If Abdul Khader can become a film actor, then why can’t I? Obstinacy towards Nazir made Pillai an actor

G K Pillai's passion for cinema was sparked by an advertisement in a Malayalam newspaper which he saw unexpectedly during his tensed life in the army. It was an advertisement of a film starring Prem Nazir. 'Malayalam films have got a new hero. Abdul Khader alias Prem Nazir’, this was the words of the advertisement. That ad was a shock to Pillai.

If Abdul Khader, who studied with him, can become an actor then why couldn’t I? That thought became ingrained in Pillai. He then didn’t want to stay in the army. Quit his job and returned home. He was drawing a salary of Rs 25 and was a good salary then. Pillai left that job following his passion for cinema.

A person is entitled for military pension only after completing 12 years in service. Without that, he returned home with a one month's salary. Went to many places in search of roles. Nobody gave him roles in the name of his looks.

G K Pillai first went to Merryland Subramanyam with his passion for acting. The main actors of Merryland then were Prem Nazir, Sathyan, S P Pillai, Thikkurissi and Muthukkulam. Not suitable for films, Subramaniam directly told Pillai.

Pillai, who returned disappointedly met his classmate who had a theatre in his hometown, months later. Pillai told him that everyone criticized him when he went seeking a role. Understanding Pillai's passion for acting, his friend gave him a letter and asked him to meet someone at Paris Corner in Madras. He soon went and met Vasudevan, Malayalee Associate Pictures at Mambalam in Madras. P Vasudevan, M O Joseph (Manjilas) and Dakshinamoorthy were standing in front of his office. They all laughed when they heard that he had come for a role.

He was later asked to act as a villain and an old man in front of them. They did not like it but the next day he dressed up and the shooting was held at Vahini Studio and thus became an actor. The film was Snehaseema starring Sathyan. After that film became a hit, Merryland Subramanyam sent him a telegram giving him a chance for his next film. He thus acted as Vishwamitra in 'Harishchandra'. He became an actor and acted in many films and mostly as villain.