Ajay Kumar (born 31 August 1976), popularly known as Guinness Pakru, is an Indian actor. He has made an entry into the

Guinness World Records ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a reference book published annually, listing world ...

for being the shortest actor () to play a character in a full-length

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

. He played the lead role in ''

Athbhutha Dweepu ''Albhutha Dweepu'' () is a 2005 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy film directed by Vinayan. The plot is set on an otherworld island where all men are dwarfs and women are of normal height, and humans are considered monsters. The film stars Prit ...

'', a Malayalam movie directed by Vinayan. The movie was later dubbed in

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia ** Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, nati ...

and Telugu versions. The film ''

'' starred him as

dwarf Dwarf or dwarves may refer to: Common uses *Dwarf (folklore), a being from Germanic mythology and folklore * Dwarf, a person or animal with dwarfism Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional entities * Dwarf (''Dungeons & Dragons''), a humanoid ...

prince Gajendra of the kingdom Vamanapuri on a fantasy island, where the men were cursed to be dwarfs and women were of normal height. Around 300 dwarves acted in that film. In 2013, Pakru made his directorial debut with the film ''

Kutteem Kolum ''Kutteem Kolum'' (also written as ''Kuttiyum Kolum'') is a 2013 Malayalam comedy film directed by Guinness Pakru, who made his directorial debut with this film. Starring Guinness Pakru, Munna, Adithya and Sanusha in the lead roles, the film was ...

''.

Early life

He was born Ajay Kumar, as the eldest son, of Radhakrishna Pillai and Ambujakshiyamma, on 31 August 1976 at his father's home in

Mulavana Mulavana is a village in Kollam district in the state of Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam- ...

, Kundara. His father was an auto driver and mother was an L.I.C agent who also worked at a telephone service agency on contract. Soon after his birth his family moved to

Kottayam Kottayam () is a municipal town in the Indian state of Kerala. Flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Vembanad Lake and paddy fields of Kuttanad on the west. It is the district headquarters of Kottayam district, located in south-we ...

. Since his mother was often transferred they moved from one place to other and finally settled at

Pandavam Pandavam () is a village in Aymanam panchayath in Kottayam district, Kottayam District in the Indian state of Kerala. It is located near Kudayampady on Kottayam - Olassa - Parippu route. Etymology The name ''Pandavam'' derived from "Pandavava ...

Aymanam Aymanam is a village in the Kottayam District of Kerala, India. It is about 4 km from the railway station in Kottayam along the road to Parippu, and 85 km from the Cochin International Airport. Aymanam is the setting for Arundhati Roy ...

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

. He has two younger sisters, Kavitha and Sangeetha. He studied at C.M.S L.P School, Chalukunnu until fourth grade and at C.M.S High School, Olassa until S.S.L.C. Then he joined

Baselius College Baselius College, Kottayam (established in 1964) is a Malankara Orthodox college . It offers various graduate and under graduate courses. It is located in the heart Kottayam, Kerala, India. It is affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University. Nota ...

and completed his pre degree and graduation from there. He is a BA graduate in

economics Economics () is the social science that studies the Production (economics), production, distribution (economics), distribution, and Consumption (economics), consumption of goods and services. Economics focuses on the behaviour and intera ...

and has a diploma in

computer science Computer science is the study of computation, automation, and information. Computer science spans theoretical disciplines (such as algorithms, theory of computation, information theory, and automation) to Applied science, practical discipli ...

. He started his career as a

mimicry In evolutionary biology, mimicry is an evolved resemblance between an organism and another object, often an organism of another species. Mimicry may evolve between different species, or between individuals of the same species. Often, mimicry f ...

artist and later moved to films. He worked as a mimicry artist in mimicry troupes like Mangalam Mimics, Nadirsha's Cochin Universal and

Kottayam Nazeer Kottayam Nazeer is an Indian actor, impressionist, and an artist from Kerala. Kottayam Nazeer started his career as a stage artist . Recently he also started his career in painting. Family Nazeer is married to Haseena. They have two sons, Moh ...

