Suraj Venjaramoodu
Introduction '''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 250 films. He has won a National Film Award and three Kerala State Film Awards.Throughout the 2000s and towards mid-2010s, he played comedic roles in numerous films and won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Comedian three times (2009, 2010, 2013). In his later career, he found success in playing character and leading roles. In 2013, Suraj won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his lead role in ''Perariyathavar''. In 2019, he won Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for ''Android Kunjappan Version 5.25'' and ''Vikruthi''.
Early life Suraj is the youngest of the three children of Venjaramood K. Vasudevan Nair, a retired soldier from the Indian Army and Vilasini, a housewife. He was called "Kuttappan" by his parents and relatives. His elder V. Saji, was also an officer in Indian Army. His other sister Sunitha V. V. is married and settled in Thiruvananthapuram. Suraj also wanted to serve in the Army after completing his Secondary School Leaving Certificate, but had to give up as he broke his arm in a bicycle accident. He received his primary education from K.V.M.L.P.S, Venjaramoodu. He completed his Mechanical diploma course from Government ITI, Attingal and turned to mimicry soon after. His breakthrough came with ''Jagapoka'', a comedy program which was broadcast on Kairali TV.
Film career Suraj started his career as a stand-up comedian. His mimicry shows were a success with the audience and he was noted for his artificial mockery of the Thiruvananthapuram accent. Later, he was also criticised for this from some audience during his early film career. He first acted in a film named ''Jagapoga'' which was a spoof of Malayalam movies. He played the role of Pachan as well as ''Dadasahib'' in this film. However the movie was a box office flop and received negative reviews. Suraj then went on to act in several minor roles in films such as ''Rasikan'', ''Achuvinte Amma'', ''Bus Conductor'' and ''Rasathanthram''. Suraj grabbed the attention in Malayalam film industry after he assisted Mammootty with the Thiruvananthapuram accent in ''Rajamanikyam'' (2005). He would go on to act alongside Mammootty in many comedy films. The duo is considered one of the most memorable onscreen duos in Malayalam cinema. His first breakthrough came with ''Thuruppugulan'' (2006) where he played the sidekick role for the character of Mammootty. Suraj then went on to play the comedy roles in several hit films such as ''Classmates'', ''Pachakkuthira'', ''Chotta Mumbai'' and ''Hallo''. In 2007, he got his first major supporting role in ''Mayavi'', which became another major breakthrough in his career. Suraj received appreciation for his role as ''Peethamparan'' in ''Annan Thambi'' and ''Jabbar'' in ''Lollipop'', both of which released in 2008.He played the lead role for the first time with ''Duplicate'' (2009). Suraj's iconic comedy character ''Dasamoolam Damu'' came out with the movie ''Chattambinaadu'' (2009). The character became popular several years after the release of ''Chattambinaadu'' and eventually attained a cult status. He won his first Kerala State Film Award in 2009, by winning the award for the Best Comedian for his performance in ''Ivar Vivahitharayal''. He won the award again two times in 2010 and 2013 for the movies ''Oru Naal Varum'' and ''Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus'' respectively. Suraj's another popular comedy character is ''Idivettu Sugunan'' which came out with ''Pokkiriraja'' (2010). He was also praised for his role as ''Vadivelu'' in the Dileep starrer comedy movie ''Karyasthan''. Suraj played some memorable roles in the movies ''China Town'' and ''Teja Bhai & family'', both released in 2011.His other memorable comedy roles came out with the movies such as ''Mallu Singh'', ''Mr. Marumakan'', ''101 Weddings'', ''Manthrikan'', ''Sound Thoma,'' ''Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum'', ''Ring Master'', ''Bhaiyya Bhaiyya'', ''Cousins'' and ''Two Countries''.Suraj's potential to play the character and lead roles came out in 2013 as he won that year's National Award for his performance in ''Perariyathavar'', at the 61st National Film Awards. Noted filmmaker and jury chairman Saeed Mirza, while announcing Suraj's award in a press meet, said: "Suraj has played a municipal sweeper in the film but it is an incredibly dignified performance. He excels in comedy but in this film Suraj has brilliantly played a reticent character. I would not have been able to sleep had his name not been in the list of awardees".Suraj received critical appreciation for his acting with a potent cameo in ''Action Hero Biju'' (2016). This movie was also a turning point in his career and a breakthrough performance as he underwent a complete evolution with his acting. In ''Karinkunnam 6's'', he portrayed a ruthless police officer and in ''Oru Muthassi Gadha'', he played the lead role. Suraj returned to do the comedy role with the 2016 blockbuster ''Pulimurugan''. In the movie ''Aby'' (2017) he played the character of a selfish neighbour. Suraj's another critically acclaimed performance came out with ''Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum'' (2017), where he played a lead character alongside Fahad Fasil, who also received appreciation for his performance. He went on to play lead roles in ''Varnyathil Aashanka'' and ''Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri'' (2018). He bagged the Kerala State Film Award for the Best Actor in 2019 for his performance in ''Vikruthi'' and ''Android Kunjappan Version 5.25'', both the films in which he played a lead role alongside Soubin Shahir. His performance in ''Driving License'' alongside Prithviraj also received appreciation. In 2021, Suraj played the lead role in ''The Great Indian Kitchen'' which received positive reactions from various film critics and was well received by the audience. In 2022, he played a pivotal role in Prithviraj starrer ''Jana Gana Mana'' which was critically acclaimed and was a commercial success.
