Suraj Venjaramoodu is an Indian actor, comedian, mimicry artist, and television presenter. He is known for playing comic roles in Malayalam films. He is the winner of a National Film Award and Kerala State Film Awards (thrice).
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Suraj Venjaramoodu was born on Wednesday, 30 June 1976 (age 46 years; as of 2022) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He did his schooling at K.V.M.L.P.S, Venjaramoodu. He received his diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Government ITI, Attingal.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 10″
Weight (approx.): 65 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Venjaramood K. Vasudevan Nair, a retired soldier from the Indian Army, and his mother’s name is Vilasini.
Suraj Venjaramoodu with his mother
He has two siblings, elder brother, V. Saji, who was also an Army officer, and sister, Sunitha V. V.
Suraj Venjaramoodu (right) with his elder brother Saji Venjaramoodu (left)
Wife & Children
Suraj Venjaramoodu got married to Supriya at Vaikuntam Auditorium, near Padmanabhaswamy Temple in 2005. The couple was blessed with three children, two sons, Kashinathan and Vasudev, and a daughter named Hridya.
Suraj Venjaramoodu with his wife and children
His son Kashinathan acted in the film “Annan Thampi” and “Teja Bhai & Family.”
Career
Mimicry Artist/Stand-up Comedian
Suraj Venjaramoodu started his career as a stand-up comedian. He started doing mimicry shows soon after completing his studies. He is mainly known for his artificial mockery of the Thiruvananthapuram accent; however, he was also criticized by some audiences for this.
Actor
Films
Suraj Venjaramoodu made his acting debut with the Malayalam film “Jagapoka” (2001), which was a spoof of some Malayalam movies; however, the film didn’t run well at the box office. After assisting the popular film star Mammootty in the film “Rajamanikyam” (2005) with the Thiruvananthapuram accent, Suraj went on to play as a supporting actor alongside Mammootty in many comedy films, following which the duo became one of the best duos in the Malayalam film industry. His performance in the film “Thuruppugulan” (2006) in a supporting role for the character of Mammootty proved to be the first breakthrough of his career. Later, he played a comic role in various films including “Classmates” (2006), “Pachakkuthira” (2006), “Chotta Mumbai” (2007), and “Hallo” (2007). In the film “Mayavi” (2007), Suraj was seen in his first major supporting role, which became another breakthrough in his career.
Suraj Venjaramoodu (left) with Mammootty (right) in a still from the film ‘Mayavi’ (2007)
In 2009, he played his first lead role in the film “Duplicate.”
Poster of the film ‘Duplicate’ (2009)
His role as Dasamoolam Damu in the film “Chattambinaadu” (2009) is considered to be the iconic comic role played by him. Some of his other notable comic roles include Idivettu Sugunan in the film “Pokkiri Raja” (2010), Vadivelu in the film “Kaaryasthan” (2010), Susheelan in the film “Mallu Singh” (2012), and Soman in the film “Bhaiyya Bhaiyya” (2014).
Poster of the film ‘Mallu Singh’ (2012)
Besides playing comic roles, Suraj also appeared in some non-comic roles. His role in the film “Action Hero Biju” (2016) broke the stereotypical roles that he had been playing for a long time; he received great appreciation from the audience for his performance in the film.
Suraj Venjaramoodu in a still from the film ‘Action Hero Biju’
After playing the character of a ferocious policeman in the film “Karinkunnam 6’s” (2016), Suraj was again seen in a comic role in the film “Pulimurugan” (2016). Some of the films in which Suraj played the lead role include “Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri” (2018), “Android Kunjappan Version 5,25” (2019), and “The Great Indian Kitchen” (2021). He is also known for his performance in the film “Jana Gana Mana” (2022).
Television
He acted in the TV shows “Ladies Hostel” (2005), “Ayyadi Maname” (2006), and “Junior Chanakyan” (2015), which aired on Flowers TV.
Host and Judge – Reality Shows
In 2000, he made his Television debut as an anchor on the television show “Comedy Thillana” aired on Kairali TV. He anchored some other TV shows like “Jagapoga” (2013), which aired on Kairali TV, “Comedy Super Nite” (2015) aired on Flowers TV, “Comedy Nights with Suraj” (2019) aired on Zee Keralam, and “Adi Mone Buzzer” (2022), which aired on Asianet.