's Cochin Discovery. By age 18 he had completed 1000 mimicry stages. He debuted through the children's film ''Ambili Ammavan'' (''The Moon'') in 1984. He now also acts in TV serials.

Personal life

Pakru married Gayathri Mohan in March 2006. They have a daughter, Deeptha Keerthi, born on 14 April 2009. Pakru once said that Deeptha Keerthi was actually his second daughter. Before her, there was a daughter who lived only for two weeks.

Transformation to director

Pakru became a director with the 2013 Malayalam movie ''

'', in which he also played the lead role in the movie. He may be the shortest director in filmdom. The film starred Aditya, Sanusha, Laya, Munna,

Suraj Venjaramoodu Suraj Vasudevan (born 30 June 1976), professionally credited as Suraj Venjaramoodu, is an Indian actor, comedian, impressionist, and television presenter, who appears in Malayalam films, television and stage plays. He has acted in more than 2 ...

Vijayaraghavan Vijayaraghavan (born 20 December 1951) is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema. He is popular for his character roles. He is the son of popular drama and cinema artist N. N. Pillai. He got his break by playing the iconic ...

and Ponnamma Babu. The camera was handled by Vinod Bharathi and music by Shaan Rahman.

Honours and awards

Pakru made an entry into the Guinness World Records for being the shortest lead actor (2 ft 6 in (76 cm)) to play a character in a full-length film. His accomplishment is cited on the 167th page of the 2008 edition of the ''

''. He was also presented with a Kerala State Film Award best supporting actor

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards Tamil Nadu State Film Awards were given for excellence in Tamil cinema in India. They were given annually to honour the best talents and provide encouragement and incentive to the South Indian film industry by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The aw ...

for his performance in the film '' Dishyum'' in 2006. ;

* ''

Guinness Book of Records ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a reference book published annually, listing world ...

'' (2008 edition) - shortest actor to play a lead character in a full-length movie * ''Guinness Book of Records'' (2013 edition) - shortest film director in the world to direct a full-length movie ;

Kerala State Film Awards The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Cha ...

* Kerala State Film Award – Special Mention (2006) - ''

'' ;

* Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize (2006) - '' Dishyum'' *Movie Street Film Awards (2020)-Best Actor- Special Jury(Ilayaraja)

Filmography

As actor

;Malayalam * '' Ambili Ammavan'' (1986)....as Undapakru * ''

Ithaa Samayamaayi ''Itha Samayamayi'' is a 1987 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. G. Vishwambharan. The film stars Jagathy Sreekumar, Ratheesh, Jayaram and Karamana Janardanan Nair in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Shyam. The film is loosely ...

'' (1987) * ''

Antharjanam Lalithambika Antharjanam (March 30, 1909 – February 6, 1987) was an Indian author and social reformer best known for her literary works in Malayalam language. She was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and social reform movements among the Nambuthir ...

'' (1989)....Pakru * '' Joker'' (2000)....as Joker * '' Basket'' (2002) * '' Kunjikoonan'' (2002)....as Suhasini * ''

Meesha Madhavan ''Meesha Madhavan'' () is a 2002 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by Lal Jose and written by Ranjan Pramod. The film stars Dileep in the title role, while Kavya Madhavan, Indrajith Sukumaran, Jagathy Sreekumar and Cochin Ha ...

'' (2002) * ''Malsaram'' (2003)....as Induchoodan * ''

'' (2005)....as Prince Gajendran (

Kerala State Film Award (Special Jury Award) The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and since 1998 the awards have been bestowed by Kerala State Cha ...

in 2005) * ''Manikyan'' (2005)....as Watchman * ''

Kilukkam Kilukilukkam ''Kilukkam Kilukilukkam'' () is a 2006 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film directed by Sandhya Mohan and written by Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas. It is a sequel to the 1991 film '' Kilukkam''. The film stars a new cast of Kunchacko Bo ...

