How Mollywood’s comedy stars are becoming strongest pillars

Comedy remains one of the most overlooked yet cherished genres in cinema. It undeniably holds a special place in the hearts of moviegoers. In Malayalam cinema, it’s no secret that many comedy films owe their popularity not to the lead actors, but to the supporting artistes who brought the humour alive on screen.

Icons like Innocent, Salim Kumar, Cochin Haneefa, Kuthiravattam Pappu, Jagadish, Jagathy Sreekumar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Indrans are just a few names who effortlessly carried the weight of comedy in countless films. Meanwhile, mainstream stars like Mammootty and Mohanlal often served as the face of the film to draw audiences to the theatres.As with many other film industries, Mollywood too had a tendency to typecast these actors solely in comic roles, often limiting their opportunities to explore other facets of performance.

Several of these actors have even spoken openly about being stereotyped and their desire to take on more serious, performance-driven roles.Interestingly, the current generation of actors shows a deep admiration for these veteran comedy legends. Many aspire to emulate their impeccable comic timing while also seeking out diverse roles. For film lovers who grew up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, these actors are etched in memory for their unforgettable contributions to light-hearted cinema.

Over the years, the tide has turned. Many of these comedy stalwarts have successfully transitioned into serious, performance-heavy roles. Suraj Venjaramoodu, Jagadish, and Indrans, once synonymous with humour, are now captivating audiences with emotionally intense portrayals. This shift in their careers has been both surprising and thrilling for their fans.Yet, beneath this transformation lies a touch of nostalgia.

Audiences who once laughed wholeheartedly at their antics now find themselves missing the light-hearted roles that defined a generation. As we explore the journey of these artists from comedic brilliance to dramatic depth, we also reflect on their experiences — from breaking free of stereotypes to still harbouring a fondness for roles that bring joy and laughter."I'd like to call it a take-off in In Harihar Nagar as Appukuttan" – Jagadish

Actor PV Jagadish Kumar, widely known as Jagadish in the Malayalam industry, is still remembered by many as the humorous Appukuttan from Siddique-Lal's In Harihar Nagar.

The actor, who once defined comedy for Mollywood lovers, experienced a dramatic shift in his career with films such as Rorschach, Purusha Pretham, Neru, Marco, Rekhachithram, and many others in recent times.Jagadish joins ETimes to discuss how this career shift came about and how he now approaches his stardom.The actor was asked about his thoughts when reflecting on his comedy roles in films such as In Harihar Nagar and Vellinakshatram."The thing is, once we are introduced to the film industry, the role we portray in the beginning, in those early days, tends to stay in the audience's mind. For example, in My Dear Kuttichathan, I played a comedic cameo, and in my second film, Odaruthammava Aalariyam, I again played a humorous role. So I was typecast. People thought, 'Okay, Jagadish is someone who does comedy roles,' and I started getting a series of such roles, like in Vellanakalude Naadu, and so on.Watching my performances in those films, Siddique-Lal were impressed with my comedic timing and gave me a big break. I’d like to call it a take-off in In Harihar Nagar as Appukuttan. They believed I was the right person to play that character. Appukuttan was another take-off in my career. The character and the film were both super hits. It was Harihar Nagar that made me a hero. I acted as a hero in 40 films simply because Harihar Nagar was that successful — a major hit.Producers and directors gained confidence in casting me as a hero. But I had never dreamt of becoming a hero. I always thought I’d become a college lecturer or professor, doing two or three roles a year. But destiny had other plans. After Harihar Nagar, I was fortunate enough to play the lead in 40 films. Even in those, about 75% were humorous roles — light-hearted roles that suited me as a hero. Not the kind of roles played by Mammootty, Mohanlal, or Suresh Gopi.

It wasn’t that I was cast because others weren't available. I got lead roles that fit my persona.For instance, consider actors like Bhagyaraj, Amol Palekar, or Mehmood. The roles they portrayed were suited to them. If those roles were given to Rajinikanth or Kamal Haasan, they wouldn’t have been as effective — and vice versa. I wouldn’t have been able to pull off the roles Mammootty or Mohanlal did, and I’m quite sure of that.In Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans, Renji Panicker and Shaji Kailas crafted the character of Gopalakrishnan — a newspaper boy turned minister — in such a way that even the character admits, 'My voice may not be harsh or strong.' What they meant was, my voice is not like Mammootty’s or Mohanlal’s. The character was shaped to suit me. He was an ordinary, middle-class man who becomes a minister — not a fierce fighter. I had strong dialogues, but I was asked to deliver them in my own style, not like Mammootty or Mohanlal.What I mean to say is that the roles offered to me were designed for my comfort zone — in my own Jagadish style. Directors told me not to think of myself as a superstar or hero, but simply as Jagadish playing a central character. Not to let the typical 'hero' image occupy my mind.I managed to do 40 films as a lead. In some, I could also perform emotionally well — like Sthreedhanam, Arya, and Welcome to Kodaikanal. These films had strong emotional elements and were successful too.We celebrated 100-day runs for Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans, Welcome to Kodaikanal, and Sthreedhanam — all were super hits. But I also had many average films, and some flopped financially. I should admit that. Even when I was playing lead roles, I was particular about doing supporting roles as well.From the set of Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans, I went to the set of Jackpot with Mammootty, where I played a comedian. Even while playing the lead, I found time to act as a comedian with Mohanlal in films like Butterflies, Manthrikam, and Nirnayam.

