Murali Gopy
Murali in 2012
Born	Muralikrishnan Gopynathan Nair (1972-03-04)4 March 1972 (age 53) Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala, India
Occupations	Actor screenwriter journalist singer author lyricist music composer
Years active	2004–present
Spouse	Anjana Pillai (m. 1999–2015)
Children	2
Father	Bharat Gopy
Website	mgvanguard.blogspot.in

Muralikrishnan Gopynathan Nair, professionally credited asMurali Gopy, is an Indian actor, screenwriter, playback singer, lyricist, journalist, author, and music composer who works inMalayalam films.^[1][2] He has written films such asEe Adutha Kaalathu,Left Right Left,Tiyaan,Kammara Sambhavam,Lucifer,L2: Empuraan. He has won numerous awards including theFilmfare Awards andSouth Indian International Movie Awards.

Murali Gopy joinedThe New Indian Express in 1995, immediately after completing PG in Journalism at Institute of Journalism,Thiruvananthapuram, and worked as sub-editor and reporter there. Later, he joinedThe Hindu, as sub-editor and Features Editor. He then shifted base to UAE, and became chief sub-editor with Arab-Allied Media, Dubai, for the sports magazinesCleanbowled andSports Today.^[3] In 2008, he was appointed chief editor ofMSN India Entertainment. In 2012, he resigned the job to be more active in films. His writings on various topics can be found in his blogmgvanguard.blogspot.in.^[4]

Murali is a screenwriter and short story writer. He published his first short story "Ayur Rekha" inKalakaumudi in 1991 at the age of 19. He has often stated that he started writing stories to bring a smile to his father, thespianBharat Gopy, who was debilitated by a massive stroke in 1986.^[5]Murali Gopiyude Kadhakal, a compilation of his stories, has been published byMathrubhumi Books, the third edition of which is now running.^[6][7] His NovellaPsychotic Daivam, Psychedelic Swargam, Psychiatric Manushyan was published byDC Books. He has also sketched illustrations forThe Hindu,Kalakaumudi andDC Books.

Murali Gopy made his debut as a screenwriter, actor and singer in theLal Jose movieRasikan (2004). The 2012 filmEe Adutha Kaalathu, scripted by Murali, is considered a pathbreaker in Malayalam cinema, for its innovative method of weaving story threads together.^[8] It was opined to be "the cinema of 21st century" by stalwart writer N. S. Madhavan.^{[9][10][11][12]} His next screenplay was forLeft Right Left, also directed byArun Kumar Aravind. It is asocial thriller set in three periods – the 60s/70s, the 80s/90s and the present. The movie, which opened to excellent reviews on its release, has since then been looked upon as a cult classic.^[13][14][15] The 2017 movieTiyaan, written by him was noted for its bold theme that focused on the current socio-political scenario in India.Kammara Sambhavam, scripted by him, combines black humour with satire and spoof. He scriptedLucifer, starringMohanlal, and directed byPrithviraj Sukumaran which received extra positive reports and went on to become one of the quintessential blockbusters of Malayalam Cinema, balancing content and entertainment. His scriptTheerppu is note-worthy as an allegorical depiction of majoritarianism.^[16] The year 2025 marks the release ofAnanthan Kaadu, a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual film penned by him, following the huge commercial success ofL2: Empuraan which was the second installment of Lucifer, even after receiving mixed to negative reviews.

Murali's debut acting role inRasikan was as the villain Kala Bhaskaran. He returned on-screen as Dr. Alex Verghese inBhramaram. His notable performances include the role of Ajay Kurien, an impotent and abusive husband inEe Adutha Kaalathu, Che Guevara Roy, a partially paralyzed left activist inLeft Right Left, Father Michael Plathottathil a young priest inKanyaka Talkies, the double role as Dr.Hari Narayan and Ravi Narayan in the psychological thriller1 by Two, the die-hard romantic Siddharth inLukka Chuppi, Devassy Pappan, an 80-year-old patriarch inPa Va, Mahashay Bhagvan, a self-proclaimed Godman inTiyaan, Madhava Das, the husband of Kamala Das (Madhavikkutty), inAami, and Chellappan, the raw, rustic and retro character from P.Padmarajan's literary world inKaattu. As an actor, Murali has been praised for his attention to minute details and realistic acting style.^[17] His nuanced portrayal of Thomas Bastin IPS in the popular movieDrishyam 2was widely acclaimed. His onscreen portrayals have won him many accolades including the61st Filmfare Awards South for The Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Known to be greatly selective, Murali Gopy has worked only in a limited number of movies since his foray into the film industry in 2004, with each role striking a distinctive note.^[18]

