Jagadish

Early life

Jagadish was born as the fifth son among six children to K. Parameshwaran Nair and P. Bhasurangi Amma on 12 June 1955 in Chenkal, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. His father was a school teacher and his mother was a housewife. He has two elder brothers, Harikumar and Ravikumar; a younger brother, Surendrakumar; and two elder sisters, Raji and Indira. He had his primary education from Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram. He earned a bachelor's in commerce from Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram. Jagadish post-graduated with a Master of Commerce from Mar Ivanios College, Nalanchira, Trivandrum under the University of Kerala with first rank. He became an officer with the Federal Bank and later he became a lecturer in M.G. College, Thiruvananthapuram, a college run by NSS. He had dreams of becoming a film actor, so he took a long leave from his job and tried his luck in films.

Family

Jagadish is married to Dr. P. Rama, a forensic professor in the Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. The couple have two daughters, both now married and having their own children. They are settled at Kaladi, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram.

Career

Jagadish debuted in films with a minor role in My Dear Kuttichathan (1984), which was India's first 3-D film. Jagadish became an established actor with his roles in Mutharamkunnu P.O. (1985), Nandi Veendum Varika (1986), Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal (1987) and Vandanam (1989). In his early career, he wrote stories and screenplays for a few films including Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986) (story), Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal (1987) (dialogue) and Adhipan (1989) (screenplay). Jagadish's performance as Appukkuttan in In Harihar Nagar (1990), directed by Siddique-Lal, was highly acclaimed. Jagadish proved himself again with terrific comic timing with his role as Mayeen kutty in Godfather (1991), which was directed by the same director duo. With the success of these movies, Jagadish became one of the most popular actors in the early to mid-1990s. He acted in the leading role in more than 30 low-budget films, some of which were successes at the box office. He acted in the family-oriented movies Sthree dhanam, Bharya, Ponnaranthottathe Rajavu, and Mr and Mrs. He also acted in the slapstick comedies Pavam IA Ivachan, and Kunukkitta Kozhi. In most movies he shared the hero role with the likes of Mukesh and Siddique. In his prime, he also acted in supporting roles with Mammootty, Mohanlal and Jayaram. The roles in Butterflies, Minnaminunginum Minnukettu and Jackpot earned loud applause from the audience.

In the late 1990s and 2000s, Jagadish failed to reinvent himself as a strong actor and continued doing the same kind of roles as his younger days which did not go well with the audience. Also, a new generation of comedy actors were rising. He later appeared in stage shows conducted in foreign countries with his self-mocking stances and improvised dialogues.

Jagadish again got a break in his career in 2009 with his reappearance as "Appukkuttan" in Harihar Nagar 2, a sequel to In Harihar Nagar. The film went on to become a hit. This proved to be vital for Jagdish as he got another opportunity as the hero in another movie, Decent Parties. Jagadish was established as a comedian and light-hearted hero who evokes spontaneous laughter with a certain whimsical oddity; this was his humour quotient.

Later Jagadish played roles that distinguished himself from his earlier stereotyped comedy roles, which has cost him dearly with the audience. In 2010 he scripted for the film April Fool, which was literally copied from Dinner for Schmucks, and the poor scripting resulted in failure. After a hiatus he came alive through television programs as a chief judge for the comedy programme Vodafone Comedy Stars in Asianet and anchored the channel's organized award functions.. His policing changed the pattern of existing comedy through media into tight politically correct skits with light humor and morals. This screen presence brought him back more roles in big movies and his compatibility as a superstar both in front of the camera and on the TV stage was well praised by channels. He revealed in an interview as his fellow generation of actors were turning to production, he also is planning to direct a movie with Mammootty in the lead role.

Awards

Asianet Film Awards

Writer

1. April Fool (2010) (screenplay and dialogue)
2. Ganamela (1991) (story and screenplay)
3. Minda Poochakku Kalyanam (1990) (screenplay and dialogue)
4. Adhipan (1989) (screenplay and dialogue)
5. News (1989) (screenplay and dialogue)
6. Oru Muthassi Katha (1988) (story)
7. Manivatharile Aayiram Sivarathrikal (1987) (dialogue)
8. Nandi Veendum Varika (1986) (story)
9. Ponnukudathinu Pottu (1986) (story)
10. Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986) (story)
11. Akkare Ninnoru Maran (1985) (story)
12. Mutharamkunnu P.O. (1985) (story)

Camera

1. Ahalya (1978)
2. Punyam (2002)