Sreekumar Achary (born 5 January 1951), better known by his

stage name A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. The equivalent concept among writers is called a ''nom de plume'' (pen name). Some performers ...

Jagathy Sreekumar or simply Jagathy, is an Indian actor,

director Director may refer to: Literature * ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine * ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker * ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty Music * Director (band), an Irish rock band * ''D ...

and

playback singer A playback singer, as they are usually known in South Asian cinema, or ghost singer in Western cinema, is a singer whose performance is pre-recorded for use in films. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and the performers lip-sync the ...

, who has appeared in over 1500

Malayalam film Malayalam cinema, also referred to as Mollywood, is a segment of Indian cinema dedicated to producing films in the Malayalam language, primarily spoken in Kerala and the Lakshadweep islands. It encompasses both the mainstream film industry ...

s 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 Award The Kerala State Film Awards are the film awards for a cinema of kerala, motion picture made in Kerala. The awards started in 1969 by the Department of Cultural Affairs (Kerala), Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala and sin ...

s 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 Thiruvananthapuram ( ), also known as Trivandrum, is the Capital city, capital city of the Indian state of Kerala. As of 2011, the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation had a population of 957,730 over an area of 214.86 sq. km, making it the ...

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 Mar Ivanios College is an autonomous educational institution situated in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. The college was ranked as 45th best college in the country by Ministry of Education's National Institutional Ranking Framework in 2023, ...

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 Fifth grade (also 5th Grade or Grade 5) is the fifth or sixth year of formal or compulsory education. In the United States, this is mostly the last grade of primary school, but for some states, it could be the first year of middle school. Primary ...

student A student is a person enrolled in a school or other educational institution, or more generally, a person who takes a special interest in a subject. In the United Kingdom and most The Commonwealth, commonwealth countries, a "student" attends ...

at Model School in

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

, Thiruvananthapuram. Jagathy made his debut in Malayalam cinema in 1974 by playing a small role in

Kanyakumari Kanyakumari (Tamil; / kəɳjɑkʊmɑɾiː/; referring to Devi Kanya Kumari, officially known as Kanniyakumari, formerly known as Cape Comorin) is a town and a municipality in Kanyakumari district in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is the ...

. 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 Priyadarshan Soman Nair (born 30 January 1957) is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He has worked primarily in Malayalam cinema, Malayalam and Hindi cinema, Hindi cinema since 1982, directing over 90 films in multiple Indian languages, ...

films with

Mohanlal Mohanlal Viswanathan (; born 21 May 1960), known mononymously as Mohanlal, is an Indian actor and filmmaker who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema, Malayalam cinema besides also having sporadically appeared in Tamil cinema, Tamil, Hin ...

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 ''Poochakkoru Mookkuthi'' () is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language screwball comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan in his directorial debut. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Mohanlal, Shankar, Menaka, M. G. Soman, Nedu ...

, Boeing Boeing, Aram + Aram = Kinnaram, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu, Hello My Dear Wrong Number,

Thalavattam ''Thalavattam'' () is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Priyadarshan, starring Mohanlal, Lizy, M. G. Soman and Karthika. The film is very loosely based on the 1975 movie '' One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' w ...

Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu ''Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu'' () is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Sreenivasan. It stars Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, and Ranjini. The story is based on the Marathi play ''Sasa Aani ...

and Ninnistham Ennishtam. Jagathy was praised for his performance as ''Kavala'' in the sentimental drama film

Moonnam Pakkam ''Moonnam Pakkam'' () is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Padmarajan. It stars Jayaram and Thilakan, along with Kirti Singh, Jagathi Sreekumar, Rahman, Ashokan, Ajayan and Surasu in supporting roles. Kirti ...

(1988). The same year he played ''Vikram'' in

Mammootty Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail (born 7 September 1951), known mononymously by the hypocorism Mammootty (), is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Malayalam-language films. He has also appeared in Tamil, Telugu, ...

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 The Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor was an award presented annually from 1969 to 2014 at the Kerala State Film Awards of India. The Kerala State Film Awards is managed by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, an autonomous non-prof ...

in 1991 for his performance in the

cult classic A cult following is a group of Fan (person), fans who are highly dedicated to a person, idea, object, movement, or work, often an artist, in particular a performing artist, or an artwork in some List of art media, medium. The latter is often cal ...

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 ''Kabooliwala'' is a 1994 Indian Malayalam-language coming of age comedy drama film, written and directed by Siddique-Lal, starring Innocent and Jagathy Sreekumar. The film was remade in Tamil as '' Meesai Madhavan'' (2004). Plot The story b ...

(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 ''Minnaram'' () is a 1994 Indian Malayalam-language romantic tragedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan from a story by Cheriyan Kalpakavadi. The film stars Mohanlal, Shobana, and Thilakan, in main lead roles, with Sankaradi, K. P. Um ...

