He has always been associated with big names — starting off as an actor with the legend Padmarajan, he went on to portray main roles in movies of directors Bharathan, Sathyan Anthikkad, Rajasenan, Kamal, Sibi Malayil, etc and soon became the darling of family audience. It has been 29 years since Jayaram walked in to the hearts of Malayalees through Aparan.
When his contemporaries opted to work with debutant directors, Jayaram continued with his old hit-maker pals for almost 10 years. But in 2015, he collaborated with Kannan Thamarakulam for his debut movie Thinkal Muthal Velli Vare. Since then, he has been part of Kannan’s movies — Aadupuliyattom last year and the upcoming Achayans. Jayaram says he has developed a very close bonding with the director. “Kannan has a great sense of humour. He has good observation skills and can convey things in an interesting way. I like to work with such persons. That’s why I have been part of all his movies.”
However, these projects were not planned ones. “All these projects just happened, but it was not because of our friendship. I just was the suitable person to essay the roles,” says the actor, who is collaborating with screenplay writer Sethu for the fourth time. “I have known Sethu for the past few years; we have worked together in Makeup Man, Seniors and Salaam Kashmir. Achayans was a subject that has been in his mind for long; it is a mix of humour and thriller,” reveals Jayaram.
At a time actors interfere in the making, conception and marketing of their movies, Jayaram stands apart, why? “All my movies were those that came to me, not the ones I chose. I feel our interference would affect the creativity of the film. So I keep a distance from such matters,” he replies.
Unlike in the past, Jayaram has been trying new looks for his movies, especially the recent ones. “It is always for the perfection of the characters. Kannan really liked my salt and pepper look and asked me to retain it in Achayans,” he says.
A darling of family audience, Jayaram is not seen in any family entertainers recently. And the actor says he wasn’t getting much family subjects these days. “Compared to previous years, I am not getting much family movies. Even then, I try to pick the best from those. Sometimes my selection goes wrong, but there are still audience for such films.
The film I am currently working on — Akashamittayi directed by Samuthirakani is a brilliant one. After that, I will be doing a Vyshakh film written by Udayakrishna.”
Now his son Kalidas is making his Mollywood re-entry, can we see them together again? “Currently, he is acting in Poomaram and is getting many offers from Tamil. As of now, there is no such plan,” he concludes.