Personal life In 2005, Suraj married Supriya at Vaikuntam Auditorium, near Padmanabhaswamy Temple. They have three children: Kashinathan, Vasudev and Hridya. Kashinathan has acted in the films ''Annan Thampi'' and ''Teja Bhai & Family''.
Awards and nominations + List of Suraj Venjaramoodu awards and nominations Award Year Category Film ResultNational Film Awards2013Best Actor''Perariyathavar'' Kerala State Film Awards2009Best Comedian''Ivar Vivahitharayal''2010Best Comedian''Oru Naal Varum''2013Best Comedian 2019Best Actor South Indian International Movie Awards2012Best Actor in a Comedy Role (Malayalam)''Mr. Marumakan''2013Best Actor in a Comedy Role (Malayalam)''Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum''2017Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Malayalam)''Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum''2019Best Actor (Malayalam)  Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Malayalam) CPC Cine Awards2019Best Actor in a Lead Role North American Film Awards2018Best Supporting Actor''Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum''Asianet Film Awards2007Best Actor in Humorous Role''Hallo''2010Best Actor in Humorous Role''Various films''2011Best Actor in Humorous Role''Various films''2014Best Actor in Humorous Role''Cousins''2017Best Character Actor''Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum''2018Best Character Actor 2019Best Actor Critics Award''Android Kunjappan Version 5.25''Vanitha Film Awards2010Best Comedian''Various films''2018Best Supporting Actor''Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum''2020Special Performance (Actor) Asiavision Awards2013Best Comedian 2017Outstanding Performer Of the Year(male)''Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum''Asianet Comedy Awards2016Award for Multifaceted Talent''Various Films''2017 ''Various TV Shows''
Filmography === Films ===+ List of Suraj Venjaramoodu film credits Year Titile Role Notes  2001  ''Ladies & Gentleman''   ''Sukhamo Sukam''   2002  ''Jagapoga''  Dada Sahib / Pachu  ''Basket''   2003  ''Anyar''   2004  ''Sethurama Iyer CBI''  Broker  ''Kottaram Vaidyan''  Veeramani  ''Rasikan''   2005  ''Achuvinte Amma''  Bus Conductor CentralGeorge ''Kalyana Kurimanam''  Sugunan  ''Bus Conductor''  Bus Conductor  2006  ''Shyamam''  Sankaran  ''Rashtram''  Pashupathi  ''Rasathanthram''  Suresh  ''Thuruppugulan''  Appukuttan  ''Pachakuthira''  Police officer  ''Classmates''  Ousepp  2007  ''Sketch''  Bhaskaran  ''Mayavi''  Giri  ''Chotta Mumbai''  Suni  ''Arabikkatha''  James Thiruvananthapuram  ''Hallo''  Inspector  ''Nadiya Kollappetta Rathri''  Thathamangalam Muthuraj  ''Subadram''   ''Veeralipattu''  Pavithran  ''Ali Bhai''  Podi Patty Kujashu  ''Rock & Roll''  Music composer Maharaja (P. P. Shiju)  ''Flash''   ''Katha Parayumbol''  Pappan Kudumaloor  ''Romeo''  Prasanth  ''Kanaka Simhasanam''  Gopalan  ''Kangaroo''  Babychan  ''Rakshakan''  Kusumakumar  2008  ''College Kumaran''  Bhargavan  ''Kabadi Kabadi''  Rameshan  ''Malabar Wedding''  Pookkatta Satheeshan  ''Mulla''  Bijumon  ''Annan Thambi''  Peethambaran  ''Pachamarathanalil''   ''Shakespeare