Kannanthanam was a producer, director and have also acted in a few films. He was admitted to the private hospital last week. A multi-faceted film personality, Kannanthanam was a hugely successful and celebrated director and often regarded as the one who took Mohanlal to his career high in "Rajavinte Makan" in 1986.

After this film, Mohanlal had never looked back in his career. Mohanlal told the media over the phone from Kulu-Manali in Himachal Pradesh, that without any qualms he would say Thampi Kannanthanam moulded him into the star he was today.