Captain Raju

Raju Daniel (27 June 1950 – 17 September 2018), better known by his stage name Captain Raju, was an Indian army officer and pan Indian 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
Raju was the third of the seven children of K. G. Daniel and Annamma, and was born at Omallur. 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 a short-service commissioned officer at the age of 21 and was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery and rose to the rank of a captain. Captain Raju is an alumnus of the prestigious Officers Training Academy, Chennai. 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, who gave increased importance to fitness, thanks to his military career, Raju's health was severely affected by a car accident, which occurred in October 2003 at Kuthiran 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 on 25 June 2018, 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 in the morning of 17 September 2018 at his residence in Palarivattom, Kochi. He was buried with full state honours at Puthenpeedika St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Pathanamthitta on 21 September.

English

 * Cotton Mary (1999) as Inspector Ramiji Raj

Kannada

 * Jai Karnataka (1989)
 * Nyayakkaagi Naanu (1989)

Telugu

 * Balidanam (1982)
 * Marana Sasanam (1987)
 * Shatruvu (1990)
 * Rowdy Alludu (1991)
 * Rowdy Inspector (1992)
 * Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam (1992)
 * Kondapalli Raja (1993)
 * Tholi Muddu (1993)
 * Police Lockup (1993)
 *  Amma Koduku (1993)
 * Jailor Gaari Abbayi (1994) as Bapineedu
 * Gandeevam (1994)
 * Mondi Mogudu Penki Pellam (1994)
 * Maatho Pettukoku (1995)
 * Pichchodi Chetilo Raayi (1999)

Tamil

 * Nalla Naal (1984)
 * Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (1987)
 * Jallikattu (1987)
 * Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan (1987)
 * Dharmathin Thalaivan (1988)
 * En Jeevan Paduthu (1988)
 * Soora Samhaaram (1988)
 * Sudhanthira Nattin Adimaigall (1988)
 * Dhayam Onnu (1988)
 * Jeeva (1988)
 * Chinnappadass (1989)
 * En Rathathin Rathame (1989)
 * Thaai Naadu (1989)
 * Naangal (1992)
 * Sevagan (1992)
 * Sivantha Malar (1992)
 * Ulle Veliye (1993)
 * Madurai Meenakshi  (1993)
 * Priyanka (1994)
 * Rajakumaran (1994)
 * Veluchami (1995)
 * Ninaithu Ninaithu Parthen (2007)
 * Ponnar Shankar (2011)

Hindi

 * Kashmakash (2011)

