Jayan was born M. Krishnan Nair on 25 July 1939 in Kollam, Kerala. Before films, he served in the Indian Navy for 15 years, rising to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. His disciplined background and physical strength would later define his screen presence.
He entered Malayalam cinema relatively late, but his impact was immediate. Known for his impeccable physique, distinctive dialogue delivery, and brash confidence, he captured the imagination of audiences, quickly becoming the industry’s first action hero. His breakthrough came with films like Panchami (1976), and he went on to star in a wide variety of roles, from anti-heroes to larger-than-life macho characters.
At the height of his popularity, Jayan launched into high-risk action. He performed most of his stunt sequences himself, no stunt doubles. In Sarapancharam (1979), his sensual charisma and fearless style became legendary.
But his dedication to realism and perfection ultimately cost him his life. On 16 November 1980, he was filming the climactic stunt of Kolilakkam in Sholavaram (near Chennai). The scene involved him standing on a racing motorcycle, grabbing onto a helicopter’s skid, and fighting the villain mid-air. After a satisfactory first take, Jayan asked for a second, which tragically ended in disaster. The helicopter lost control on the retake, crashed, and Jayan fell. He was critically injured, rushed to a hospital, but passed away around 6:30 PM.
At the time of his death, Jayan was at the peak of his career, he had starred in around 116 films in just six years, according to his legacy. His sudden death left a huge void in Malayalam cinema. Many of his pending films were completed posthumously, and his persona continued to captivate fans.
Even decades later, his influence lives on. His bold on-screen style, heroic stunts, and signature dialogue delivery have made him a pop-culture icon in Kerala. Mimicry artists, television shows, and movie homages regularly echo his voice and persona, proof that his larger-than-life legacy refuses to fade.
