Thilakan, the veteran actor of Malayalam films,passed away in the wee hours of Sep 24,2012 succumbing to a multiple organ failure at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram at the age of 77.The title is a reference to his role in the 1990 malayalam film Kattukuthira (Wild Horse) based on SL Puram's drama by the same name.
The great actor was a product of the theatre culture in kerala and later moved to the world of movies to make a mark there.His first role was in the movie Periyar.He got noticed with the strong performance in K G George directed movie Yavanika (The Curtain).His last release before his death was the Dulquer Salman starrer superhit movie,'Ustad Hotel'.
Thilakan had won the National Award for Best Actor in a supporting role in 1988.In 1998,he won the Kerala State Award for his role in the movie 'Perumthachan',but lost the National award in a close context to Amitabh Bachchan for Agneepath, which he criticized by saying Amitabh didn't merit the award.Thilakan was no stranger to controversies by denying receipt of the welfare fund from 'Amma',malayalam movie artists association and calling the the malayalam superstars and the artist association a mafia,which resulted in him being unofficially banned in malayalam movies.
He however went to theatre again and made a strong comeback in 2011 in the movie 'Indian Rupee', which more or less undid the ban.The dialogue said to him in the movie,"where were you till now?" was greeted with loud cheers which showed his popularity among the viewers.
A renowned actor, some of his highly appreciated roles were in the movies, Kireedam, Sphadikam,Moonnam Pakkam,Indian Rupee etc.
Thilakan was honoured by Padmasree in 2009.His body was kept for public viewing at the Victoria Jubilee Memorial Town Hall in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.