Santhosh K. Nayar
Born	Santhosh Kesavan Nayar (1960-11-12)12 November 1960[1] Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Died	5 May 2026(2026-05-05) (aged 65) Enathu, Kerala, India
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1982–2026
Spouse	Subhasree V.
Children	1

Santhosh Kesavan Nayar (12 November 1960 – 5 May 2026) was an Indian actor who appeared in Malayalam cinema. He acted in more than 100 films, primarily in antagonistic roles.

Santhosh hailed from Trivandrum, India.^[2] He was the only son of retired headmaster C. N. Kesavan Nayar and P. Rajalakshmiamma, who is also a retired teacher. He grew up along with his two sisters in Pettah, Thiruvananthapuram. Santhosh was brought up by his maternal grandparents, advocate K. S. Chellappan Pillai and B. Parukuttyamma, when his parents left for Ethiopia on deputation.

Nayar completed his schooling at St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Trivandrum. He initially enrolled in an engineering programme at Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth, but discontinued after one year.^[3] He subsequently pursued undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in mathematics at Mahatma Gandhi College, where he also served as editor of the college magazine.^[1] He was involved in campus politics through the Democratic Students Union (DSU), the student wing of the National Democratic Party (NDP), and served as its president. Concurrently, he was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, where he held organisational roles, including shikshak and mukhya shikshak.^[3]

Both his sisters turned became gynaecologists while he wanted to pursue a career as an actor.^{[citation needed]}

Santhosh began his acting career while completing his final year of bachelor's degree, securing his first role through an audition.^[2] He made his debut in the Malayalam film Ithu Njangalude Katha (1982), directed by P. G. Viswambharan, in which he portrayed one of five principal protagonists. The film was a commercial success. In subsequent years, Nayar portrayed "semi-villain" roles.^[4]

His performance as a villain in Ivide Thudangunnu (1984), another box office success, marked a turning point, leading to a series of similar roles.^[4] He also played a recognizable villain role in April 18 the same year.^[1] Despite this emerging typecasting, he played leading roles in Kothi Theerumvare and Ithu Nalla Thamasha (both 1985). In an interview with Mathrubhumi, he stated that at the peak of his career he had worked in as many as 42 films within a single year.^[4] He played a positive role in Yuvajanotsavam (1986).^[1] Nayar's breakthrough performance came with the role of Lawrence in Irupatham Noottandu (1987), which significantly enhanced his public recognition. He played a comedic role in Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam (1989).^[4]

In 2005, Nayar took a four-year hiatus from acting in an effort to avoid typecasting. Following his return, he was cast in comparatively minor roles, often limited to a few scenes. Nevertheless, he played noticeable characters in Bus Conductor (2006), Simhasanam (2012), and Thiruvambadi Thamban (2012). He later played a humorous role in Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath (2013).^[4] The 2026 film Bharathanatyam 2 Mohiniyattam was his last release while alive. The film was a commercial success.^[5]

Santhosh married Subhasree V., a high-school teacher by profession; they had a daughter, Rajasree S. Nayar.^[6]

On 5 May 2026, Santhosh died of a heart attack while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Enathu following a car collision at Puthussery, Adoor. He was 65.^[5][7][8]

• Swapnam – Asianet
• Sreekrishnan – Surya TV

https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/features/swaroop-open-up-on-friendship-with-santhosh-k-nair-shares-emotional-memories-after-his-death-140789.html

• Santhosh K. Nayar at IMDb
• Santhosh at MSI