Suraj Venjaramoodu (right) in the show ‘Comedy Nights with Suraj’
Suraj also appeared as a judge on various shows including “Comedy Stars Season 1” (2011), which aired on Asianet, “Bhima Jewels Comedy Festival” (2013) aired on Mazhavil Manorama, “Midukki” (2017), and “Oru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper Chiri” (2021) aired on Mazhavil Manorama.
Controversy
Trolled for making remarks on the sacred thread
Suraj Venjaramoodu was trolled on social media by netizens after his video went viral on the internet in which he was seen making insulting remarks about the string tied on his co-anchor Ashwati Srikanth’s hand in the Comedy Super Night program on Flowers channel. During the show, while looking at the hand of Ashwati Srikanth, Suraj said,
She is well-dressed in a sari, and has a dash of glamour nonetheless. All fine, except for certain knotted cords on the arm like what you see on certain banyan trees. It reminds one of the banyan tree at Sharamkuthi which has similar knotted adornments. Aren’t they an eyesore?”
The actor was alleged for offending religious sentiments, as in Hinduism, the sacred thread is considered the symbol of protection and devotion. Netizens called him anti-Hindu and planned to boycott his films. [1]Onmanorama
Awards
National Film Awards
- 2013: Best Actor for the film “Perariyathavar”
Suraj Venjaramoodu receiving an award from President Pranab Mukherjee
Kerala State Film Awards
- 2009: Best Comedian for the film “Ivar Vivahitharayal ?”
- 2010: Best Comedian for the film “Oru Naal Varum”
- 2013: Best Comedian for the films “Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus” and “Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum”
- 2019: Best Actor for the films “Vikruthi” and “Android Kunjappan Version 5.25”
South Indian International Movie Awards
- 2012: Best Actor in a Comedy Role (Malayalam) for the film “Mr. Marumakan”
North American Film Awards
- 2018: Best Supporting Actor for the film “Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum”
CPC Cine Awards
- 2019: Best Actor in a Lead Role for the films “Vikruthi,” “Android Kunjappan Version 5.25,” “Driving Licence,” and “Finals”
Asianet Film Awards
- 2007: Best Actor in Humorous Role for the film “Hallo”
- 2010: Best Actor in Humorous Role for various films
- 2011: Best Actor in Humorous Role for various films
- 2014: Best Actor in Humorous Role for the film “Cousins”
- 2017: Best Character Actor for the film “Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum”
- 2018: Best Character Actor for the films “Theevandi,” “Njan Marykutty,” and “Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri”
- 2019: Best Actor Critics Award for the film “Android Kunjappan Version 5.25”
Vanitha Film Awards
- 2010: Best Comedian for various films
- 2018: Best Supporting Actor for the film “Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum”
- 2020: Special Performance (Actor) for the films “Android Kunjappan Version 5.25” and “Driving Licence”
Asiavision Awards
- 2013: Best Comedian for the films “Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum” and “Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus”
- 2017: Outstanding Performer of the Year (male) for the film “Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum”
Asianet Comedy Awards
- 2016: Award for Multifaceted Talent for various films
- 2017: Top TV Performer and All-time favourite of Media (TV) for various TV shows
Facts/Trivia
- Suraj Venjaramoodu started his career as a stand-up comedian. He started doing mimicry shows soon after completing his studies.
- He is mainly known for his artificial mockery of the Thiruvananthapuram accent; however, he was also criticized by some audiences for this.
- Like his father and elder brother, Suraj also wanted to serve in the Indian Army, but he couldn’t do so as he broke his arm in a bicycle accident.
- He is called “Kuttappan” by his family and relatives, the meaning of which in Malayalam is good-looking or handsome.
- In 2005, Suraj assisted Mammootty in the film “Rajamanikyam” (2005) with the Thiruvananthapuram accent after which he became a known name in the Malayalam film industry.
- Apart from acting, Suraj Venjaramoodu tried his hand at writing, and he wrote two books, “Chirimayam” “Chirimayam” and “Venjaramoodu Kathakal.” In his book “Venjaramoodu Kathakal,” he wrote about his journey of becoming an actor from a common man.
References
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