Saiju Kurup
Saiju Kurup | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Saiju Kurup | |
| Born | 12 March 1979 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Spouse |
Anupama B. Nambiar (m. 2005) |
| Children | 2 |
Saiju Govinda Kurup (born 12 March 1979) is an Indian actor who works primarily in Malayalam cinema. He debuted in a leading role with Mayookham (2005), directed by Hariharan. He has starred in over 150 films, in supporting as well as leading roles.[1]
Early life
[edit]Kurup was born to N. Govinda Kurup and Sobhana in Alappuzha district, South Kerala.[citation needed] Although a native of Cherthala, he was brought up in Nagpur,[2] where he completed his schooling and college education.[3] He studied engineering in Nagpur.[4] His father was posted in Kamptee. Following his father's retirement, the family relocated to Cherthala. After returning from Nagpur, Kurup joined Airtel office in Thiruvananthapuram. In 2004, while working there, he met singer M. G. Sreekumar as part of his sales role. Sreekumar, who had recorded a song for the film Mayookham, encouraged him to audition for the lead role. Kurup subsequently auditioned in Chennai and was selected for the role.[3]
Career
[edit]
Kurup made his acting debut in a leading role with Mayookham (2005), directed by Hariharan. Approximately a year and a half after the film's release, he resigned from his position at Airtel, though initial opportunities proved limited.[5] Reflecting on his early performances, Kurup later noted that, "around the time of Mulla (2008), Doubles (2011), and Karmayogi (2012), I learnt to bring what I observed into my performances. That's when I found my rhythm".[3]
His first breakthrough came with Trivandrum Lodge (2012),[4] in which he portrayed a comedic character that marked a departure from his earlier roles. He observed that, "until then, I played clean-shaven, shirt-tucked-in characters. But Shibu Vellayini was raw and real, and people connected with him". He played another comedic role in Vedivazhipadu (2013).[3]
Kurup starred and wrote the screenplay for the 2013 film My Fan Ramu.[5] He appeared in a dual role in Hotel California (2013).[6] He later played Pappan, a supportive brotherly figure in the sports drama 1983 (2014).[3] For his role as an oncologist in Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela (2017), he undertook preparation by consulting a practicing doctor.[4] In 2018, Deccan Chronicle noted that "very few have been able to carve a niche among the clan of supporting actors in Malayalam cinema where they have been an integral part of the movies as their characters work as adhesives in building up the story line. Saiju Kurup is one among them". His performance as Vijith in Theevandi (2018) received critical acclaim.[6]
Kurup appeared as Johny Peringodan in Driving Licence (2019).[3] In 2021, he played the lead role in the crime thriller Guardian.[4] He played a pivotal role in Meppadiyan (2022), which was a commercial success. He played a psychologist in his first horror film Bhoothakalam (2022), which received positive response. Kurup played the lead role of a circle inspector in the thriller Anthakshari (2022).[5] In the same year, he starred in the title role as a headstrong thug in Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan (2022), produced by Dulquer Salmaan.[3]
