Film actor Murali debuted in films with the lead role in
Njattadi, directed by
Bharath Gopi. But the film was never released. He then got chance to act in
Chidambaram, directed by the National Award-winning filmmaker
Aravindan. He then acted in
Meenamasathile Sooryan and
Panchagni, directed by
Lenin Rajendran and
Hariharan, respectively.
Panchagni got released first and it gave him the break in his acting career. He soon established himself as a powerful actor in the Malayalam film industry.
Aadhaaram, directed by George Kittu, was the first film to be released with Murali in a lead role. He acted in a variety of roles, ranging from lead roles to villain roles, and won accolades. Some of his other notable films include
Nee Ethra Dhanya,
Dhanam,
The King,
Pathram,
Chakoram,
Veeralippattu,
Achan Kombathu Amma Varambathu,
Meenamasathile Sooryan,
Swarnam,
Kaarunyam and
The Truth"Amaram". Also worth-mentioning are his remarkable portrayals as a toddy tapper in Malayogam and as trade union leader in Varavelppu. Murali acted in the longest TV commercial ever on Indian TV, spanning 150 seconds. This was for
Air Deccan in 2005.
Stage actor Murali was actively involved with
Natyagriham, a drama venture started by actor
Narendra Prasad. Murali won critical acclaim for his portrayal of
Ravana in the Malayalam play
Lanka Lakshmi, which was based on C. N. Sreekantan Nair's novel of the same name. He was also associated with
G. Sankara Pillai in doing theatre plays.
Author Murali authored five books. His book on
Kumaranasan,
Abhinethavum Asan Kavithayum (''Actor and Asan's Poetry
) won him the Sangeetha Nataka Academy award. One of his other critically acclaimed books was Abhinyathinte Rasathanthram
(Chemistry of Acting'').
Politician Murali was a member of
Communist Party of India (Marxist) and contested the 1999 Lok Sabha polls from the
Alappuzha constituency as a
Left Democratic Front candidate, but lost to
V. M. Sudheeran of
Indian National Congress. ==Death==