THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Noted still photographer-turned-actor N L Balakrishnan, 72, died at the Medical College Hospital here on Thursday night where he was undergoing treatment for the last few months.
Narayayan Lakshmi Balakrishnan alias N L Balakrishnan was born at Powdikonam here in 1943. After securing Diploma in Painting from the College of Fine Arts here, he chose a career in still photography.
He was introduced to the film industry as still photographer by producer Shobhana Parameswaran Nair through P Bhaskaran-directed ‘Kallichellama.’
He had worked as still photographer for around 150 movies in Malayalam and Hindi, including Kodiyettam, Swayamvaram, Vaasthuhara, Pokkuveyil, Spadikam, Chidambaram, Kanchana Sita and Nishad.
Balakrishnan was the still photographer in around 11 movies directed by G Aravindan. He had associated with directors such as John Abraham, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, P Padmarajan, K G George, Lenin Rajendran, Bharathan and Bhadran. He later stepped into the acting career with the Rajeev Anchal-directed ‘Ammanam Kili.’ He had acted in around 100 movies including Sphadikam, Pattana Pravesham, Maanathe Kottaram, Nanma Niranjavan Sreenivasan, Kakkothikavile Appoopan Thadikal, Pakal Nakshathrangal, Thirakkadha, Joker, Shikkar, Da Thadiya, Vasthuhara, Maalooty and Orkappurathu. He was last seen on the big screen in Mammooty-starrer ‘Daivathinte Swantham Cleatus’, released in 2013.
Earlier, Balakrishnan had worked as news photographer with Kerala Kaumudi daily. He was honoured with Chalachitra Prathibha award instituted by Kerala Film Critics Association in 2012 and award of Kerala Lalithakala Akademi in 2014.
He is survived by wife Nalini and children - Kunjumol, Jayabalan and Jayakrishnan. The cremation was held on his residential premises on Friday.
