vayal Govindankutty
Agni Yudham
Sphodanam Surendran
Paathira Sooryan Stephen
Kodumudikal Bava
Kadathu Ravi
Thaaraavu Narayanankutty
Swarangal Swapnagal Prabhakaran
Kolilakkam Kumar
Kathayariyathe Vishwanatha Menon
Raktham Dr. Venu
Itha Oru Dhikkari Raju
Sahasam
Manassinte Theerthayathra Aravindan
Enne Snehikkoo Enne Maathram
Vadaka Veetile Athithi
Ithihasam
Sambhavam
Visham SI Madhu
Veliyattam Vishwam
Vazhikal Yatrakkar
Sreeman Sreemathi
1982 Ethiraalikal Antony
Beedi Kunjamma Madhavan
Oru Vilippadakale Major Unnikrishnan
Raktha Sakshi
Thuranna Jail Rajan
Karthavyam Sreekumar
Sooryan Venu
Sree Ayyappanum Vavarum Raja Rajasekhara
Koritharicha Naal Vijayan
Aarambham Basheer
Preeyasakhi Radha
Dhrohi
Aayudham Inspector Williams
Ivan Oru Simham Peter
Aadharsam Mohan
Dheera Mohan
Shaari Alla Shaarada Venu
1983 Pinnilavu Dr. Gopi
Rathilayam Somen Thiruvalla
Mahabali Naradan
Aa Raathri All Kerala Abdu
Aattakalasam C.I Vijayan Cameo
Ee Yugam
Aadyathe Anuraagam Jayan
Kaathirunna Divasam Ravi
Sandhya Vandanam Sasi
Aana Manthi Raju
Thaavalam Balan
Deepaaradhana Damu
Nathi Muthal Nathi Vare Hamsa
Ahangaaram Vinod
Kolakomban Khalid
Pourasham Gopi
Kathi
Aadyathe Anuraagam Jayan
1984 Poochakkoru Mookkuthi Hari
Koottinilamkili Balachandran
Chakkarayumma Sayed Muhammed
Kodathy Venu
Thacholi Thankappan Khader
Nishedhi Rajasekharan
Minimol Vathicanil Doctor
Kadamattachan Pulimoottil Kariya
Krishna Guruvayoorappa Villumangalam Swami
Arante Mulla Kochu Mulla Panchayath President
Poomadhathe Pennu Somashekharan
Oru Thettinte Katha
Aayiram Abilashangal
Ente Gramam
Idavelakku Sesham Vinodh
Aagraham
Sreekrishna Parunthu Shekharan Thampi
1985 Boeing Boeing Lambodharan Pillai
Vasantha Sena Sidhartha Menon
Aanakkorumma Police officer
Uyarum Njan Nadake Master
Premalekhanam Kesavan Nair
Pathamudayam B. G. Menon
Mulamoottil Adima Moideen Special Appearance
Koodum Thedi Menon
Njan Piranna Nattil Gopinath
Adhyayam Onnu Muthal Narayanan
Aa Neram Alppa Dooram Sudhakaran
Vannu Kandu Keezhadakki Mangalath Viswanatha Menon
Orikkal Oridathu Raghavan
Snehicha Kuttathinu Sudhakaran
Aazhi
Gaayathridevi Ente Amma Mr. Menon
Avidathe Pole Ivideyum Ravi
Iniyum Kadha Thudarum Krishnan
Onathumbikkoru Oonjal
1986 Thalavattam Dr. Raviandran
Sayam Sandhya Sivaprasad's Brother
Panchagni Mohandas
Kunjattakilikal Vishwanatha Menon
Sunil Vayassu 20 Somashekharan
Sukhamo Devi Dr. Ambikadmajan Nair
Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam Rajendran's Uncle
Iniyum Kurukshetrum Jayamohan
Adukkan Entheluppam Williams
Nandi Veendum Varika Ananthan Nair
Veendum Alex
Ambadi Thannilorunni M G Menon
Ithramathram Colonel Rajasekharan
Amme Bhagavathi
Malarum Kiliyum
Cabaret Dancer
Nilaavinte Naattil Venu
1987 Ivide Ellavarkkum Sukham Major Shekhara Varma
Vazhiyorakazchakal Ravi
Vrutham Charlie
Vilambaram Balagopalan
Thoovanathumbikal Mathew Joseph Cameo
January Oru Orma Menon
Jaalakam Appu's Father
Cheppu Principal Sathyadas
Kathakku Pinnil Palodan
Rithubhedam Receiver
Nadodikkattu Himself Cameo
Idanazhiyil Oru Kaalocha Prem Sankar
Yagagni Nambeesan
Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal John Samuel
Mangalya Charthu Thomas
1988 1921 Shekharan Varma
Chithram Jail Superintendent Sathyanathan
Aryan Arumukhan
Manu Uncle DySP
Janmandharam Panikkar
Daisy Balakrishna Menon
Aparan Mohandas, M.D
Onninu Purake Mattonnu Reghu
Abkari Kunjappan
Mukthi Hameed
Moonnam Pakkam Kurup
Oru Muthassi Katha Mayinkutty
Vellanakalude Nadu Prabhakaran
Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu C.P. Menon
Varnam Manu's Brother
Puthiya Karukkal Udaya Varma
1989 Douthyam Col. Madhavan Nair
Vandanam Commissioner Chandrasekharan
Aavanikunnile Kinnaripookkal Jayamohan Photo Appearance
Crime Branch Pushkaran
Jaithra Yathra V P Menon

