Jagathy Sreekumar

Sreekumar Achary (born 5 January 1951), better known by his stage name Jagathy Sreekumar or simply Jagathy, is an Indian actor, director and playback singer, who has appeared in over 1500 Malayalam films in a career spanning almost four decades. Widely regarded as one of the greatest actor in the history of Malayalam cinema, he is also known for his highly nuanced character roles. He is the son of acclaimed dramaturge and writer, Jagathy N. K. Achary.

Jagathy Sreekumar won five Kerala State Film Awards among numerous other awards for his roles in various films. He has also directed two films and written screenplays for two more. His stage name is derived from the neighborhood of Jagathy in Thiruvananthapuram from where he hails. He is an outspoken orator holding strong views, quite unlike his onscreen image and his speeches are still popular.

As the result of a vehicle accident in March 2012, Jagathy was hospitalized for over a year and has still not completely recovered from the injuries sustained. His film career has been on hold since the accident. In May 2022, Jagathy returned to the big screen with the '' CBI 5: The Brain'' directed by K. Madhu. In the film, he did not have any dialogues and reprised the memorable character CBI Vikram, which he played in the previous films of the ''CBI'' series.

Early life and family

Sreekumar is the eldest son of Malayalam dramatist and writer Jagathy N. K. Achary.. The Hindu. 10 June 2005 He attended the Higher Secondary School in Cheriyanad, Chengannur, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in botany from Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram where eminent personalities like K. Jayakumar and Ravi Vallathol were his classmates.. After college, he briefly worked as a medical representative before later becoming an actor.

Acting career

Jagathy was a fifth grade student at Model School in Thiruvananthapuram when he first got the opportunity to act in a school play. The play he acted was "Onamundum Odakkuzhalum" by Sreemandiram K.P. He continued to act in plays written by his father NK Achary for Kalanilayam, in big and small roles. By this time he joined Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram.

Jagathy made his debut in Malayalam cinema in 1974 by playing a small role in Kanyakumari. He got a breakthrough in his career with his second film Chattambi Kalyani (1975) where he played the role of ''Pappu''. Since then, he went on to play comedy roles in numerous movies. Jagathy started to become an integral part of Malayalam cinema during the early 1980s. He was a constant fixture in Priyadarshan films with Mohanlal coming in the lead role in many of them. Jagathy-Mohanlal combo also resulted in some of the hit movies during the 1980s such as Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, Boeing Boeing, Aram + Aram = Kinnaram, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Hello My Dear Wrong Number, Thalavattam, Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu and Ninnistham Ennishtam. Jagathy was praised for his performance as ''Kavala'' in the sentimental drama film Moonnam Pakkam (1988). The same year he played ''Vikram'' in Mammootty starrer Oru C.B.I Diary Kurippu and reprised the character in the next four sequels of the CBI Series released in 1989, 2004, 2005 and 2022 respectively.

Jagathy won the Kerala State Film Award For Second Best Actor in 1991 for his performance in the cult classic comedy movie Kilukkam and Apoorvam Chilar. He played ''Nischal'', a comic character in Kilukkam whereas in Apoorvam Chilar, he played a character role. Jagathy played the role of a patient escaped from mental hospital with his group of friends in Mookilla Rajyathu (1991). This movie later developed a cult following. One of the best characters played by Jagathy is ''Arasumootil Appukuttan'' in Yoddha (1992). Yoddha is considered one of the best comedy films in Malayalam where Jagathy played an integral part in it. Jagathy was praised for his performance as ''Jayakrishnan'' in Melepparambil Aanveedu (1993). His lead role in Kabooliwala (1994) alongside Innocent was acclaimed. The duo played the characters called ''Kannas'' and ''Kadalas'' in the movie respectively. The same year he played another memorable role in Minnaram. ''Vattoli Porinju'' is a popular character from the movie Olympian Anthony Adam (1999).