Malayalam

 * Raktham (1981)
 * Thadakam (1982)
 * Chilathivala (1982) as Aravindan
 * Pooviriyum Pulari (1982)
 * John Jaffer Janardhanan (1982) as Renji
 * Coolie (1983) as Vikraman
 * Mortuary (1983) as Raju
 * Iniyenkilum (1983) as Prasad
 * Passport (1983)
 * Nadi Muthal Nadi Vare (1983)
 * Aana (1983) as Ranger Narendran
 * Rathilayam (1983) as Appukuttan
 * Asuran (1983)
 * Coolie(1983) as Vikraman
 * Ponthooval (1983)
 * Changatham (1983) as Prem
 * Athirathram (1984) as Rajesh
 * Theere Pratheekshikkathe (1984) as Mohan
 * Kadamattathachan (1984) as Neeli's lover
 * Kurishuyudham (1984) as Magician d'Souza/Lorence
 * Sapadham (1984)
 * Koodu Thedunna Parava (1984)
 * Oru Sumagaliyude Kadha (1984) as SI Vijayan
 * Minimol Vathikkanil (1984) as CID Inspector
 * Thirakal (1984) as Chandran
 * Pavam Krooran(1984) as Dasan
 * Unni Vanna Divasam (1984)
 * Shabadham (1984) as Prasad
 * Premalekhanam (1985) as Babu
 * Kiraatham (1985)
 * Shantham Bheekaram (1985)
 * Sammelanam(1985) as Basheer
 * Aazhi (1985)
 * Soundarya Pinakkam (1985)
 * Ezhu Muthal Onpathu Vare (1985)
 * Nayakan (1985) as Rahim
 * Janakeeya Kodathi (1985) as Ayyappan
 * Ee Sabdam Innathe Sabdam (1985) as Gopinathan
 * Karimpin Poovinakkare (1985) as Pappan
 * Prathyekam Sradhikkukka (1986) as Shukkoor
 * Hello My Dear: Wrong Number (1986) as Fernandez
 * Nimishangal (Yamam) (1986) as Khalid
 * Aavanazhi (1986) as Sathyaraj
 * Kalathinte Shabdham (1987) as Devarajan
 * Ivare Sookshikkuka (1987)
 * Ithrayum Kaalam (1987)
 * Ee noottandile Maharogam (1987)
 * Oru Sindoorapottinte Ormakku (1987)
 * Theekkattu (1987) as Basheer
 * Yaagagni (1987)
 * Naalkkavala (1987)
 * Aattakadha (1987)
 * Neeyallengil Njan (1987) as Balachandran
 * Vrutham (1987) as Victor
 * Nadodikkattu (1987) as Mr. Pavanayi
 * Amritamgamaya (1987) as Suku
 * Oru Sindoora Pottinte Ormaykku (1987) as C.K. Gupta
 * Adimakal Udamakal (1987) as Sathyan
 * Simon Peter Ninakku Vendi (1988) as Ramji
 * Innaleyude Bakki (1988)
 * Vadagagunda (1988)
 * Chaaravalayam (1988) as Basheer
 * Evidence (1988) as Damu
 * Aranyakam (1988) as Police Officer
 * Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988) as Dy SP Prabhakara Varma
 * August 1 (1988) as Nicholas
 * Innale (1989) as Circle Inspector of Police
 * Anagha (1989) as Nalini's Father
 * Mudra (1989)
 * Mahaaraajaavu (1989)
 * Miss Pamela (1989)
 * My Dear Rosy (1989)
 * Agnipravesham (1989)
 * Kali Kariyamayi: Crime Branch (1989) as Balachandran
 * Aazhikkoru Muthu (1989)
 * Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989) as Aringodar
 * Vyooham (1990) as Khalid
 * Saandhram (1990) as Police Officer
 * No.20 Madras Mail (1990)
 * Nammude Naadu (1990) as SP Devarajan
 * Enquiry (1990)
 * Nale Ennundekil (1990) as Narendran
 * Kadathanadan Ambadi (1990)
 * Arhatha (1990) as Shekhu
 * Appu (1990) as Suresh
 * Samrajyam (1990) as Krishnadas
 * Kalamorukkam (1991)
 * Chakravarthi (1991) as Ashwani Prasad
 * Neelagiri (1991)
 * Kankettu (1991) as Peter Lal
 * Ragam Anuragam (1991) as A K Menon
 * Mahaan (1992)
 * Kavacham (1992)
 * Advaitham (1992) as Pathrose
 * Rajashilpi (1992)
 * Uppukandam Brothers (1993)
 * Kabuliwala (1994) as Circus Owner
 * Gentleman Security (1994) as Rajkumar
 * Sankeerthanam (1994)
 * Puthukottyile Puthu Manavalan (1995) as Madassery Thampi
 * Special Squad (1995)
 * Thakshashila (1995)
 * Agni Devan (1995) as Pareeth
 * Kalyana Sowgandhikam (1996) as Neelakantan Vaidyar
 * Sankeerthanam Pole (1997)
 * Itha Oru Snehagatha (1997)
 * Sooryavanam (1998)
 * Mattupetti Machan (1998) as Mattupetti Mahadevan
 * Ilavamkodu Desam (1998) as Udayavarmman
 * Daya (1998)
 * Udayapuram Sulthan (1999) as Abdul Rahman
 * Thachiledathu Chundan (1999) as Velupillai
 * Pranaya Nilavu (1999) as Hajiyar
 * Olymbian Antony Adam (1999)
 * Stalin Sivadas (1999) as Narendran
 * My Dear Karadi (1999)
 * Captain (1999) as Ranger Jayadevan
 * The Godman (1999)
 * Ezhupunna Tharakan (1999) as Chacko Tharakan
 * Aayiram Meni (1999) as Unnithan
 * Snehapoorvam Anna (2000) as Father of Lover boy
 * Valliettan (2000) as Ilias Mohammad
 * Sraavu (2001) as Mohan Roy
 * Red Indians (2001)
 * Bhadra (2001)
 * Rakshasa Rajav (2001) as DGP
 * Sharja To Sharja (2001) as Kanaran Kappithan
 * Puthooramputhri Unniyarcha(2002) as Kannappa Chekavar
 * Swarna Medal (2002) as Ravi Varman
 * Punyam (2002)
 * Thandavam (2002) as DYSP Rajiv
 * C.I.D. Moosa (2003) as Karunan Chanthakkavala
 * Soudamini (2003)
 * Pattalam (2003) as Colonel
 * War & Love (2003) as Brigadier Nair
 * Kottaram Vaidyan (2004)
 * Wanted (2004/I) as Police Officer
 * Sathyam (2004) as Police Officer
 * Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (2005)
 * Deepangal Sakshi (2005)
 * Boyy Friennd (2005) as D. J. P.
 * Vargam (2006) as Aboobakar Haji
 * Kilukkam Kilukilukkam (2006) as Col. Panikkar
 * Red Salute (2006)
 * Ashwaroodan (2006) as Vishwanathan
 * Thuruppu Gulan (2006)
 * Aanachandam (2006)
 * The Speed Track (2007) as College Principal
 * Avan Chandiyude Makan (2007) as Vicar
 * Black Cat (2007)
 * Goal (2007)
 * Nasrani (2007) as John
 * Mayakazhcha(2008)
 * Kovalam (2008)
 * Twenty:20 (2008)
 * Pazhassi Raja (2009) as Mancheriyil Unnimootha
 * Sanmanasullavan Appukuttan (2009)
 * Happy Durbar (2010)
 * Yakshiyum Njanum (2010)
 * Arjunan Sakshi (2011) ... CM
 * China Town (2011) as Vincent Gomez
 * Theruvu Nakshatrangal (2012)
 * Ezhamathe Varavu (2013) as Chief Archaeologist
 * Abhiyum Njanum (2013) as Devanandan
 * Mumbai Police (2013)
 * Masala Republic (2014)
 * Nikkah (2015)
 * Aashamsakalode Anna (2015)
 * Poyi Maranju Parayaathe (2016)
 * Appuram Bengal Ippuram Thiruvithamkoor (2016)
 * Masterpiece (2017) as As Himself & Pavanayi
 * Stethoscope (2018)
 * Mr. Pavanayi 99.99 (2019) as Mr. Pavanayi
 * Lessons (2019)
 * Valiyaperunnal (2019)

As Director

 * Mr. Pavanayi 99.99 (2019)
 * Itha Oru Snehagatha (1997)

Television

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