M.A. Malayalam''  Chalikkad Joshy(Junior ONV)  ''One Way Ticket''  ''Madambi''  Thallu Kolli (Keedam)  ''Parunthu''  Mahendran  ''Veruthe Oru Bharya''  Kabir  ''Kurukshetra''   ''Mayabazar''  Paachu  ''Sultan''   ''Twenty:20''  Ramu  ''LollyPop''  Jabbar  2009  ''Love in Singapore''  Peethambharan Kalarikkavila  ''Hailesa''  Ulpalaksha Pankajaksha Markendayen  ''Venal Maram''  Manoharan  ''Bharya Swantham Suhurthu''   ''Samastha Keralam PO''  Abdu  ''Currency''  Indrabalan  ''Operation Duryodhana''   ''Ivar Vivahitharayal''  Adv. Mannanthala Susheel Kumar  ''Dr. Patient''  Indrabalan  ''Ee Pattanathil Bhootham''  Shishupalan  ''Rahasya Police''  Prayikara Appy/S.I Prakash  ''Daddy Cool''  Mayankutty  ''Oru Black And White Kudumbam''  Manjula Kumaran alias Manjulan  ''Shudharil Shudhan''   ''Kaana Kanmani''  Bhaskaran  ''Loudspeaker''  counselor (Eswarapilla Kumara Pillai alias e.p.ku.pi)  ''Duplicate''  Shivankutty / Jeevanraj  ''Parayan Marannathu''   ''Kerala Cafe''  Kunjappayi  ''Utharaswayamvaram''  Pathalam Shaji  ''Kappal Muthalaali'' Josekutty  ''Gulumal: The Escape''  A T S Shambhu  ''Banaras''  Swami Bhogananda Chathi  ''My Big Father''  Tony ''Chattambinaadu''  Dasamoolam Damu  2010  ''Happy Husbands''  Rajboss (Rajappan)  ''Again Kasargod Khader Bhai''  Mithun Chakravarthy alias MC ''Drona 2010''  Raghu Uthaman  ''Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policum''  S.I Simon Sebastian  ''Payyans''  Brittas  ''Thanthonni''  Achu  ''Bhramaasthram''   ''Puthumukhangal''  Sandeep Menon  ''Pramaani''  ''Pokkiri Raja''  Idi-Vettu Sugunan  ''Nallavan''  Chittaranjan Muthalaali  ''Plus Two''  professor  ''Oru Naal Varum''  Driver Girijan  ''Thaskara Lahala''   ''Malarvaadi Arts Club''  Shekharan  ''Neelambari''   ''Sakudumbam Shyamala''  Kollamkaavu Pappan  ''Ammanilavu''   ''Advocate Lakshmanan - Ladies Only''  Gumasthan  ''Nirakazhcha''   ''Swantham Bharya Zindabad''   ''3 Char Sau Bees'' CI Sathyan  ''Shikkar''  Barber Kuttappan  ''Elsamma Enna Aankutty''  Broker Thomachan  ''Chekavar''   ''Oridathoru Postman''  PC Abhilash  ''Four Friends''  Ringgit Shashi  ''Kaaryasthan''  Vadivelu  ''Best of Luck''  Shangai Pushpan  ''Senior Mandrake''  S.I Kidukkan  ''Oru Small Family''  Bejoysh  ''Koottukaar''   100th Film ''College Days''  Shine Raj  2011  ''Note Out''  Vasu  ''The Metro''  Sujathan  ''Arjunan Saakshi''   ''Makeup Man''  Kichu  ''Khaddama''  Usman  ''Nadakame Ulakam''   ''Christian Brothers'' chef  ''China Town''  Chandran Valanjavazhi  ''Doubles''  Adv. Lawrence  ''Seniors''  Thavala Thampi  ''Kanakompathu''   ''Lucky Jokers''   ''Ulakam Chuttum Valiban''  Chengeri Sethu  ''Priyappetta Nattukare''   ''Kottarathil Kutti Bhootham''   ''Shankaranum Mohananum''   ''The Filmstaar'' Sugunan  ''Kunjettan''   ''Adaminte Makan Abu''  Hyder  ''Kadhayile Nayika''  Sugunan  ''Teja Bhai & Family''  Swami Rajaguru Vashyavachassu  ''Mohabbath''   ''Shivapuram''   ''Ninnishtam Ennishtam 2''   ''Innanu Aa Kalyanam''   ''Three Kings''  Achuveetil Achankunju ''Happy Durbar''   ''Sandwich''  Andipetty Naykkar  ''Pachuvum Kovalanum''   ''Oru Marubhoomikkadha''  Koya  ''Venicile Vyaapari''  