Balan K Nair’s nephew, producer Vijayan Poyilkavu passes away

Koyilandy, Kozhikode: Film producer Vijayan Poyilkavu has passed away. He was 70. Vijayan was the nephew of legendary Malayalam actor Balan K Nair.

A railway employee who entered cinema

Vijayan Poyilkavu, also known as Kizhakke Keezhana Vijayan, produced popular films such as ‘Mainakam’ and ‘Ilanjipookkal’. His entry into the film industry was influenced by his uncle, the renowned actor Balan K Nair, who was the brother of Vijayan’s mother Lakshmi Amma.

Vijayan developed a passion for cinema while working at the Integral Railway Coach Factory (ICF) in Perambur, Chennai. Recognising this, Balan K Nair introduced him to the noted director KG Rajasekharan, under whom Vijayan began as an assistant director.

In 1984, he produced his first film ‘Mainakam’, directed by KG Rajasekharan, starring Sukumaran, Menaka, Balan K Nair, Kuthiravattam Pappu, and Ratheesh. Following its success, he produced ‘Elanji Pookkal’ in 1986, directed by Sandhya Mohan, which also became a box-office hit. This film featured Ratheesh, Mukesh, Shivaji, Shankar, Lissy, and newcomer Sandhya. Vijayan also produced ‘Vasarashayya’ (1993).

According to his brother Ashokan, Vijayan left his railway job once he became active in the film industry. He also produced dubbed versions of films from other languages into Malayalam.

Vijayan is survived by wife Pushpa; children Amala, Anila, and Akash (UK); sons-in-law Unnikrishnan (Chennai) and Praveen (UK); and siblings Ashokan (Payyoli Cycles), Vinod Kumar (Assistant Commissioner, Special Branch), Renuka, and Pushpalatha.