Other notable movies in the 1990s include Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam, Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum (1990), Kottayam Kunjachan, Koodikazhca, Kadinjool Kalyanam, Georgekutty C/O Georgekutty (1991), Ezhara Ponnana (1992), Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu, ''Vadhu Doctoranu'', Pingami, Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji, Kinnaripuzhayoram, CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed (1994), Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary, Vrudhanmare Sookshikkuka, ''Puthukottyile Puthu Manavalan'', Kusruthikaatu (1995), Kalyana Sowgandhikam, Kaathil Oru Kinnaram (1996), Arjunan Pillayum Anchu Makkalum, Kilukil Pambaram, Junior Mandrake (1997), Meenathil Thalikettu, Kottaram Veettile Apputtan, Mangalya Pallakku, Mayilpeelikkavu, ''Grama Panchayath'', Alibabayum Arara Kallanmarum, Sreekrishnapurathe Nakshathrathilakkam (1998), Udayapuram Sulthan, Vazhunnor, Tokyo Nagarathile Viseshangal, '' Pattabhishekam'' and Friends (1999).

Jagathy reunited with Priyadarshan with Kakkakkuyil (2001), which was commercially successful. Jagathy's role as ''Krishnavilasom Bhageeratan Pilla'' aka ''Pillechan'' in the comedy drama Meesa Madhavan (2002) is often considered one of his career best. This character as well as the movie itself eventually developed a cult following. Jagathy won his second Kerala State Film Award for his performance in Meesa Madhavan and for doing a character role in Nizhalkuthu. The same year he played another memorable comedy character ''Kumbidi'' in Nandanam. Some of his memorable roles in 2003 were in movies such as Mr. Brahmachari, Thilakkam, Kilichundan Mampazham, Sadanandante Samayam, Vellithira, Swapnam Kondu Thulabharam, C.I.D. Moosa, Meerayude Dukhavum Muthuvinte Swapnavum, Balettan, '' Hariharan Pillai Happy Aanu'', Pulival Kalyanam and Pattanathil Sundaran. Jagathy's next film directed by Priyadarshan after Kilichundan Mambazham, was Vettam (2004), where he played a comic serial killer called ''Basha''. Another popular comic character of Jagathy is ''Pachalam Bhasi'' in Udayananu Tharam (2005). In 2006, Jagathy reprised his role as Nischal in Kilukkam Kilukilukkam, the sequel of ''Kilukkam''. However the movie was a commercial failure and received negative reviews. Jagathy's role as a fake human god known as ''Himavalswami'' in Makante Achan (2009) was acclaimed.

Jagathy's other successful comedy movies in the 2000s include Vellinakshatram (2004), Naran, Kochi Rajavu (2005), Classmates (2006), The Speed Track, Chota Mumbai, Hallo, Rock n' Roll (2007), Crazy Gopalan, Twenty:20 (2008), Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded and Evidam Swargamanu (2009).

Jagathy's role as ''Member Ramanan'' in Elsamma Enna Aankutty (2010) was appreciated and the movie was a box office success. His other notable movies in 2010 and 2011 are Marykkundoru Kunjaadu and Pranchiyettan and the Saint. The last film he completed before his 2012 road accident was Parudeesa.

Jagathy has also played memorable character roles in numerous movies. Most of them have a comic shade while others are purely character roles. He played a complex character called ''Unnithan Aashan'' in Vaasthavam (2006). He won the Kerala State Film Award – Special Mention in 2007 for his performance in Paradesi and Veeralipattu. Jagathy played the lead role in Raamanam (2009) which earned him that years Kerala State Film Special Jury Award. Jagathy's other notable character roles are seen in movies such as Vesham (2004), Thanmathra (2005), Chess, Palunku (2006), ''Manchadikkuru'' (2008), Pazhassi Raja (2009), Indian Rupee (2011) Kerala Cafe (2009) Manikiakkallu (2011) Christian Brothers (2011) Janapriyan (2011) and 1993 Bombay, March 12 (2011).

Besides portraying comedic characters and comic roles, Jagathy has played characters with negative shades, including his roles as ''Chenicheri Kurup'' in Urumi (2011) and the Home Minister in Passenger (2009). Arabikkatha (2007) and Cycle (2008) are also movies with Jagathy in negative roles.

He made his comeback after his road accident in 2012, in the movie CBI 5: The Brain released in 2022, which was the fifth part of the Mammootty starrer CBI Series.