In 2024, Kurup played the lead role in the drama Porattu Nadakam. He also made his television series debut that year with Jai Mahendran on SonyLIV, portraying the titular character, a principled yet astute tahsildar. The same year, he ventured into production with the comedy-drama Bhrathanatyam (2024), in which he also played the lead role. Although the film underperformed at the box office, it later received critical acclaim following its release on streaming platforms. In 2025, he played a leading role alongside Arjun Ashokan in Abhilasham.[4] In 2025, The New Indian Express observed that Kurup "has built a steady presence in Malayalam cinema — not by chasing stardom, but by consistently turning in performances that resonate".[3]
Personal life
[edit]Kurup married Anupama B. Nambiar in 2005. She was a personality language development trainer in a multinational company.[5] The couple have a daughter, Mayookha, and a son, Aftab. The family resides in Panampilly Nagar in Ernakulam district.[7]
Filmography
[edit]| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Malayalam
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Mayookham | Unni Kesavan | Debut film |
| 2006 | Lion | Prasad | |
| Ashwaroodan | Divakaran | ||
| Baba Kalyani | Tahir Mohammad | ||
| 2007 | Sketch | Shivahari Iyer | |
| Hallo | Praveen | ||
| Indrajith | Zaheer Mustafa | ||
| Chocolate | Manuel Abraham | ||
| 2008 | College Kumaran | Raghu | |
| Jubilee | Joji | ||
| Mulla | Bharathan | ||
| Parunthu | Vineet | ||
| Anthiponvettam | Nitin | ||
| Novel | Lekshmanan | ||
| 2009 | Pramukhan | Ramesh Nambiar | |
| Brahmasthram | Indrajeeth | ||
| 2010 | Koottukar | ACP Antony Alex | |
| 2011 | Doubles | Sameer | |
| Makaramanju | Raja Raja Varma | ||
| Scene No: 001 | Chandramohan | ||
| Makeup Man | Sorrya's fiancé | ||
| 2012 | Karmayogi | Kandhaa | |
| Trivandrum Lodge | Shibu Vellayani | ||
| Poppins | Job | ||
| 2013 | Red Wine | Navas Paramban | |
| Kutteem Kolum | Sreehari | ||
| Hotel California | Tarun Singh Deol / Rafeeq Ahmed | ||
| Thank You | Arun | ||
| Left Right Left | Mathew | ||
| Tourist Home | Unknown | ||
| Bicycle Thieves | Rameshan | ||
| My Fan Ramu | Ramu | ||
| Vedivazhipadu | Sanjay | [8] | |
| 2014 | 1983 | Pappan | |
| Konthayum Poonoolum | Johny | ||
| Medulla Oblongata | Appachan | ||
| Munnariyippu | Rajeev Thomas | ||
| Njaan | V P Kunjikannan | ||
| The Dolphins | Kandi | ||
| 2015 | Aadu | Arakkal Abu | [9] |
| Chirakodinja Kinavukal | Commissioner K P Benny | ||
| Lukka Chuppi | Father Xavier | ||
| Nirnayakam | Ravi Shankar | ||
| KL 10 Patthu | Ajmal | ||
| Kohinoor | DySP Mohan Raghav | Cameo appearance | |
| Salt Mango Tree | Praveen Nambiar | ||
| Rajamma @ Yahoo | Yohanan | ||
| Rockstar | Registrar | ||
| 2016 | Maalgudi Days | Manu Varma | |
| Action Hero Biju | CI Manoj Mathew | ||
| Aakashvani | Jamal | [10] | |
| Sahapadi 1975 | Oola | ||
| Valleem Thetti Pulleem Thetti | Bhajrangan | [11] | |
| Happy Wedding | Dhanendran | ||
| Annmariya Kalippilanu | Dr. Roy | ||
| IDI | Mr. X | [12] | |
| Kavi Uddheshichathu..? | DySP Noble Jacob | ||
| Kolumittayi | Satheeshan Puzhakkara | ||
| Sivapuram | Unknown | ||
| 2017 | Mannamkattayum Kariyilayum | ||
| Kadam Kadha | Srikanth | ||
| Alamara | Prakasan | ||
| 1971: Beyond Borders | Nathan | [13] | |
| Adventures of Omanakuttan | Phillip | ||
| Careful | Ramesh Nath | ||
| Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela | Dr. Saiju | ||
| Pokkiri Simon | Beemapally Noushad | ||
| Tharangam | Siju | ||
| Vimaanam | Ananthan | ||
| Aadu 2 | Arakkal Abu | [14] | |
| 2018 | Captain | Gupta IPS | |
| Kalyanam | Kishore | ||
| Kala Viplavam Pranayam | Rameshan | ||
| B.Tech | Prasanthan | ||
| Naam | Masthan Sebastian | ||
| Iblis | Sukumaran | ||
| Theevandi | Vijith | ||
| Padayottam | Sreekuttan | ||
| Dakini | Vikraman Parudeesa | ||
| 2019 | Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel | Vidhyadharan | |
| Sathyam Paranja Viswasikkuvo | Kuriyan | ||
