Jayan

Jayan was an Indian actor and stunt performer who appeared in more than 150 Malayalam films, primarily as an action star. He is considered as the first and most successful action hero of Malayalam cinema. He started his film career as a child artist in films like Afsana, Munna, Aar Paar, Do Bigha Zamin and Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke. He was launched as a leading man by AVM in films like Bhabhi, Barkha and Bindiya, but he established himself as a comedian since the film Brahmachari. He played memorable roles in films like Sholay, Purana Mandir, Andaz Apna Apna and Soorma Bhopali, which he also directed. He was known for his versatility and ability to sing in different genres and languages. He introduced yodelling in Tamil playback singing and sang many songs in the Madras Bashai dialect. He died in a helicopter crash on 16 November 1980, while filming a stunt scene for the movie Kolilakkam at Sholavaram, Chennai.