was a fifth grade student at Model School in Trivandrum 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, Trivandrum. 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 appraised for his performance as Kavala in the sentimental drama film Moonnam Pakkam (1988). The same year he played Vikram in Oru C.B.I Diary Kurippu and reprised the character in the sequel of the movie. 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 comedy 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 accalimed. 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). His other notable movies among many in the 1990s include Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam, Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum (1990), Kottayam Kunjachan,