Co-actor to Prithviraj, forest officer and more: Attappady hamlet guy dons multiple hats

S. Pazhaniswamy from a hamlet in Attappady (Palakkad, Kerala) has fulfilled a childhood dream that began the day he watched MGR perform the “Naan Aanaiyittal..." song on screen at the Shanthi Theatre in Kottathara. Now 47 and serving as an Assistant Beat Officer with the Forest Department, he says acting in several films over the years has given him deep satisfaction.

Pazhaniswamy is now celebrating his full-length role alongside Prithviraj in the recently released film Vilayath Buddha. He says the character he played under his own name has drawn strong appreciation from viewers.

The film was shot in parts of Idukki, Palakkad and the Walayar region. Despite earlier roles in Anwar, Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, Bhagyadevatha and Salute, he believes Sachi’s Prithviraj-starrer Ayyappanum Koshiyum marked a major turning point in his career. He adds that he has already received invitations for two films scheduled to begin production in the upcoming year.

For nearly 20 years, Pazhaniswamy has been a member of Azad Kalasangham, a collective that showcases Irula tribal dance traditions. National award-winning singer Nanjiyamma has also been part of the 20-member troupe, which has performed in Delhi, Mumbai and other major stages across India.

He has been with the Forest Department for 12 years and takes leave with government approval to pursue his acting career.

Pazhaniswamy recalls that Attappady once screened mostly Tamil films and that Malayalam films began arriving regularly only in the last 10 years.

He received the Chief Minister’s medal in 2018 and the same year won the Folklore Academy’s Yuva Prathibha Award.

His wife is Shobha. Their children are Anu Prashobhini and Adithyan. Anu became the first contestant from the Irula community to reach the Miss Kerala finals in 2022.