Starting his career as an art director with noted director G Aravindan, Padmakumar (54) had worked in all his films, including much acclaimed 'Thampu', 'Vasthuhara', 'Esthapan', 'Naseema' and 'Swom' except 'Pokkuveyil'.
'Aparna' (1981) was Padmakumar's first directorial venture which was followed by 'Sammohanam' which received the Best Film Award at the Edinborough International Film festival in 1995.
He had also acted in films like 'Kanchana Seetha', 'Pakkal Nakshatrangal', 'Patam Onnu Ori Vilapu'.