Thilakan was an Indian film actor who was very popular in Malayalam film industry. In his acting career spanning over 50 decades, he has acted in more than 200 Malayalam films and he was affectionately called Perumthachan. Thilakan was born on 15th July 1935 in Plankamon in Ayroor Panchayat of Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. He started his career with the Malayalam film Periyar in 1973 and he was able to get some exposure only in 1979 with the film Ulkadal. He was shot to fame after his role as the father of Mohanlal in the film Kireedam. Some of the films that he has acted include Annum Innum Ennum, Ardhanaari, Simhasanam, Ustad Hotel, Makante Achan, Red Chillies, Pazhassi Raja, Kanmazha Peyyum Munpe, Yakshiyum Njanum, Kalabha Mazha, The Truth, Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal, Thachiledathu Chundan, Priyam, Aniyathi Pravu, Sphadikam, Santhanagopalan, Chenkol, Pingami, Moonnam Pakkam, Thaniyavarthanam, Ennennum Kannettante, Irakal, Pnchagni, etc.

He has also played many negative roles like underworld don in Randam Bhavam, Karma and Kaalal Pada. He has done some comical roles in films like Nadodikkattu, Pattanapravesham, Mookkilla Rajyathu, Kuttettan and Naaduvazhikal. The movies in which he has done the lead roles are Ekantham, Perumthachan, Santhanagopalam, Kaattukuthira, My Dear Muthachan, Mukhamudra etc. has won three National Film Awards and nine Kerala State Film Awards. The Government of India awarded him with the Padma Shri in 2009 for his contributions towards the arts.