Murali has rendered songs for many films. His "The LRL Anthem" inLeft Right Left, "Pakalinu Veyil" in1 by Two, "Kalippu" inPremam and "Bham Bham Shiv Bole" inTiyaan, were super hits. He has wonAsiavision Movie Award for The New Sensation in Singing for "LRL Anthem". He rendered a song for the film Ananthan Kaadu. He also sang for the film Dheeram and he has lent his voice to a song in the film Pet Detective.

Murali Gopy ventured into lyrics writing with the song "Neti" inTiyaan, which describes the path to spiritual enlightenment. He has also written theLucifer anthem song "Empuraane", which was sung byUsha Uthup.^[19] He penned the theme song of the movieTheerppu called "Raavil"and the track "Ghode Pe Aaya". InL2: Empuraan, he wrote the songs "Kaavalaai Chekavar" and "Azrael".He penned the song “Vedicha Theeyaal” for the film Ananthan Kaadu.

Murali Gopy made his debut as a music composer with the song ‘Raavil..’ and ‘Ghode pe aaya..’for the movie ‘Theerppu’, which he also scripted and produced.^[2]

Murali was born as the son of the famous actorBharath Gopi and Jayalakshmy inThiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He was married to Anjana Pillai, and has two children, Gowri and Gowrav. Anjana died at the age of 38, on 26 April 2015 after suffering a heart attack.^[20]

Murali has launched a website in memory of his father Bharath Gopi.^[21]

• 2024 – Bharata Kesari Puraskaram, awarded by NFU, Muscat
• 2022 – Chalachitra Ratna Puraskar, awarded by M.S.Subbulakshmi Foundation
• 2019 – Ramu Kariat Award for the most popular screenwriter^[22]
• 2019 – Kalajyothi Award^[23]
• 2014 – Amrita Film Award for The Best Actor in Supporting Role^[24][25]
• 2014 –South Indian International Movie Awards for The Best Actor in Supporting Role^[26]
• 2014 –61st Filmfare Awards South for The Best Actor in a Supporting Role^[27]
• 2014 – Jaihind Film Award for The Best Script^[28]
• 2014 – Yuva Award (2012–2013)^[29]
• 2013 – Thikkurissi Sukumaran Foundation Award for The Best Supporting Actor
• 2013 – Nana Film Award – Man of the Year^[30]
• 2013 –Asiavision Movie Award for The New Sensation in Singing
• 2013 –Asiavision Movie Award for The Best Screenplay
• 2013 – Santosham South India Film Awards for The Best Supporting Actor
• 2013 – Jaycey Foundation Award – Special Award
• 2013 – Jaihind Film Award – Special Jury Award
• 2013 –Vanitha Film Award for The Best Anti-Hero
• 2013 –Asianet Film Award for The Best Villain
• 2013 – Reporter Film Award for The Best Supporting Actor
• 2012 – P. Bhaskaran Foundation Award for The Best Story
• 2012 – Nana Film Award for the Best Script Writer
• 2012 –Asiavision Movie Award for The Best Anti-Hero
• 2012 –Asiavision Movie Awards for The New Sensation in Script
• 2012 – Mohan Raghavan Award for The Best Script Writer
• 2009 – The Sathyan Memorial Film Award for The Best Supporting Actor^[31]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toMurali Gopy.

• Murali Gopy atIMDb
• Murali's blogvanguardvgm – the first to last, a compilation of his articles.

• Living people
• 21st-century Indian male actors
• Malayalam screenwriters
• Journalists from Kerala
• Male actors in Malayalam cinema
• Indian male film actors
• Screenwriters from Thiruvananthapuram
• South Indian International Movie Awards winners

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