Mela Raghu was born in Chengannur, Kerala in 1961. He began his career as a circus clown, where his talent caught the attention of actor Sreenivasan during a show in Kozhikode. This led to his debut in Mela (1980), which gave him his screen name “Mela Raghu.” His unique background and expressive acting style made him a recognizable figure in Malayalam cinema.
Over the years, Raghu acted in several Malayalam films, often in supporting roles, and also appeared in Tamil cinema. His role in Kamal Haasan’s Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) brought him wider recognition. He continued acting until his final appearance in Drishyam 2 (2021). Raghu passed away on 3 May 2021 at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, after collapsing at home. He was also reported to have tested positive for COVID-19 during treatment.