I played comic roles with Mammootty in Jackpot, Sangham, Hitler.I knew the hero phase would be short-lived. I never expected to bask in the glory of being a hero for long. I was sure of that. So, I gradually moved to character roles — mostly comic. Back then, I wasn’t happy seeing actors like Siddique and Sai Kumar already turning into character artistes, while I faced hesitation from directors to be cast in serious roles.

I even complained to Innocent, who told me, 'Don’t worry, you're still getting good roles.

Forget senior and elderly roles — we’re there to handle them. When the time comes, the audience will accept you too.'Directors like Lal Jose used to say, 'Jagadish, we can’t imagine you as a hero’s father. You don’t look that old.' That was my problem. I told them, 'I may not look old, but I am old. I may look young, but I’m not young.' But what matters is appearance — and I didn’t look like a father figure, so I wasn’t cast in such roles.Then came a turning point. Director Ranjith had the courage to cast me in a very negative father role in Leela. I give full credit to him — he transformed me into a character actor, a senior character actor. I may have done character roles earlier, but in Leela, I played the heroine’s father — my first significant elderly role.The film wasn’t a box office success, but the role clicked. When it was released on OTT and satellite TV, everyone noticed it and praised my performance — especially the younger generation.

That gave me confidence. It also gave directors and writers the confidence to cast me in different roles.The next step came with the role of Constable Ashraf in Rorschach. Since then, I’ve been lucky to land meaningful, varied roles.About Falimy — you can’t really call it a serious or humorous role. It’s a character role. I performed it seriously, but the impact was comedic in certain scenes — and that worked. I even turned villain in Abraham Ozler and Marco.

So, I broke free from my comedian image. That’s how I transitioned into a character actor.I’ve done many kinds of character roles — in Rorschach, Falimy, Garudan, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil, Ajayante Randam Moshanam, Kishkindha Kaandam, Officer on Duty, and Mohanlal’s film Neru with Jeethu Joseph.All these helped my career significantly. Now, I try to choose roles that are different. I’m not concerned with how many films I do — but I want each role to be distinct.In Purusha Pretham, Constable Dileep was a lovely role — I really enjoyed it. I’m also in Krishand’s Sambhava Vivaranam Nalarasangham – The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang, which will stream on Sony LIV soon. I’m playing a writer’s role. Right now, I’m working with Krishand on 'Mastishka Maranam: Simon’s Memories' — again, a very different role. I’m looking forward to collaborating with these young directors, and I don’t mind asking them for good roles.

When asked whether he misses playing humorous roles now, he said, “I love to do humorous roles. I love to do comedy roles. I’m fully confident that I’ll be able to do comedy — not the comedy of the early stages, but the comedy of the present day. Krishand will tell you how I can adjust to the present situation — present-day films — and how I can transform myself into present-day comedy. I am fully confident. I will be able to. I want to have a role like that.

I would like to perform very humorous roles. And I can do it. I can do a role like that. In the present day, I can transform myself into the character.Because if anyone asks me, ‘What is your plus point?’ — my plus point is my adaptability. Yeah. I can adapt to any type of role. After 10 years… the scenario after 15 years is ‘Mastishka Maranam’. You may witness it in 2040. That is what Krishand has to portray in it.

For example, the roles that Fahadh Faasil is performing now.

Whatever. If that character is 50, or 55, or 60 years old — I would like to perform that role. I will not be influenced, or I won’t copy Fahadh. I would be very different. What the character of Fahadh is doing — if that character is 50 years of age — then I will definitely be able to do that role. I don’t want to do these very young, 30- or 25-year-old characters. I don’t.

I won’t. I won’t.The character — elderly, humorous, comedy roles — I would like to perform as a father or as an uncle, as a politician.

If it is a comedy role, it doesn’t mean that after Marco, people won’t accept my comedy roles. Not like that. Even after Marco, I am confident that my comedy roles will click. Because comedy is there in my heart. It is in my blood. It is in my blood. Yeah. And the observation — even now, I’m observing people, observing situations.

So the comedy is with me. I love to do comedy.The only thing is — good script. If the script is good, the comedy will be good.

Yeah. If not, people would say, ‘Jagadish tries his level best to do comedy, but it doesn’t work.’ Script means everything. Even if it’s serious, it’s the same. It will be a flop. I’m still confident that the script should be good, and the director should be good. I can do the comedy of Appukuttan in Harihar Nagar. If the director and writer are with me, I am ready to do the comedy of Appukuttan.

I would also like to see myself on screen as a person doing comedy roles.

I like to play the elderly roles of Amitabh Bachchan and Utpal Dutt.”When asked about the exit of Paresh Rawal from the 'Hera Pheri 3' franchise and how people were shocked and disappointed, Jagadish said: “If the script is good, people won’t be disappointed.”

He concluded:“I will be able to excel in comedy roles also. Okay. I want to do all the different genres. Now a director was narrating a story — it was a very serious story. But I will definitely do some comedy roles.”