Captain Raju

Raju Daniel (27 June 1950 – 17 September 2018), better known by his stage name Captain Raju, was an Indian army officer and actor. He acted in more than 600 films in various languages, including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and English. He was best known for his performances in character roles, and as a villain. He also appeared in television serials and advertisements.

Personal life
He was the third of the seven children of K. G. Daniel and Annamma, and was born at Omallur, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. He has four sisters named Elizabeth, Saji, Sophy, Sudha and two brothers, George and Mohan. Both his parents were teachers at Govt. UP School Omalloor. He had his primary education from Govt. UP School Omalloor and NSS English Medium School, Omalloor. He was a volleyball player. He pursued a degree in Zoology from Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta. After graduation, Raju joined the Indian Army as an officer at the age of 21 and rose to the rank of a captain. He worked as marketing chief at glucose and starch manufacturing company, Lakshmi Starch, at Mumbai after serving 5 years of Indian army and later he left the job to act in films. While working at the company, he started acting in amateur drama troupes like Prathiba theatres in Mumbai. He later moved to films. He made his directorial debut with the Malayalam film Etha Oru Snehagatha in 1997. His second film as director was Mr. Pavanayi 99.99 (2012) in which he reprised the role of Mr. Pavanayi, his character from the 1987 Malayalam film Nadodikkattu.

He was married to Prameela, and had a son, Ravi. He was a Christian by birth, but also respected other religions, and even visited the others' shrines. He was a native of Puthenpeedika, Pathanamthitta. He was observed very dynamic and vibrant during his childhood. He was also an active member of St. George Orthodox Church, Palarivattom. His parents' wish was to see him become a Priest, about which he expressed at several places. He was a staunch Orthodox believer and his contributions for the Church and the society are noteworthy.

Death
A healthy, strong man during his youth, Raju's health was severely affected by a car accident, which occurred in 2003 near Thrissur. He was seriously injured, and was hospitalised for a long period. Though he survived, he lost the vision in his left eye, and also had problems with walking. Still he was active in films and public.

During his last days, Raju suffered from various ailments like diabetes and hypertension. He had a heart attack in 2015, for which he had treatment. He suffered a massive stroke during a plane journey to New York and was admitted to a hospital in Muscat. He was brought back to Kochi for further treatment, and later left to his home. He died aged 68 on 17 September 2018 at his residence in Palarivattom, Kochi. He was given full state honours.

English

 * Cotton Mary (1999) ... Inspector Ramiji Raj

Telugu

 * Balidanam (1982)
 * Shatruvu (1990)
 * Rowdy Alludu (1991)
 * Rowdy Inspector (1992)
 * Kondapalli Raja (1993)
 * Jailor Gaari Abbayi (1994) as Bapineedu
 * Gandeevam (1994)
 * Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam (1994)
 * Maatho Pettukoku (1995)
 * Amma Koduku

Tamil

 * Nalla Naal (1984)
 * Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (1987)
 * Jallikattu (1987)
 * Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan (1987)
 * Dharmathin Thalaivan (1988)
 * En Jeevan Paduthu (1988)
 * Soora Samhaaram (1988)
 * Jeeva (1988)
 * Dharmathin Thalaivan (1988)
 * Chinnappadass (1989)
 * En Rathathin Rathame (1989)
 * Thaai Naadu (1989)
 * Naangal (1992)
 * Sevagan (1992)
 * Ulle Veliye (1993)
 * Priyanka (1994)
 * Rajakumaran (1994)
 * Veluchami (1995)
 * Ninaithu Ninaithu Parthen (2007)

Hindi

 * Kashmakash (2011)

