Santhosh Kesavan Nayar (12 November 1960 – 5 May 2026) was an Indian actor who appeared in Malayalam cinema. He acted in more than 100 films, primarily in antagonistic roles.
Early life and education Santhosh hailed from Trivandrum, India. He was the only son of retired headmaster C. N. Kesavan Nayar and P. Rajalakshmiamma, who is also a retired teacher. He grew up along with his two sisters in Pettah, Thiruvananthapuram. Santhosh was brought up by his maternal grandparents, advocate K. S. Chellappan Pillai and B. Parukuttyamma, when his parents left for Ethiopia on deputation.
Nayar completed his schooling at St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Trivandrum. He initially enrolled in an engineering programme at Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, but discontinued after one year. He subsequently pursued undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in mathematics at Mahatma Gandhi College, where he also served as editor of the college magazine. He was involved in campus politics through the Democratic Students Union (DSU), the student wing of the National Democratic Party (NDP), and served as its president. Concurrently, he was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, where he held organisational roles, including shikshak and mukhya shikshak.
Both his sisters turned became gynaecologists while he wanted to pursue a career as an actor.
Film career Santhosh began his acting career while completing his final year of bachelor's degree, securing his first role through an audition. He made his debut in the Malayalam film Ithu Njangalude Katha (1982), directed by P. G. Viswambharan, in which he portrayed one of five principal protagonists. The film was a commercial success. In subsequent years, Nayar portrayed "semi-villain" roles.
His performance as a villain in Ivide Thudangunnu (1984), another box office success, marked a turning point, leading to a series of similar roles. He also played a recognizable villain role in April 18 the same year. Despite this emerging typecasting, he played leading roles in Kothi Theerumvare and Ithu Nalla Thamasha (both 1985). In an interview with Mathrubhumi, he stated that at the peak of his career he had worked in as many as 42 films within a single year. He played a positive role in Yuvajanotsavam (1986). Nayar's breakthrough performance came with the role of Lawrence in Irupatham Noottandu (1987), which significantly enhanced his public recognition. He played a comedic role in Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam (1989).
In 2005, Nayar took a four-year hiatus from acting in an effort to avoid typecasting. Following his return, he was cast in comparatively minor roles, often limited to a few scenes. Nevertheless, he played noticeable characters in Bus Conductor (2006), Simhasanam (2012), and Thiruvambadi Thamban (2012). He later played a humorous role in Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath (2013). The 2026 film Bharathanatyam 2 Mohiniyattam was his last release while alive. The film was a commercial success.
Personal life Santhosh married Subhasree V., a high-school teacher by profession; they had a daughter, Rajasree S. Nayar.
On 5 May 2026, Santhosh died of a heart attack while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Enathu following a car collision at Puthussery, Adoor. He was 65.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1982 Ithu Njangalude Katha Joseph 1983 Nanayam Babu's friend Pinnilavu Basheer 1984 Ivide Thudangunnu Rajan April 18 Jacob Nishedhi Sunny Oru Sumangaliyude Katha Kurishuyudham Simon Sandyakkenthinu Sindhooram 1985 Iniyum Kadha Thudarum Sandeep Ee Lokam Evide Kure Manushyar Ivide Ee Theerathu Raju Kandu Kandarinju College student Sajan Orikkal Oridathu Baby Thomas Eeran Sandhya Freddy Louis Aanakkorumma Vikraman Snehicha Kuttathinu Vinod Ithu Nalla Thamasha Vjayakrishnan/Kuttappan Vasantha Sena Mathews Dheivatheyorthu Shaji Akalathe Ambili Edwin Upaharam Vinod Angadikkappurathu Raghu Kaattuthee Kiraatham Murali Omanikkan Ormavaikkan Kothi Theerumvare 1986 Ithile Iniyum Varu Kasim Nandi Veendum Varika Yuvajanotsavam Nissar Ente Shabdham Abu Snehamulla Simham Hari S. Menon Cabaret Dancer 1987 Irupatham Noottandu Agni Muhurtham Subair Maanasa Maine Varu 1988 Charavalayam Karumban Ayitham Govindankutty Oru Muthassi Katha Karuppayyan Oru Vivaada Vishayam james 1921 Keshavankutty 1989 Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal Chandukkutty Kuruppu Crime Branch Shaji Najangalude Kochu Doctor Rajeevan 1990 Kadathanadan Ambadi Thambikkutti Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam Rambo's assistant 1991 Koodikazhcha Viswanatha Panikkar Vishnulokam Sathyan Koumara Swapnangal Kilukkam Police Inspector Kizhakkunarum Pakshi Satheeshan 1992 Thalastaanam Bharathan Maanyanmar Sathyan Aardram Moideen Kauravar Maathu Valayam Radhachakram 1993 Customs Diary Babu Dhruvam Hassan Ammayane Sathyam Hassan 1994 Gaandeevam Sainyam Avan Ananthapadmanaabhan Paalayam Thommi Chukkan Kadal Dadha Pappan 1995 Sindoora Rekha Chellappan Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary Chacko Maanthrikam Beeran Chantha Thumboli Kadappuram 1999 Crime File SI Karthav My Dear Karadi Sathyanathan The Godman Moideen 2000 Kaathara 2002 Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan CameoKrishna Gopalakrishna Jangathnathan 2004 Runway Achayan Natturajavu Alex Freedom Vellinakshathram Vettam Karunan 2005 Kochi Rajavu Karimbarakkal Divakaran Chandrolsavam Sahadevan The Tiger Rajath Naidu Bus Conductor 2006 Lion SI Prathapa Varma Mahasamudram Rival Player Chess Crime Branch 2007 Khaki Sukumaran Alibhai Shankaran2008 Pramukhan 2009 I. G. – Inspector General ADGP Yoonus IPS 2010 Kaaryasthan Puthezhathu Vijayan Pokkiriraja Divakaran Valiyangadi SI Abdul Jabbar Koottukkar CR Rajan 2011 Venicile Vyapari SI Karikkan George 2012 Bhoomiyude Avakashikal Simhasanam Balan Mayamohini Sub Registar Thiruvambadi Thamban Parameshwaran Madirasi Udumpi Mani 2013 Nakhangal Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath DYSP George Sound Thoma Raghava Panicker Sringaravelan Avarachan Muthalali GingerSI Ajith Kumar 2014 On The Way 2014 Cousins Rajarajan 2016 Pa.Va 2018 Drama 2021 Aarattu Bhadran 2023 1921: Puzha Muthal Puzha Vare Abdullakutty 2026 Bharathanatyam 2 Mohiniyattam Temple committee member
Television Swapnam – Asianet Sreekrishnan – Surya TV
References
External links
Santhosh at MSI