Jagathy Sreekumar


Sreekumar P. K., better known by his stage name Jagathy Sreekumar, is an Indian film actor who has starred in over 1400 Malayalam films in a career spanning almost four decades. Hailed as one of the greatest comedians of all-time in Malayalam cinema, he is also known for his highly nuanced character roles. He is the son of acclaimed dramaturge and writer, the late Jagathy N. K. Achary.
Jagathy Sreekumar won five Kerala State Film Awards among numerous other awards for his roles in various films. He has also directed two films and written screenplays for two more. His stage name is derived from the neighborhood of Jagathy in Trivandrum from where he hails. He is an outspoken orator holding strong views, quite unlike his onscreen image and his speeches are still popular.
With 1,070-odd Malayalam films to his credit, he was reckoned as one of the most prolific actors in the industry, however Jagathy was involved in a vehicle accident in March 2012 and was hospitalized for over a year. He is still recovering from his injuries. His film career has been being on hold since the accident. It has been reported via various news outlets that Jagathy Sreekumar is back to acting through a television ad.

Life

Sreekumar is the son of Malayalam dramatist and writer Jagathy N. K. Achary and his wife Prasanna from the famed Edavancaud family of Mavelikkara. N. K. Achary was Station Director at All India Radio, Trivandrum. Sreekumar has two siblings, Krishnakumar and Jameela; and 2 step-siblings Murali and Sugadamma.
"My father was my strength. He used to take me to movies and bring home scripts of plays for me to read. Being in All India Radio, my father had contacts with stalwarts in this field. He created many opportunities for me to interact with them. This helped me in my career.", says Jagathy Sreekumar about his father. He attended the Higher Secondary School in Cheriyanad,Chengannur, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Botany from Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum. After college he briefly worked as a medical representative before later becoming an actor.
Jagathy married Mallika Sukumaran in 1974 and divorced in 1976. He married Shoba in 1980. They have a son, Rajkumar, and a daughter, Parvathy. Just days before the March 2012 road accident that took away years of his life, Jagathy had publicly revealed that he had a daughter Sreelakshmi Sreekumar, with actress Kala, also said to be his second wife.
On 10 March 2012, he was seriously injured in a road accident at Panambra near the Calicut University at Tenhipalam in Malappuram district. He was immediately rushed to MIMS Hospital in Calicut, where he remained for one month. Later, he was taken to Vellore Christian Medical College for advanced treatment. He underwent multiple surgical procedures. He remained in hospital for twelve months, appearing in public for the first time in March 2013, unable to speak. In 2014, he was again taken to Vellore for further check-ups and returned to his home later. Recently he appeared in a private channel during onam with Nedumudi Venu in which he sang old songs.

Career

Sreekumar was a Class V student at Model School in Trivandrum when he first got the opportunity to act in a school play. He continued to act in plays written by his father NK Achary for Kalanilayam, in big and small roles. By this time he joined Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum.
His first film was Chattambi Kalyani. His role earned him recognition. With the highest number of Malayalam films to his credit, he is one of the most popular actors in the Malayalam film industry. His popular films include Yodha, Kilukkam, Mookilla Rajyathu, Avittam Thirunaal Aarogya Sriman, Kilukil Pambaram, Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, Vaasthavam, Urumi, Palunku etc. He has directed two films, written stories for two films and sung in about ten films.
Though a widely popular actor, he did not believe in acting "for awards". He acted in just one language other than Malayalam: in Aadum Koothu, a Tamil film directed by the Malayalam director T. V. Chandran.

Awards

; Kerala State Film Award
; Kerala Film Critics Award
; Asianet Film Awards
; Jaihind TV Awards
; Other awards

Malayalam

As actor