Suraj Venjaramoodu

Suraj Vasudevan (born 30 June 1976), professionally credited as Suraj Venjaramoodu, is an Indian actor, comedian, impressionist, and television presenter, who appears in Malayalam films, television and stage plays. He has acted in more than 250 films. He has won a National Film Award and three Kerala State Film Awards. Throughout the 2000s and towards mid-2010s, he played comedic roles in numerous films and won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Comedian three times (2009, 2010, 2013). In his later career, he found success in playing character and leading roles. In 2013, Suraj won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his lead role in Perariyathavar. In 2019, he won Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 and Vikruthi. Early life Suraj is the youngest of the three children of Venjaramood K. Vasudevan Nair, a retired soldier from the Indian Army and Vilasini, a housewife. He was called "Kuttappan" by his parents and relatives. His elder V. Saji, was also an officer in Indian Army. His other sister Sunitha V. V. is married and settled in Thiruvananthapuram. Suraj also wanted to serve in the Army after completing his Secondary School Leaving Certificate, but had to give up as he broke his arm in a bicycle accident. He received his primary education from K.V.M.L.P.S, Venjaramoodu. He completed his Mechanical diploma course from Government ITI, Attingal and turned to mimicry soon after. His breakthrough came with Jagapoka, a comedy program which was broadcast on Kairali TV. Film career Suraj started his career as a stand-up comedian. His mimicry shows were a success with the audience and he was noted for his artificial mockery of the Thiruvananthapuram accent. Later, he was also criticised for this from some audience during his early film career. He first acted in a film named Jagapoga which was a spoof of Malayalam movies. He played the role of Pachan as well as Dadasahib in this film. However the movie was a box office flop and received negative reviews. Suraj then went on to act in several minor roles in films such as Rasikan, Achuvinte Amma, Bus Conductor and Rasathanthram. Suraj grabbed the attention in Malayalam film industry after he assisted Mammootty with the Thiruvananthapuram accent in Rajamanikyam (2005). He would go on to act alongside Mammootty in many comedy films. The duo is considered one of the most memorable onscreen duos in Malayalam cinema.