Entered the Malayalam film industry in the '70s after he failed to get an admission to the Madras film institute. He started off as an actor, but Menon also wrote, directed, and acted in a succession of comedy-laced family dramas, creating in the process a signature all his own. Back then Malayalam movies revolved around the stars, but Menon, by putting the focus on the story, encouraged other directors to forge their own cinematic styles, which soon led to the Malayalam industry being noted for its directors.