| Janamaithri | Samyukthan | [15] | |
| Kalki | Sooraj | ||
| Pranayaa Meenukalude Kadal | SI Eldho Sebastian | ||
| Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 | Prasannan | [16] | |
| Jack & Daniel | DySP Philip | ||
| Vaarthakal Ithuvare | Haneef | ||
| Thrissurpooram | Doctor | Cameo appearance | |
| Prathi Poovankozhi | Sreenath | ||
| Driving License | Johny Peringodan | ||
| 2020 | Forensic | Xavier "Xavi" John Kattookkaran | [17] |
| C U Soon | Dr. Prashanth | ||
| 2021 | Mohan Kumar Fans | Shobi | |
| Aarkkariyam | Vyshak | [18] | |
| Nizhal | Chief Judicial Magistrate Ajith | [19] | |
| Pidikittapulli | Disney | ||
| Guardian | Dr Arun Jacob | ||
| Kurup | CI Praveen Chandran | ||
| 2022 | Meppadiyan | Varkey (Philip) | [20] |
| Bhoothakaalam | George | ||
| Lalitham Sundaram | Sandeep | [21] | |
| Oruthee | Sreekumar | [22] | |
| Antakshari | Yesudas | [23] | |
| Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan | Gunda Jayan | [24] | |
| 12th Man | Mathew | [25] | |
| Prakashan Parakkatte | Kozhi Kuttan | [26] | |
| Theerppu | Parameshwaran Potti | [27] | |
| Mei Hoom Moosa | Meeran | [28] | |
| Saturday Night | Justin | [29] | |
| Gold | Jomon | ||
| Malikappuram | Ajayan / Ajayakumar | [29] | |
| 2023 | Enkilum Chandrike | Abhi | [30] |
| Janaki Jaane | Unni Mukundan | [31] | |
| Madhura Manohara Moham | Jeevan Raj | [32] | |
| Valatty | Dobermann | Voiceover[33] | |
| Pappachan Olivilanu | Pappachan | [34] | |
| Rajni | Abhijith | [35] | |
| A Ranjith Cinema | Sunny | [36] | |
| 2024 | Abraham Ozler | Krishnadas | [37] |
| Gu | Sai | [38] | |
| Nunakkuzhi | Dr. Jayadevan | [39] | |
| Pallotty 90's Kids | Manjulan | [40] | |
| Bharathanatyam | Sasidharan Nair | [41] | |
| Porattu Nadakam | Abu | [42] | |
| Anand Sreebala | DySP Sankar Das | [43] | |
| 2025 | Daveed | Kochappa | [44] |
| Aap Kaise Ho | [45] | ||
| Abhilasham | Abhilash Kumar | [46] | |
| Azadi | [47] | ||
| Written & Directed by God | Jijo | [48] | |
| Flask | [49] | ||
| Sumathi Valavu | Hari | [50] | |
| Diés Iraé | George | [51] | |
| 2026 | Aadu 3 | Arakkal Abu and Padanayakan Koma Kurup | [52] |
| Bharathanatyam 2 Mohiniyattam | Sasidharan Nair | [53] | |
| Ankam Attahasam | [54] | ||
| Lurk † | TBA | [55] | |
| TBA | Prempatta † | Post Production[56] | |
Tamil
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Siddhu +2 | Police Officer | |
| 2012 | Marupadiyum Oru Kadhal | Jeeva | |
| 2013 | Aadhi Bhagavan | ACP Ranadev Patel | |
| 2015 | Thani Oruvan | Charles Chelladurai | |
| 2023 | Aval Peyar Rajni | Abhijith |
As dubbing artist
[edit]| Year | Film | Dubbed for | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | @Andheri | Atul Kulkarni | Rajan Pillai |
| Mr. Fraud | Dev Gill | Nikhil Adharva |
Web series
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Jai Mahendran | Mahendran | [57] |
Short films
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Night Muller | The Husband | Malayalam Comedy Short Film | [58] |
| 2016 | Purakathumbol | Prabhakaran M. L. A. | Malayalam Short Film | |
| 2017 | Invisible Actor | The Film Star | Malayalam Short Film | [59] |
| 2018 | Sunnath Kalyanam | Abu | Malayalam Short Film | [60] |
| 2020 | Kaazhchakkappuram | Circle Inspector | Kerala Police Awareness Movie | [61] |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Language | Channel | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 6 Piece Pizza | Malayalam | Asianet | ||
| Annie's Kitchen | Guest | Malayalam | Amrita TV | [62] | |
| 2021 | Swantham Sujatha | Himself | Malayalam | Surya TV | [63] |
References
[edit]- ↑ "Saiju Kurup marks 20 years in cinema; celebrates milestone on 'Aaram' set". @mathrubhumi. 24 February 2026.