. ''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 ''Kottayam Kunjachan'' is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by T. S. Suresh Babu and written by Dennis Joseph, loosely based on a novel by Muttathu Varkey. It stars Mammootty in the title role as Kunjachan, with ...

, Koodikazhca, Kadinjool Kalyanam, Georgekutty C/O Georgekutty (1991), Ezhara Ponnana (1992), Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu, ''Vadhu Doctoranu'', Pingami,

Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji ''Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji'' (') is a 1994 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film screen play and directed by Thulasidas and dialogues by Rajan Kiriyath and Vinu Kiriyath from a story by Babu G. Nair. The film stars Madhu (actor), Madhu,Mukes ...

, Kinnaripuzhayoram, CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed (1994), Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary,

Vrudhanmare Sookshikkuka ''Vrudhanmare Sookshikkuka'' () is a 1995 Malayalam comedy thriller film Directed by Sunil, starring Dileep, and Harisree Ashokan In title roles. with Jayaram, Khushbu, Jagathy Sreekumar, Mamukkoya, K. P. A. C. Lalitha and Master. Ananya ...

, ''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 ''Mayilpeelikkavu'' () is a 1998 Indian Malayalam-language mystery thriller film directed by the Anil-Babu duo and starring Kunchacko Boban and Jomol. This film is about reincarnation and revenge. The movie has many similarities with the 1991 ...

, ''Grama Panchayath'', Alibabayum Arara Kallanmarum, Sreekrishnapurathe Nakshathrathilakkam (1998), Udayapuram Sulthan, Vazhunnor, Tokyo Nagarathile Viseshangal, '' Pattabhishekam'' and

Friends ''Friends'' is an American television sitcom created by David Crane (producer), David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, lasting List of Friends episodes, ten seasons. With an ensemble cast ...

(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 Cults are social groups which have unusual, and often extreme, religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals. Extreme devotion to a particular person, object, or goal is another characteristic often ascribed to cults. The term ...

following. Jagathy won his second Kerala State Film Award for his performance in Meesa Madhavan and for doing a character role in

Nizhalkuthu ''Nizhalkuthu'' (, ) is a 2002 Indian film in Malayalam directed, written and co-produced by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. The film explores the recesses of the human consciousness. It stars Oduvil Unnikrishnan in the lead with actors Narain, Murali, ...

. 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 ''Balettan'' is a 2003 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film directed by V. M. Vinu, written by T. A. Shahid, and produced by M. Mani. It stars Mohanlal in the title role, along with Devayani, Nedumudi Venu, Harisree Ashokan, Riyaz Kh ...

, '' Hariharan Pillai Happy Aanu'',

Pulival Kalyanam ''Pulival Kalyanam'' () is a 2003 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film directed by Shafi and written by Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas. The film stars Jayasurya and Kavya Madhavan with Lal, Lalu Alex, Jagathy Sreekumar, Harisree As ...

and

Pattanathil Sundaran ''Pattanathil Sundaran'' () is a 2003 Indian Malayalam-language domestic drama film directed by Vipin Mohan and written by M. Sindhuraj, starring Dileep and Navya Nair. The music was composed by Mohan Sithara. Plot The story follows Kizhakke ...

. Jagathy's next film directed by Priyadarshan after Kilichundan Mambazham, was

Vettam ''Vettam'' () is a 2004 Indian Malayalam-language screwball comedy film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Udayakrishna-Siby K. Thomas and Priyadarshan. It was produced by Menaka, Keerthy Suresh, and Revathy Sureshkumar through Revathy Ka ...

(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 A classmate is a student who is a member of the same class, in any of its meanings (a course, a lesson, a graduating year). Classmate(s) may also refer to: * ''Classmates'' (1914 film), a 1914 silent film produced by the Biograph Company * ''Cl ...

(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 Chess is a board game for two players. It is an abstract strategy game that involves Perfect information, no hidden information and no elements of game of chance, chance. It is played on a square chessboard, board consisting of 64 squares arran ...

, Palunku (2006), ''Manchadikkuru'' (2008),

Pazhassi Raja Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja () (3 January 1753 – 30 November 1805), also known as Cotiote Rajah and Pychy Rajah, was the '' de facto'' head of the Kottayam Kingdom in the Malabar region of Kerala between 1774 and 1805. His struggles with the ...

(2009),

Indian Rupee The Indian rupee (symbol: ₹; code: INR) is the official currency of India. The rupee is subdivided into 100 '' paise'' (Hindi plural; singular: ''paisa''). The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India. The Reserve ...

(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 An urumi is an Indian sword with a flexible, whip-like blade, secretly worn around the waist. Originating in modern-day Kerala, a state in southwestern India, it is thought to have existed from as early as the Sangam period. It is treated as ...

