He could not get basic education but obtained training in Ottan Thullal from Kalamandalam for a few years.

He shot to fame as a comedy actor after the superhit film Nalla Thanka (1951).

He did notable roles in more than 300 films, including Snehaseema, Nayaru pidichapulivalu, Chemmen, Bharya, Vidarunna Mottukal.

He played the role of Paananar in almost all the Vadakkan Pattu films of Udaya.

He won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his performance in Taxi Driver.