Kochi: Jayaram, a lead actor in Malayalam cinema for over three decades, recently reflected on his career and the influence of his mentor, the late Padmarajan. Jayaram began his film journey with the movie Aparan, directed by Padmarajan, and returned to the industry after a break with the film Ozler, directed by Midhun Manuel Thomas.

In a conversation with a media channel, Jayaram recounted a poignant memory of Padmarajan, who reached out to him during a challenging time when several of Jayaram's films had failed. "After my films began to flop, Padmarajan called and said, 'Don’t worry; I will cast you as the lead in the next film,'" Jayaram recalled. Tragically, Padmarajan passed away that very night.

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Describing Padmarajan as a father figure, Jayaram said, "He was like a godfather to me. He always had something encouraging to say." He reminisced about an encounter during promotions of the film Njan Gandharvan. Padmarajan had invited him to visit, saying, "I will be at 'Ramanilayam'; you must come to see me."

When Jayaram arrived at the location, he found Padmarajan lying on a bed. "He called me over, and I lay down next to him. He said, 'It’s okay if there are many failures; don’t let it bother you. Soon, we will be making a wonderful film, and you will play the lead role. You will succeed in that.' He said these words just before he passed away that night."

Jayaram’s heartfelt memories highlight the deep bond he shared with Padmarajan, whose legacy continues to inspire him and many others in the industry.