'' (2006) * ''

Athisayan ''Athisayan'' () is a 2007 Indian Malayalam-language science fiction monster film written and directed by Vinayan, starring Master Devadas with Jackie Shroff (in his Malayalam debut), Kavya Madhavan, Karthika, Jayasurya and Mukesh in other role ...

'' (2007) * '' Mulla'' (2008)....Chandran * '' Twenty:20'' (2008)....as a worker in Tea shop * '' Ee Pattanathil Bhootham'' (2009)....as Balan * ''Sivapuram'' (2009) * ''

Puthiya Mukham ''Puthiya Mukham'' () is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by Diphan and written by M. Sindhuraj. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Bala, Priyamani and Meera Nandan. It was shot at locations in Kochi, Thrissur, ...

'' (2009) * ''

Loudspeaker A loudspeaker (commonly referred to as a speaker or speaker driver) is an electroacoustic transducer that converts an electrical audio signal into a corresponding sound. A ''speaker system'', also often simply referred to as a "speaker" or " ...

'' (2009)....as an agent * ''

Bodyguard A bodyguard (or close protection officer/operative) is a type of security guard, government law enforcement officer, or servicemember who protects a person or a group of people — usually witnesses, high-ranking public officials or officers, w ...

'' (2010)....as Kudamaloor Balaji * ''

My Big Father ''My Big Father'' is a Malayalam movie by Mahesh P. Sreenivasan (Assistant Director- Sajith Jagadnandan) starring Guinness Pakru, Jayaram and Kanika . It was released in December 2009. The movie was produced by P.A. Sebastian and was distribu ...

'' (2010)....as Kunjumon * '' Swantham Bharya Zindabad'' (2010)....as Vettoor Sivankutty * ''

Note Out ''Note Out'' is a 2011 Malayalam comedy film directed by debutant Kutty Naduvil starring Nishan and Mithra Kurian in the lead roles. The music of the film has been composed by Vinu Thomas with lyrics penned by Anil Panachooran. The film released ...

'' (2011) * ''

Payyans ''Payyans'' is a 2011 Indian Malayalam family-drama film written and directed by Leo Thaddeus. It stars Jayasurya, Rohini, Anjali, Lalu Alex and Lal. The film's score was composed by Rahul Raj whilst the songs were by Alphons Joseph. It narrat ...

'' (2011) * ''

Venicile Vyapari ''Venicile Vyapari'', () is a 2011 Indian Malayalam-language Action-romantic comedy film directed by Shafi, starring Mammootty, Kavya Madhavan and Poonam Bajwa. The film's plot unfolds in Alappuzha, a town in Kerala popularly known as the ''Ven ...

'' (2011)....as Kochukrishnan * '' Rathinirvedam'' (2011) * ''

Killadi Raman ''Killadi Raman'' ( ml, കില്ലാടി രാമന്‍ ) is a 2011 Malayalam film directed by Thulasidas, starring Mukesh, Siddique and Meghana Nair in the lead roles. The film released on 9 December 2011 alongside ''Happy Durbar'' ...

'' (2011)....as Bada Bhai * ''Snake & Ladder'' (2012) * ''Perinoru Makan'' (2012)....as Murugan * ''

My Fan Ramu ''My Fan Ramu'' is a 2013 Malayalam film directed by debutant Nikhil K. Menon, starring Saiju Kurup and Rajeev Pillai in the lead roles. Actor Saiju Kurup has also written the script for the film, produced by Sasi Ayyanchira. Plot Ramu, who is ...

'' (2013) * '' Housefull'' (2013)....as Dr. Shenayi * ''

'' (2013)....as Vinayakan * '' Immanuel'' (2013)....as Kannadi Kavi Shivan * ''

Abhiyum Njanum ''Abhiyum Njanum'' (''Abhi and Me'') is a 2013 Indian Malayalam film directed by S. P. Mahesh. Archana Kavi and debutant Rohit Nair play the lead along with Lal. The film is a travel movie which revolves around two characters, Abirami (Archana) ...

