National Award-winning actor Suraj Venjaramoodu, who rose to stardom from his roots in mimicry, shares his remarkable journey with us. From his early days of laughter-filled performances to his evolution into a versatile actor, Suraj takes us through the twists and turns of his career, offering an intimate glimpse into the life that led him to become one of the most beloved figures in Indian cinema.

Many talk about the life that started as a dream, but for me, reaching this point has been a journey through circumstances where I didn’t even have the courage to dream of a good life. Facing the wonders life has given me, I can’t help but be in awe. When I look back on the roads I’ve traveled, sometimes, without even realising, tears fill my eyes.
 

placeholder
Suraj Venjaramoodu
For years, cinema has been my companion. Many characters, stages, TV shows... The days passed in front of the spotlight, where I smiled and made others smile. Wrapped in laughter, I shaped who I am today. Over time, I've learned to find laughter in crowds and in casual conversations. But lately, I've noticed a shift in people's sense of humour. Today’s audience discards many jokes, even those consciously crafted for fun, under the label of 'cheap'. 'Situational comedies' seem to be more successful in films. Many scenes written solely for laughs, detached from the plot, often fade into obscurity.  The word ‘political correctness’ has also gained power when it comes to humour. The times have taught us that any form of humour that causes mental distress to an individual or group, no matter how much laughter it generates, should be avoided. The greatest humour today isn't found in a two-and-a-half-hour film, but in the trolls that flood our mobile phones. The sense of humour behind all of this is evident, even if unspoken. My attempt to make people laugh began back in high school. In the eighth grade, I started training in mimicry. My childhood led me to mimicry through my elder brother. He, along with his friends, formed a mimicry troupe named ‘Venjaramoodu Friends Circle’, and I joined them to lend a helping hand. From there, I learnt and observed a great deal. At no point in my life did I dream that mimicry and acting would define my future. Now, I realise that life itself is more surprising than any film storyline. In a time when my voice wasn't heard, I sometimes laughed at the clever tricks I pulled off under the name of mimicry. There were no grand life lessons or guidance available. Every step was my own discovery—every leap a self-assured stride. The only thing I had was the courage to face whatever came my way. The drive to make people laugh was the fuel for my journey.
placeholder
By the time I finished school, I had realised that my laughter had many takers. A pivotal moment came with the death of my grandmother during my eighth grade. My interventions in the mourning home altered the course of my life. My grandmother’s house was right next door. As the death rites were carried out over 16 days, relatives remained in the ancestral home. After the first two days, the tears and sorrow of loss slowly faded, and conversations among the relatives became a focal point. After school, I would head straight to the mourning home. My primary job? Filling the room with laughter in front of family members who had just had a meal of kanji (porridge) and payaru (green gram). With no pre-scripted lines, I improvised several jokes that left the mourners in fits of laughter. It was there, in that mourning home, that I first realised I had the ability to make people laugh. Even after the funeral rites concluded, people kept reminiscing about the humour I brought to the household. Later, I was invited to perform at various venues. I remember clearly being invited by my uncle to perform mimicry at Karakulam Temple. It felt like the beginning of my life on stage. From that moment, I made a quiet promise to myself: to fill every space I entered with laughter. I became a keen observer of how people spoke, the styles they used and the exchanges they had. Soon, more and more people started gathering to hear me perform. My journey into cinema began the same way—with laughter. Even today, I receive constant questions in my inbox and comment sections asking why I stopped doing comic roles. There was a time when I didn’t mind taking on comedy roles, but today, the reality is that I’ve mostly been offered serious characters. After winning the National Award, some people ask if I have decided that serious roles are the only path forward. I know the film that won me the award wasn’t seen by many. But the role I played in Action Hero Biju – where I starred alongside Nivin Pauly, was the one that truly redefined my career. It was that role that reshaped the perception of my acting.
placeholder
I recall how, after the release of the film, many writers and directors called me to congratulate me on my performance. Soon after, they came to see me in roles that were far beyond comedy. As an artist, I’ve always been eager to take on new and challenging roles. Therefore, I’ve stepped away from comedy, but I still long to entertain with humour. My biggest hope for the coming year is that roles that make people laugh will come my way. It’s been an incredible journey from mimicry to acting. The lessons I've learned along the way have made me realise the true power of humour in bringing people together, lifting spirits, and transforming lives.