Bahadoor once dreamed of becoming a lawyer. The chance was there, but he gave up his studies after pre-degree to support his family and follow his heart into films. It wasn’t an easy choice because his family held education above all else, and they struggled to accept his path. But even as he stepped onto the screen, Bahadoor never forgot the value of learning. His love for education still lives on in Kodungallur, inspiring the generations after him.
Kodungallur, once called Cranganore or Muziris, is a place full of history and soul. It was a meeting point for cultures, ideas, and faiths from all over the world. Bahadoor’s family reflects that same spirit of openness and progress. His father’s family, the Padiyaths, were among Kerala’s first Muslim professionals, doctors, engineers, administrators, breaking new ground. On his mother’s side, the Kottappurath Namboori Madathil family were known for their learning and social reform, including leaders like K.M. Seethi Sahib, a respected voice for change.
But Bahadoor’s own family life was tough. Seven sisters, a sick older brother, and a father who struggled to earn a steady income. The weight of responsibility fell on him early. Acting wasn’t seen as a respectable career in the family, but Bahadoor quietly followed his passion. And through it all, he held tight to the values he was raised with: discipline, education, and serving others.
He cared deeply about the future of his family. He encouraged his brother, sisters, and cousins to pursue professional careers and made sure they understood how important it was to marry into families that valued education. His biggest wish was simple but meaningful: to see at least one family member join the Indian Administrative Service, a symbol of leadership and service. That dream hasn’t been fulfilled yet, but the younger generation is working hard, carrying that hope with steady determination. He also wanted someone in the family to become a lawyer, a dream he couldn’t chase himself but that lives on in his nephew, Nasir Ali.
Nasir remembers how proud Bahadoor was when he graduated with his law degree in 1994. It was celebrated with a big dinner at a five-star hotel in Thiruvananthapuram. For Bahadoor, these achievements weren’t just personal wins. They were proof of the family’s faith in education as a life-changer. His steady encouragement reminded everyone that dignity is found in all professions, and that education is a gift worth fighting for.
Today, you can see Bahadoor’s influence all around. More than 60 percent of the younger generation in his family are doctors, nearly 30 percent are engineers, and the rest hold respected roles as academics, lawyers, and administrators. His quiet guidance shaped those choices.
Even though Bahadoor passed away in 2000, his presence is still deeply felt. In Kodungallur, you will find his name on a road, an auditorium, a library, and a school. Each one is a reminder of a man who valued knowledge just as much as art. His life connected tradition and progress, personal dreams and the future of many.
To those who truly knew him, Bahadoor was far beyond an actor. He was a wise mentor, a compassionate soul whose quiet strength touched many, and a visionary who understood that education is the very foundation upon which hope, progress, and humanity are built.