1990s

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Year Title Role Notes
1990 No.20 Madras Mail R.K. Nair
Varthamana Kalam Ravunni Mashu
Aye Auto Police Commissioner
Akkare Akkare Akkare Police Commissioner
Randam Varavu R. Sreedharan Nair
Rajavazhcha Kuttan Nair
Mukham Home Minister
His Highness Abdullah Kesava Pillai
Arhatha Chandrashekharan Nair
Appu Police Officer
Midhya Appunni
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu Kuwait Mani
1991 Adhwaytham Shekharan
Inspector Balram Sahadevan
Neelagiri Shekhara Menon
Ulladakkam Mathachan
Njan Gandharvan Gopalakrishnan Nair
Ente Sooryaputhrikku Vinod Shankar
Bhoomika Raghavan Nair
Mahazar Adv. Venugopal
1992 Thalastaanam Raghavan
Aardram Jail Warden
Apaaratha Singapore Pillai
Mahanagaram Kumaran Master
Congratulations Miss Anitha Menon Shankara Menon
Kallanum Polisum SP
1993 Mafia Deputy City Police Commissioner M.T. Govindan
Airport Senior minister Krishnamoorthy Tamil Film
Arthana Madhavan Nair
1994 Kabooliwala Munna's Father
Commissioner IG Balachandran Nair IPS
Pakshe Shivadasa Menon IAS
Gentleman Security Unnithan
Chukkan Parol Padmanabhan
1995 Rajakeeyam Bharatha Varman
Nirnayam Dr. David Kurishinkal
Kaattile Thadi Thevarude Ana Chief Minister
The King Alexander Thevalliparambil Cameo
Sundarimare Sookshikkuka C.P. Raveendran
1996 Indraprastham K. N. Nair
Rajaputhran Vishwanathan
Hitler College Professor
Sugavaasam Ganapathi Iyyer
1997 Oru Yathramozhi Santhosh
Chandralekha Dr. Menon
Varnapakittu Kuruvilla
Lelam Aanakkaattil Eappachan
  • Kuthirakal (Doordarshan)
  • Sahanam (Doordarshan)

References

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  1. ^ a b "CiniDiary". CiniDiary. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  2. ^ "Manorama Online | Movies | Nostalgia |". Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  3. ^ ചന്ദ്രശേഖരന്‍, എ. "സോമന്‍:അസ്തമിക്കാത്ത നാട്യനിറവ്". Malayalam News (in Malayalam). Webdunia. Archived from the original on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  4. ^ "ശങ്കു. എം.പി". CiniDiary (in Malayalam). p. 51. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  5. ^ "ÎøÃÎòˆÞJ çÕ×BZ". Manoramaonline.com (in Malayalam). 13 March 2014. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  6. ^ M G, Soman (12 December 1997). "Noted actor Soman dead". Rediff on the Net. Archived from the original on 30 May 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  7. ^ "സോമേട്ടന്‍ മരണം പ്രവചിച്ചിരുന്നു". Mangalam.com (in Malayalam). 11 December 2013. Archived from the original on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  8. ^ "സോമനില്ലാതെ പതിനഞ്ചു വര്‍ഷം". Mangalam.com (in Malayalam). Alan Technologies. 9 December 2012. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
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