'' (2013)....as Veerabhadran * '' Ring Master'' (2014)....as Achankunju * ''6'' (2015).....as Vedalam * '' 3 Wicketinu 365 Runs'' (2015) * ''

Punyalan Private Limited ''Punyalan Private Limited'' is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language political satire film written, co-produced and directed by Ranjith Sankar. It is a sequel to the 2013 film ''Punyalan Agarbattis'' and stars Jayasurya, Aju Varghese, Vijayaraghavan ...

'' (2017)....as Bank Manager * '' Ilayaraja'' (2019) *''

Fancy Dress A costume party (American English) or fancy dress party (other varieties of English) is a type of party, common in contemporary Western culture, in which many of the guests are dressed in costume, usually depicting a fictional or stock chara ...

'' (2019) * '' Mr. Pavanayi 99.99'' (2019) *'' Veerapakru'' (2020) ;Tamil * '' Dishyum'' (2006) ....as Amitabh (

Tamil Nadu State Film Award (Special Prizes) Recipients Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won. * The year mentioned refers to the year in which the films released. This is the list of Winners of Jury's Special Award See also * Tamil cinema * Cinema of Ind ...

) * '' Arputha Theevu'' (2007)....as Kajendran * ''

Thalai Ezhuthu ''Thalai Ezhuthu'' () is a 2009 Tamil language thriller film directed by Ethiraj. The film stars Richard Raj and Pooja Gandhi, with Guinness Pakru, Meera Krishnan, Bala Singh and Saakshi Siva playing supporting roles. The film, produced by Richa ...

'' (2009).... as Kirthik * '' Kaavalan'' (2011) * '' 7aum Arivu'' (2011) * ''Ariyaan'' (2012)

As director

* ''

Kuttiyum Kolum Kuttiyum kolum ( en, stick and cane) is a traditional game played in Kerala, India. It is similar to an ancient game found all over the Indian Subcontinent with different names, such as Gilli-danda in North India. A similar game by the name of ...

'' (2013)

As producer

*''Fancy Dress (2019)

Television

;Serials * ''Savari Girigiri'' (Surya TV) *''Tom and Jerry'' (Asianet) * ''Vallabhan C/O Vallabhan'' * ''

Cinemala ''Cinemala'' () is a Malayalam language, Malayalam television parody series that aired on Asianet (TV channel), Asianet. Broadcast The first episode aired on Asianet (TV channel), Asianet, a Malayalam news television network, on 20 August 19 ...

'' (Asianet) * ''Five Star Thattukada'' (Asianet) *''

Ente Maathavu ''Ente Maathavu'' was an Indian Malayalam television series directed by Venu Chelakkottu. The show premiered on Surya TV and started streaming on Sun NXT on 27 January 2020. The show aired its last episode on 25 June 2022. Plot Angel, whose mo ...

'' (Surya TV) *''

Erivum Puliyum ''Uppum Mulakum'' () is an Indian Malayalam-language sitcom, that has been broadcast on Flowers (TV channel), Flowers since 14 December 2015. Created and directed by R. Unnikrishnan, the sitcom depicts the everyday life of Balachandran Thampi, ...

'' (Zee Keralam) ;Shows * ''Chirikum Pattanam'' (Kairali TV) * ''Comedy Festival'' (Mazhavil Manorama) * ''Pokeeri Peekiri'' ( Asianet Plus) * ''Kuttykalavara'' (Flowers TV) * ''Komedy Circus'' (Mazhavil Manorama) * ''Comedy Utsavam'' (Flowers) * '' Thakarppan Comedy'' ( Mazhavil Manorama) *''Midumidukki'' (

Flowers TV channel A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Angiospermae). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism ...

) *Top Singer (Flowers TV) *Music Ulsavam (Flowers TV) *Comedy masters (Amrita TV) *Comedy Utsavam 3 (Flowers TV)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Pakru, Guinness 1976 births 20th-century Indian male actors 21st-century Indian male actors Living people Actors with dwarfism Male actors from Kottayam Male actors in Malayalam cinema Male actors in Malayalam television Male actors in Tamil cinema Indian male film actors Indian male television actors Kerala State Film Award winners