- ↑ I. S., Gopika (14 April 2023). "In Nagpur, we'd somehow try to get banana leaves for the Vishu sadya: Saiju Kurup". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Team TNIE (10 April 2025). "Saiju Kurup: 'I will never do a rapist or paedophile role'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 M., Athira (16 October 2024). "Interview | Actor Saiju Kurup: I have realised it is better not to have a wish list". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Sreelekha, R. B. (2 February 2022). "I had to forsake a few films for 'Meppadiyan': Saiju Kurup". Onmanorama. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
- 1 2 "In love with acting". 13 September 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ↑ "Here is why Saiju Kurup and family are excited about their chic, new flat". OnManorama. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- ↑ "Indrajith, Murali Gopy to team up again". The Times of India. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ ആലുങ്ങല്, സജ്ന. "'പിങ്കിയെ കൊല്ലാന് കത്തി മൂര്ച്ച കൂട്ടിയ അറക്കല് അബുവിന് ആടെന്നാല് ജീവനാണ്'". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ↑ "Saiju turns villain!". The Times Of India. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Saiju Kurup will be sporting a Veerappan-style moustache in his next". Deccan Chronicle. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "After playing cop, Saiju Kurup turns burglar". The Times Of India. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Saiju Kurup is an army tank driver in 1971: Beyond Borders". The Times Of India. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Arackkal Abu is back". 23 November 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
- ↑ "Saiju Kurup- Sabumon movie titled Janamaithri". The Times Of India. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "About the Movie Android Kunjappan Version 5.25". Digit Binge. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Mamta shares screenspace with Saiju Kurup 15 years after 'Mayookham'". English Mathrubhumi News. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Aarkkariyam: Kamal Haasan launches the teaser of this Parvathy film". The Indian Express. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Appu N Bhattathiri on making the cut as director with 'Nizhal'". The Hindu. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Saiju Kurup joins sets of Unni Mukundan's Meppadiyan". Cinema Express. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ↑ "First look of Manju Warrier-Biju Menon's 'Lalitham Sundaram' out". The New Indian Express. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Oruthee, a survival drama starring Navya Nair". The New Indian Express. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ↑ "Priyanka Nair pairs up with Saiju Kurup in investigative thriller Anthakshari". The Times Of India. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Saiju Kurup announces his 100th movie". English Mathrubhumi News. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Mohanlal wraps up shoot for '12th Man'". The New Indian Express. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Dhyan Sreenivasan announces new project Prakashan Parakkatte". The New Indian Express. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ↑ "Theerppu review: Serious drama trivialised by confused mix of theatrics". OnManorama. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ↑ "Suresh Gopi starrer 'Mei Hoom Moosa' gets an OTT release date". The Times of India. 9 November 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- 1 2 "Sunny Wayne, Saiju Kurup To Team Up For Febi George Stonefield's Next". News18. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ↑ "Basil Joseph and Suraj Venjaramoodu-starrer Enkilum Chandrike gets OTT release date". Cinema Express. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ↑ "Janaki Jaane clears censors with a U certificate". Cinema Express. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- ↑ "Madhura Manohara Moham trailer to be out on this date". Cinema Express. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ↑ "Valatty movie review: A lighthearted dog movie slowed down by its attempt to show canine struggles akin to those faced by humans". The Indian Express. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ↑ "Saiju Kurup's 'Pappachan Olivilanu' gets a release date". The Times of India. 26 July 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ↑ "Kalidas Jayaram's bilingual film 'Rajni' to hit screens in Nov 2023". The New Indian Express. 10 October 2023.