Malayalam

 * Masterpiece (2017) ... As Himself & Pavanayi
 * Aashamsakalode Anna (2015)
 * Nikkah (2015)
 * Masala Republic (2014)
 * Mumbai Police (2013)
 * Abhiyum Njanum (2013) ... Devanandan
 * Ezhamathe Varavu (2013) ... Chief Archaeologist
 * Mr. Pavanayi 99.99 (2012) ...Mr. Pavanayi
 * Theruvu Nakshatrangal (2012)
 * China Town (2011) ... Vincent Gomez
 * Arjunan Sakshi (2011)
 * Yakshiyum Njanum (2010)
 * Sanmanasullavan Appukuttan (2009)
 * Pazhassi Raja (2009) ... Mancheriyil Unnimootha
 * Twenty:20 (2008)
 * Kovalam (2008)
 * Mayakazhcha(2008)
 * Nasrani (2007) ... John
 * Goal (2007)
 * The Speed Track (2007) ... College Principal
 * Aanachandam (2006)
 * Thuruppu Gulan (2006)
 * Ashwaroodan (2006) ... Vishwanathan
 * Red Salute (2006)
 * Kilukkam Kilukilukkam (2006) ... Col. Panikkar
 * Vargam (2006) ... Aboobakar Haji
 * Boyy Friennd (2005) ... D. J. P.
 * Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (2005)
 * Sathyam (2004) ... Police Officer
 * Wanted (2004/I) ... Police Officer
 * Kottaram Vaidyan (2004)
 * War & Love (2003) ... Brigadier Nair
 * Pattalam (2003) ... Colonel
 * Soudamini (2003)
 * C.I.D. Moosa (2003) ... Karunan Chanthakkavala
 * Thandavam (2002) ... DYSP Rajiv
 * Punyam (2002)
 * Swarna Medal (2002) ... Ravi Varman
 * Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha(2002) ... Kannappa Chekavar
 * Sharja To Sharja (2001) ... Kanaran Kappithan
 * Rakshasa Rajav (2001)
 * Bhadra (2001)
 * Sraavu (2001) ... Mohan Roy
 * Valliettan (2000) ... Ilias Mohammad
 * Snehapoorvam Anna (2000) ... Father of Lover boy
 * Aayiram Meni (1999) ... Unnithan
 * Ezhupunna Tharakan (1999) ... Chacko Tharakan
 * The Godman (1999)
 * Captain (1999) ... Ranger Jayadevan
 * My Dear Karadi (1999)
 * Stalin Sivadas (1999) ... Narendran
 * Olymbian Antony Adam (1999)
 * Pranaya Nilavu (1999) ... Hajiyar
 * Thachiledathu Chundan (1999) ... Velupillai
 * Udayapuram Sulthan (1999) ... Abdul Rahman
 * Daya (1998)
 * Ilavamkodu Desam (1998) ... Udayavarmman
 * Mattupetti Machan (1998) ... Mattupetti Mahadevan
 * Sooryavanam (1998)
 * Itha Oru Snehagatha (1997)
 * Sankeerthanam Pole (1997)
 * Kalyana Sowgandhikam (1996) ... Neelakantan Vaidyar
 * Agni Devan (1995) ... Pareeth
 * Thakshashila (1995)
 * Special Squad (1995)
 * Puthukottyile Puthu Manavalan (1995) ... Madassery Thampi
 * Sankeerthanam (1994)
 * Gentleman Security (1994) ... Rajkumar
 * Kabuliwala (1994) ... Circus Owner
 * Uppukandam Brothers (1993)
 * Rajashilpi (1992)
 * Advaitham (1992) ... Pathrose
 * Kavacham (1992)
 * Mahaan (1992)
 * Ragam Anuragam (1991) ... A K Menon
 * Kankettu (1991) ... Peter Lal
 * Neelagiri (1991)
 * Chakravarthi (1991) ... Ashwani Prasad
 * Kalamorukkam (1991)
 * Samrajyam (1990) ... Krishnadas
 * Appu (1990) ... Suresh
 * Arhatha (1990) ... Shekhu
 * Kadathanadan Ambadi (1990)
 * Nale Ennundekil (1990) ... Narendran
 * Enquiry (1990)
 * Nammude Naadu (1990) ... SP Devarajan
 * No.20 Madras Mail (1990)
 * Saandhram (1990) ... Police Officer
 * Vyooham (1990) ... Khalid
 * Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989) ... Aringodar
 * Aazhikkoru Muthu (1989)
 * Kali Kariyamayi: Crime Branch (1989) ... Balachandran
 * Agnipravesham (1989)
 * My Dear Rosy (1989)
 * Miss Pamela (1989)
 * Mahaaraajaavu (1989)
 * Mudra (1989)
 * Anagha (1989) ... Nalini's Father
 * Innale (1989) ... Circle Inspector of Police
 * August 1 (1988) ... Nicholas
 * Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988) ... Dy SP Prabhakara Varma
 * Aranyakam (1988) ... Police Officer
 * Evidence (1988) ... Damu
 * Chaaravalayam (1988) ... Basheer
 * Vadagagunda (1988)
 * Innaleyude Bakki (1988)
 * Simon Peter Ninakku Vendi (1988) ... Ramji
 * Adimakal Udamakal (1987) ... Sathyan
 * Oru Sindoora Pottinte Ormaykku (1987) ... C.K. Gupta
 * Amritamgamaya (1987) ... Suku
 * Nadodikkattu (1987) ... Mr. Pavanayi
 * Vrutham (1987) ... Victor
 * Neeyallengil Njan (1987) ... Balachandran
 * Aattakadha (1987)
 * Naalkkavala (1987)
 * Yaagagni (1987)
 * Theekkattu (1987) ... Basheer
 * Oru Sindoorapottinte Ormakku (1987)
 * Ee noottandile Maharogam (1987)
 * Ithrayum Kaalam (1987)
 * Ivare Sookshikkuka (1987)
 * Kalathinte Shabdham (1987) ... Devarajan
 * Aavanazhi (1986) ... Sathyaraj
 * Nimishangal (Yamam) (1986) ... Khalid
 * Hello My Dear: Wrong Number (1986) ... Fernandez
 * Prathyekam Sradhikkukka (1986) ... Shukkoor
 * Karimpin Poovinakkare (1985) ... Pappan
 * Ee Sabdam Innathe Sabdam (1985) ... Gopinathan
 * Janakeeya Kodathi (1985) ... Ayyappan
 * Nayakan (1985) ... Rahim
 * Ezhu Muthal Onpathu Vare (1985)
 * Soundarya Pinakkam (1985)
 * Aazhi (1985)
 * Sammelanam(1985) ... Basheer
 * Shantham Bheekaram (1985)
 * Kiraatham (1985)
 * Premalekhanam (1985) ... Babu
 * Shabadham (1984) ... Prasad
 * Unni Vanna Divasam (1984)
 * Pavam Krooran(1984) ... Dasan
 * Thirakal (1984) ... Chandran
 * Minimol Vathikkanil (1984).....CID Inspector
 * Oru Sumagaliyude Kadha (1984) ... SI Vijayan
 * Koodu Thedunna Parava (1984)
 * Sapadham (1984)
 * Kurishuyudham (1984) ... Magician d'Souza/Lorence
 * Kadamattathachan (1984) ... Neeli's lover
 * Theere Pratheekshikkathe (1984) ... Mohan
 * Athirathram (1984) ... Rajesh
 * Changatham (1983) ... Prem
 * Ponthooval (1983)
 * Coolie(1983) ... Vikraman
 * Asuran (1983)
 * Rathilayam (1983) ... Appukuttan
 * Aana (1983) ... Ranger Narendran
 * Nadi Muthal Nadi Vare (1983)
 * Passport (1983)
 * Iniyenkilum (1983) ... Prasad
 * Mortuary (1983) ... Raju
 * Coolie (1983) ... Vikraman
 * John Jaffer Janardhanan (1982) ... Renji
 * Pooviriyum Pulari (1982)
 * Chilathivala (1982) ... Aravindan
 * Thadakam (1982)
 * Raktham (1981)

As Director

 * Mr. Pavanayi 99.99 (2012)
 * Itha Oru Snehagatha (1997)

Television

 * Serials
 * Nizhalukal (Asianet)
 * Crime Branch (Kairali TV)
 * Paliyathachan (Doordarshan)
 * Pandavapada (Dooradarshan)
 * Vinodasala (Doordarshan)
 * alavudeenum albhuthavilakum (Asianet)
 * Dracula (Asianet)
 * Unniyarcha (Asianet)
 * Mahathmagandhi colony (Surya TV)
 * Sreemahabhagavatham (Asianet)
 * Vallarpadathamma (Shalom)
 * Makal
 * Shows
 * Airtel Challenge as Quiz master (Jeevan TV)