Chandran Pillai  ''Oru Nunakkadha''  Chachappan  ''Sarkar Colony''  Banykuttan  ''Bombay Mittayi''   2012  ''Kunjaliyan''  Preman  ''Padmasree Bharat Dr. Saroj Kumar''  Muttathara Babu  ''Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty''  Shibulal  ''Perinoru Makan''  Sugunan  ''Lakshmi Vilasam Renuka Makan Raghuraman''   ''Scene Onnu Nammude Veedu''   ''Oru Kudumba Chithram''  Govardhanan  ''Doctor Innocent aanu''   ''Prabhuvinte Makkal''   ''Josettande Hero''   ''Mullassery Madhavan Kutty Nemom P. O.'' ''Mallu Singh''  Susheelan  ''Spirit''  Minister Muralikrishnan  ''Mr. Marumakan''  Chantha Hamsa  ''Bhoopadathil Illatha Oridam''  Opposition Leader  ''Husbands in Goa''  Vasco  ''Kaashh''  Trickster  ''Gruhanathan''  Thampan  ''Ezham Suryan''  ''Ee Thirakkinidayil''   ''Ardhanaari''   ''101 Weddings''  Sundareshan  ''Manthrikan''    ''Vellaripravinte Changathi''  Himself  Cameo 2013  ''Isaac Newton S/O Philipose''  Kottur Stephen  ''My Fan Ramu''   ''Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath''  Sebastien Kuzhiveli  ''Kutteem Kolum''  Chandran  ''Red Wine''  Joe Sebastian  ''Sound Thoma''  Uruppadi  ''Ithu Manthramo Thanthramo Kuthanthramo''  S.I. Premlal  ''Rebecca Uthup Kizhakkemala''  Balan  ''Abhiyum Njanum''  S. P. Mahesh  ''God for Sale: Bhakthi Prasthanam''  Kamalahasanan, Bhaskaran  ''Pigman''  Dr. Daniel  ''Left Right Left''  S P Mohammed Bilal  ''Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum''  Mamachan  ''Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus''  Kunjachan  ''Vishudhan''  Thomachan  ''Nadodimannan''  Sarasappan  ''Ms. Lekha Tharoor Kanunnathu''  Edison Igneius  ''Good Bad & Ugly''  Benz Vasu  ''Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal''  Prem Raj  2014  ''Ettekaal Second''  Sandeep's uncle  ''Malayalakkara Residency''  Advocate Sreekesh Kumar BA, LLB  ''Pedithondan''   ''Ring Master''  Advocate Shravan  ''Polytechnic''  Sakhavu Che ''Law Point''  Kurian Jose  ''How Old Are You''  Benny  ''Ulsaha Committee''  Natholi  ''Bhaiyya Bhaiyya''  Soman  ''Vellivelichathil''   ''Garbhasreeman''  Sudheendran  ''Sreenivasan Paranja Kadha''   ''Cousins''  Pauly  2015  ''Elanjikkavu P.O''   ''Ammakkoru Tharattu''   ''Perariyathavar''  Father  200th Film  —National Award for Best Actor ''She Taxi''  K.T. Salman  ''Chandrettan Evideya''  Narayanan Ilayath  ''Aashamsakalode Anna''   ''Samrajyam II: Son of Alexander''  Theeppori Thankappan  ''Madhura Naranga''  Kasargod Ibrahim (Icha)  ''Jamna Pyari''  S.P Sabu  ''Life of Josutty''  Varkey  ''Ben''  Justin  ''Female Unnikrishnan''  Unnikrishnan  ''Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal''  minister  ''Two Countries''  Jimmy Chockly 2016  ''Action Hero Biju''  Pavithran  ''Angane Thanne Nethave... Anjettennam Pinnale''   ''Kammatipaadam''  Sumesh  ''Oru Murai Vanthu Parthaya''  ghost hunter Suni  ''Shajahanum Pareekuttiyum''  Detective Mathews  ''Anyarku Praveshanamilla''  Valanjavazhi Shinjo  ''Campus Diary''   ''Karinkunnam 6'S''  Nelson  ''Dooram''   ''Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho''  Susheelan Kochettan  ''Oru Muthassi Gadha''  Siby  ''Aneezya''   ''Pulimurugan''  Poongayi Sasi  2017  ''Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol''  Thilothaman  ''Aby''  Xavier  ''Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum''  Prasad  ''Role Models''  news reporter  ''Devayanam''   ''Dance Dance''   ''Vakku''   ''Vilakkumaram''  Fawas Ali  ''Varnyathil Aashanka''  Dayanandhan  2018  ''Parole''  Varghese  ''Aabhaasam''  Kili  ''Saavari''  Savari  ''Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri''  Plachiottil Kuttan Pillai  ''Njan Marykutty''  Manoj Vaidyan  ''Neerali''  Veerappa  ''Theevandi''  Madhu  2019  ''Mikhael''  Police Officer – Issac  ''Peranbu''  Amudhavan's friend  Malayalam version ''Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel''  SI P Mohanan Pillai  ''Madhura Raja''  Idivettu Sugunan  Cameo ''Oru Yamandan Premakadha''  Francis  ''Evidey''  Satheeshan  ''Pathinettaam Padi''  Kaniyapuram Narendran  ''Subharathri''  Adv. Harikumar  ''Finals''  P. Varghese  250th film ''Vikruthi''  Eldo  —Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor ''Android Kunjappan Version 5.25''  VK Bhaskara Poduval  —Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor ''Chila NewGen Nattuvisheshangal''  Madhusudhanan Nair  ''Jimmy Ee Veedinte Aishwaryam''  Dimitri Rodigruez  ''Driving License''  MVI Joseph Kuruvila  2021  ''Anugraheethan Antony''  Antappan  ''The Great Indian Kitchen''  The husband  ''Randuper''   ''Kaanekkaane''  Paul Mathai  Released on SonyLIV ''Bheemante Vazhi''  Manjali Tarseus  2022  ''Jana Gana Mana''  ACP Sajjan Kumar  ''Pathaam Valavu''  Solomon  ''Heaven'' CI Peter Kurishingal  ''Autorickshawkarante Bharya''  Sajeevan  ''Mukundan Unni Associates''  Adv. Venu  ''Roy''  Roy  Released on SonyLIV 2023  ''Ennalum Ente Aliya''  Balu   ''Enkilum Chandrike''  Pavithran  ''Higuita''  Panniyannur Mukundan  ''Madanolsavam''  Madanan            Chandran ===Television===+ List of Suraj Venjaramoodu television credits Year Title Role Channel 2000  Comedy Thillana  Anchor  Kairali TV2003–2005Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam ActorAsianet2005SanthanagopalamActor Asianet2005Ladies HostelActor Asianet2006Ayyadi ManameActorKairali TV2011–2012Comedy Stars Season 1JudgeAsianet2013Jagapoga  Anchor Kairali TV2013  Bhima Jewels Comedy Festival JudgeMazhavil Manorama2013Bharthanganmarude SradhakkuJudgeAsianet2014–2017Manampole Mangalyam  Host JaiHind TV2015–2016Comedy Super Nite  Anchor Flowers TV 2015Junior ChanakyanActorFlowers TV2016Sell me the answerTemporary Host (in for Mukesh) Asianet2016–2017 Deal Or No DealHost Surya TV2017–2018 Comedy Super night 3 Anchor Flowers TV2017MidukkiJudgeMazhavil Manorama2018–2019Thakarppan Comedy Mimicry mahamelaJudge / AnchorMazhavil Manorama2019Comedy Nights with SurajAnchorZee Keralam2020–2021Funny Nights with Pearle MaaneyAnchorZee Keralam2021Oru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper ChiriJudgeMazhavil Manorama2022Fastest Family First Adi Mone Buzzer Season 2AnchorAsianet2023Star Singer Junior Season 3GuestAsianet
Notes
References
External links * *  Profile at msidb.org*  Interview on ''JB Junction'' – ''YouTube''