- ↑ "Kannilorithiri Neram song from A Ranjith Cinema is out". Cinema Express. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ↑ "Abraham Ozler Movie Review: Intriguing details camouflage an unaffecting thriller". Cinema Express. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ↑ Features, C. E. (22 April 2024). "Saiju Kurup's Gu gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ↑ Features, C. E. (20 July 2024). "Nunakuzhi Teaser: Basil Joseph gets caught in a comedy of errors". Cinema Express. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ↑ "Pallotty 90's Kids: Kerala State Film Award winner film to have a theatrical release on this date". ottplay. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
- ↑ Features, C. E. (19 August 2024). "Saiju Kurup's Bharathanatyam gets a new release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- ↑ Features, C. E. (14 July 2024). "Saiju Kurup's Porattu Naadakam gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ↑ Features, C. E. (19 April 2024). "It's a wrap for Arjun Ashokan and Aparna Das-starrer Anand Sreebala". Cinema Express. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ↑ Features, C. E. (2 February 2025). "First single 'Edakochi Ishq' from Antony Varghese-starrer Daveed is here". Cinema Express. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
- ↑ Features, C. E. (4 February 2025). "Dhyan Sreenivasan's Aap Kaiso Ho gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
- ↑ Features, C. E. (17 March 2025). "Abhilasham gets a release date, trailer out". Cinema Express. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
- ↑ "Azadi movie review: Sreenath Bhasi's jailbreak drama struggles to break free of clichés, is shackled to a terrible twist". The Indian Express. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
- ↑ Features, C. E. (17 April 2025). "Saiju Kurup and Sunny Wayne's Written & Directed by God gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ↑ Features, Express (12 February 2025). "Saiju Kurup & Suresh Krishna starrer Flask completes shooting". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ↑ Madhu, Vignesh (13 February 2025). "Arjun Ashokan-starrer Sumathi Valavu gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
- ↑ "Kani's suicide and architect Rohan; Dies Irae, terrifying Mollywood". Kerala Kaumudi. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
- ↑ "Aadu 3 box office collection: Jayasurya's film weathers Dhurandhar 2 tsunami, collects over Rs 12 cr". The Indian Express. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ↑ "Saiju Kurup's Mohiniyattam shooting wrapped up". The New Indian Express. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
- ↑ "Madhav Suresh-starrer Ankam Attahasam gets a release date". Cinema Express. 14 April 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
- ↑ "Saiju Kurup's Lurk gets release date". Cinema Express. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ "Prempatta | 'വെയ്റ്റിംഗ് ഫോർ ആലിയ' എന്ന് ക്യാപ്ഷൻ; മലയാള ചിത്രം 'പ്രേംപാറ്റ' ഫസ്റ്റ് ലുക്ക്". News18. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
- ↑ "Saiju Kurup's Sony LIV series Jai Mahendran gets a release date". Cinema Express. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ↑ "About the Short Film Night Muller". Spotlight Fillum. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Acting class like no other". Deccan Chronicle. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Mamukkoya-starrer 'Sunnath Kalyanam' to cast a spell on viewers". Onmaorama. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Saiju Kurup plays a CI in Kerala Police awareness video". The Times Of India. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Saiju Kurup to visit 'Annie's Kitchen'". The Times Of India. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ↑ "Actor Saiju Kurup excited to play a cameo in 'Swantham Sujatha', says 'My wish came true'". The Times Of India. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
External links
[edit]
- Saiju Kurup at IMDb
- Saiju Kurup on Facebook