(2011) and the Home Minister in

Passenger A passenger is a person who travels in a vehicle, but does not bear any responsibility for the tasks required for that vehicle to arrive at its destination or otherwise operate the vehicle, and is not a steward. The vehicles may be bicycles, ...

(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

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 The University of Calicut, also known as Calicut University, is a state-run public university headquartered at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district of the state of Kerala, India. Established in 1968, it is the first university to be set up in no ...

at Tenhipalam in

Malappuram district Malappuram (), is one of the List of districts of Kerala, 14 districts in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Kerala, with a coastline of . The most populous district of Kerala, Malappuram is home to around 13% of the tot ...

. He was immediately rushed t
MIMS
in

Kozhikode Kozhikode (), also known as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. Known as the City of Spices, Kozhikode is listed among the City of Literature, UNESCO's Cities of Literature. It is the nineteenth large ...

, where he remained for one month. Later, he was taken to 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 Vellore ( ), also spelled Velur, is a sprawling city and the administrative headquarters of Vellore district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located on the banks of the Palar River and surrounded by the Javadi Hills in the northeastern ...

for further check-ups and returned to his home later. Recently he appeared in a private channel during

Onam Onam () is an annual harvest and Hindus, Hindu cultural festival celebrated mostly by the people of Kerala. A major annual event for Malayalis, Keralites, it is the official festival of the state and includes a spectrum of cultural events. H ...

with

Nedumudi Venu Kesavan Venugopal (22 May 1948 – 11 October 2021), better known by his stage name Nedumudi Venu, was an Indian actor and screenwriter from Kerala, who predominantly worked in Malayalam cinema. He acted in more than 500 films, primarily in M ...

in which he sang old songs.

Awards

; Other awards * 2003 –

Bahadoor Padiyath Kochumoideen Kunjalu (1930 22 May 2000), better known by his stage name Bahadoor, was an Indian actor who appeared in Malayalam films, primarily in comedic roles. He, along with Adoor Bhasi, were the two major comedians in Malayalam ...

Award for his contributions to Malayalam cinema * 2005 –

Prem Nazir Prem Nazir (born Abdul Khader; 6 April 1926 – 16 January 1989) was an Indian actor known as one of Malayalam cinema's definitive leading man, leading men of his generation. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential actors in the hist ...

Award for his contributions to Malayalam cinema spanning three decades * 2005 – Sathyan Memorial Award *2009 – Utsav Film Awards Lifetime Achievement Award for overall contribution to

Malayalam cinema Malayalam cinema, also referred to as Mollywood, is a segment of Cinema of India, Indian cinema dedicated to producing films in the Malayalam, Malayalam language, primarily spoken in Kerala and the Lakshadweep islands. It encompasses both th ...

* 2011 – The Kochi Times Film Award - Best Actor in a Negative Role in ''

'' * 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 Shathrukkal'' (1993) .... "Veshangal" (solo) * '' Kottaaram Veettile Apputtan'' (1998) .... "Ambottee" * ''Hai'' (2005) .... "Vallee Vallee" * '' Moz & Cat'' (2009) .... "Innu Kondu Theerum"

As director

* ''

Kalyana Unnikal Kalyana () is a neighborhood in the Central Karachi district of Karachi, Sindh. Kalyana is one of the thirteen union councils of New Karachi Town. In 2006 it had an estimated population of 47,313. Neighborhood demographics Kalyana is composed of ...

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

As writer

* ''Champion Thomas'' (1990) (story) * ''

Witness In law, a witness is someone who, either voluntarily or under compulsion, provides testimonial evidence, either oral or written, of what they know or claim to know. A witness might be compelled to provide testimony in court, before a grand jur ...

'' (1988) (story)

Dialogue, screenplay

* ''Champion Thomas'' (1990)

Television

As actor

* ''Crime Branch'' (

Kairali TV Kairali TV is an Indian Malayalam-language general entertainment free-to-air television channel owned by PTC Network via holding company G-Next Media Pvt Ltd . It is headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram. It was launched on 17 August 2000. Hist ...

) * ''Hukka Huwwa Meckado'' (

Asianet Asianet may refer to: JioStar channels * JioStar, is an Indian media conglomerate wholly owned by Disney India. ** Asianet, a Malayalam language general entertainment channel ** Asianet Plus, a Malayalam language general entertainment channel ** As ...

) * ''Ellam Mayajalam'' (

) * ''Sree Mahabhagavatham'' (

) * ''Kodachakram'' (Telefilm) (

) *'' Swami Ayyappan'' (

) * ''Devimahatymyam'' (

) *''Smarakasilakal'' (

Doordarshan Doordarshan (), abbreviated as DD, is India's State-owned enterprise, state-owned public broadcasting, public television broadcaster. Established by the Government of India on 15 September 1959, it is owned by the Ministry of Information and B ...

)

As producer

* ''Hukka Huwwa Meckado'' (