His mother, Maheshwari Amma, was the youngest daughter of C. V. Raman Pillai, one among the greatest Malayalam novelists, being the first historical novelist in Malayalam and author of Marthanda Varma, Dharmaraja, Premamritham, and Ramarajabahadur, pioneering dramatist, journalist and social activist.

His nephew, B. Harikumar, is a well-known novelist, satirist and actor in Malayalam and has acted in several TV serials and feature films.

During those twelve years, he also worked as the Manager of P. K. Memorial Press run by the well-known playwright, T. N. Gopinathan Nair, and also worked as the Manager of Sakhi weekly, edited by T. N. Gopinathan Nair, Rosscote Krishna Pillai and Kavalam Narayana Panicker.

His friendship with T. N. earned for him many close contacts with writers and artistes in the professional world of Malayalam drama and films.

Bhasi got his first chance in a small role in a Malayalam feature film, Thiramala, directed by P. R. S. Pillai.

He, along with S. P. Pillai and Bahadur formed the trio that contributed to rollicking comedy scenes in Malayalam films.

He acted with almost all leading actors in Malayalam in his period, like Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Madhu, K. P. Ummer, Jayan, M. G. Soman, Sukumaran, Mammootty and Mohanlal.

He first acted as hero in John Abraham's Cheriyachante Kroorakrithyangal (1978) and got the Kerala State Film Award for best actor in 1979.

A memorial to Adoor Bhasi is being built by the District Panchayat of Pathanamthitta, the foundation stone for which was laid on 12 June 2009.

Adoor Bhasi is often considered one of the first film makers in South India to recognize the potential of Kamal Haasan as a leading actor.