Personal life

Jagathy married Mallika in 1974 and divorced in 1976. He married Shoba in 1980. They have a son, Rajkumar, and a daughter, Parvathy. Just days before the March 2012 road accident, Jagathy had publicly revealed that he had a daughter, Sreelakshmi Sreekumar, with actress Kala, also said to be his third wife.

Accident

On 10 March 2012, he was seriously injured in a road accident at Panambra near the Calicut University at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district. He was immediately rushed t
MIMS
in Kozhikode, where he remained for one month. Later, he was taken to Christian Medical College Vellore, Christian Medical College, Vellore for advanced treatment. He underwent multiple surgical procedures. He remained in hospital for twelve months, appearing in public for the first time in March 2013, unable to speak. In 2014, he was again taken to Vellore for further check-ups and returned to his home later. Recently he appeared in a private channel during Onam with Nedumudi Venu in which he sang old songs.

Awards

; Other awards
* 2003 – Bahadoor Award for his contributions to Malayalam cinema
* 2005 – Prem Nazir Award for his contributions to Malayalam cinema spanning three decades
* 2005 – Sathyaneshan Nadar, Sathyan Memorial Award
*2009 – Utsav Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Award for overall contribution to Malayalam cinema
* 2011 – The Kochi Times Film Award - Best Actor in a Negative Role in ''Urumi''
* 2012 – Thikkurussy Award for Most Popular Actor

Partial filmography

1950s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

As a playback singer

* ''Chakkarayumma'' (1984) .... "Naalukaashum kayyil vechu"
* ''Ulsavamelam'' (1992) .... "Raamaa Sreeraama" (solo)
* ''Bandhukkal Sathrukkal, Bandhukkal Shathrukkal'' (1993) .... "Veshangal" (solo)
* ''Kottaram Veettile Apputtan, Kottaaram Veettile Apputtan'' (1998) .... "Ambottee"
* ''Hai'' (2005) .... "Vallee Vallee"
* ''Moz & Cat'' (2009) .... "Innu Kondu Theerum"

As director

* ''Kalyana Unnikal'' (1998)
* ''Annakutty Kodambakkam Vilikkunnu'' (1989)

As writer

* ''Champion Thomas'' (1990) (story)
* ''Witness (1988 film), Witness'' (1988) (story)

Dialogue, screenplay

* ''Champion Thomas'' (1990)

Television

As actor

* ''Crime Branch'' (Kairali TV)
* ''Hukka Huwwa Meckado'' (Asianet (TV channel), Asianet)
* ''Ellam Mayajalam'' (Asianet (TV channel), Asianet)
* ''Sree Mahabhagavatham'' (Asianet Communications, Asianet)
* ''Kodachakram'' (Telefilm) (Asianet Communications, Asianet)
*''Swami Ayyappan (TV series), Swami Ayyappan'' (Asianet (TV channel), Asianet)
* ''Devimahatymyam'' (Asianet (TV channel), Asianet)
*''Smarakasilakal'' (Doordarshan)

As producer

* ''Hukka Huwwa Meckado'' (Asianet (TV channel), Asianet)
* ''Ellam Mayajalam'' (Asianet (TV channel), Asianet)

Further reading

*

References

External links

* http://facebook.com/JagathySreekumarEntertainmentsOfficial/
*

Jagathy Sreekumar at MSI

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sreekumar, Jagathy
Indian male comedians
Indian male film actors
Kerala State Film Award winners
Living people
Male actors from Thiruvananthapuram
Male actors in Malayalam cinema
Filmfare Awards South winners
Malayalam film directors
Malayalam screenwriters
Malayalam comedians
Indian male screenwriters
Film directors from Thiruvananthapuram
20th-century Indian male actors
21st-century Indian male actors
Screenwriters from Thiruvananthapuram
20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
Male actors in Malayalam television
Indian male television actors
Malayalam film producers
Film producers from Thiruvananthapuram
Singers from Thiruvananthapuram
Malayalam playback singers
20th-century Indian singers
21st-century Indian singers
20th-century Indian male writers
1950 births
Kerala Film Critics Awards winners