Jagathy Sreekumar (Sreekumar Achary) is a highly acclaimed Malayalam actor who has played comedy characters mostly but he is well versatile to portray any type of characters which he has proved in many films.During the last four decades he has acted in about 1500 films and has got entry into Guinness Book of World records for playing roles in most number of films.
He is acclaimed as ‘The King of Comedy’.
He was born on 5th January 1951 at Jagathy in Thiruvananthapuram to parents Jagathy N.K.Achary and Prasanna Achary.His father Jagathy N.K.Achary(1924-1997) was a dramatist,actor and writer.He was an employee of All India Radio.The passion for comedy and acting is intrinsic to Jagathy Sreekumar and he used to act in school plays.At College level also he was mingled in all cultural activities including acting in stage plays.He defeated Mr.T.M.Jacob(who later became a Minister in Kerala and a Political leader) to become the Arts Club Secretary at Mar Ivanios College,Trivandrum.In the friends circle Jagathy is known as ‘Ambili’ and for younger generation in the cinema field he is ‘Ambili chettan‘ for them.
After graduation he worked as a Medical representative before becoming an actor.He never utilized his father’s name to get roles in that period but earned chances by proving his own skill.His role in the film ‘Chattambi Kalyani’ in 1975 which was written and produced by Sreekumaran Thampi, and directed by Sasikumar was well noticed and received appreciation for his varied style of comedy presentation.Prem Nazir and Lakshmi were the main pair of this film.He has acted along with Prem Nazir in many films.His role as driver Damodaran Kutty in the film ‘Air Hostess‘ was received with accolades.
Jagathy Sreekumar earned name and fame very fast with his unique style of comedy presentation which amused the audience to the utmost level.He completely changed the trends and pattern of comedy style followed in Malayalam films till that period and a much more classic style was implemented by him .His capability to show all emotions very fast on his well expressive face and the skill of voice control was also noted and appreciated by the audience.
He acted with Jayan in many films and movies like ‘Kazhukan,Manushya Mrigam,Paalattu Kunjikannan,Sanchari’ etc were hits.
He acted with Sukumaran in many films like ‘Sphodanam’ along with yesteryear other actors like K.P.Ummar,Mala Aravindan,Kuthiravattam Pappu,Sankarady,Balan K.Nair,Sandow Krishnan etc.
Venu Nagavally was a close friend of Jagathy SreeKumar who gave him spectacular roles in his films.Jagathy acted along with Venu Nagavally before he became a director in the 1979 film ‘Ulkadal’.
He acted along with Adoor Bhasi in films like ‘Poojakkedukkatha Pookkal,Himavahini etc.He has also acted along with Bahadur in films like ‘Kazhukan,Mandanmar Londonil’ etc.
He has acted along with Mohan Lal in many films and many of the earlier films with Mohan Lal directed by Priyadarshan like ‘Aram+Aram=Kinnaram,Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu,Boeing Boeing,Thalavattam,Mukendetta Sumithra Vilikkunnu‘ etc contained fantastic comedy scenes of Jagathy which are still enjoyed by the viewers.
His role in Aram+Aram =Kinnaram as Manoharan Pillai,proprietor of K.M.K.Automobiles can not be forgotten.
His role as Sardar Krishna Kuruppu in Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu was received with roaring laughter in cinema houses.Mohan Lal,Lizy,Sreenivasan,Mukesh,Pappu etc acted in this film.
As the attender ‘Narayanan’ of the hospital in ‘Thalavattam’ and the scene in which he comes to M.G.Soman’s house to request to take him back for his duties at the hospital is a splendid scene which only Jagathy can do with that much perfection which makes serious people also laugh.
His role as Father Kuttanad in the film ‘Sarvakalasala‘ was very much liked.
His role as the still photographer in the film “Kilukkam’ earned wide acclaim and award.
With Mammootty also he has acted in many films like ‘Kottayam Kunjachan’.In the films like CBI Diary Kurippu he acted along with Mammootty handling serious roles.
He has acted in several successful films along with Jayaram.His role as Jayakumar as the friend of Jayaram who were running a call centre ‘We Help’ in the film‘Witness‘(88) directed by Viji Thampi earned good response.Later Jayaram and Jagathy combined together in large number of films.
In the film ‘Avittam Thirunal Arogya Sreeman‘ he acted as an old person which received much accolades.
His roles in films like ‘Mattupetty Machan,Friends,Meesa Madhavan,Midhunam,Swapna Sanchari’ etc are all very much loved by film viewers.
He received Second Best Actor Award from Kerala Government in the Year 1991 and 2002.He received Special Jury Award at Kerala State Film awards in 2007 for films Paradesi,Veeralipattu and Arabikadha.
In 2012 he got Kerala State Film Award as Best Comedian for the film ‘Swapna Sanchari.
He got Best supporting actor award from Asianet in 2012 for the film ‘Meesa Madhavan’.He rceived Spl.Jury award from Asianet for the film ‘Thanmathra’ in 2005.In 2007 he got Best Supporting actor award for Rock N’ Roll from Asianet.
He is also recipient of awards from Kerala Film Critics,Jai Hind TV,Filmfare,Sathyan Memorial Award,Bahadur Award,Prem Nazir Award etc. Jagathy Sreekumar met with a car accident in March 2012 and was hospitalized for an year.He is recovering his health at present. Selcted Filmography Chattambi Kalyani Kazhukan Manushya MrigamPoochakkoru Mookkuthi Masha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu Dhim Tharikida Thom Aram+Aram=Kinnaram Thalavattam Oru CBI Dairy Kurippu Moonnam Pakkam Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam No 20 Madras Mail Randam Varavu Kottayam Kunjachan August 1Mukeundetta Sumithra Vilikkunnu Witnss Varnam Ulsavapittennu Randam Varavu Dr.Pasupathy ArhathMarupuram Ulladakkam Nettipattam Kizhakkunarum Pakshi Ganamela Yodha Ulsav Melam Ootty Pattanam Ent Ponnu Thampuran Kadinjool Kalyanam Cheppady VidyaVakkeel Vasudev Ayirappara Midhunam Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu Kinnari Puzhayoram Aakasadoothu Minnaram Tom &Jerry Pai Brothers Aksharam Avittam Thirunal Arogya Sreeman Mannadiayar Penninu Chenkottachekkan Meenathil ThalikettuMattupetty Machan Fivestar hospithal The Good Boys Kudumba Kodathy Kottaram Veettil Appoottan Udayapuram Sulthan Pranayanilavu Njangal Santhushtaranu Independence Friends Nizhalkuthu Kakakuyil Mazha NarimanNandanam Thilakkam Kuberan Chirikkudukka CID Moosa Balettan Pattalam Pulival Kalyanam Sethuramayyar CBI ChakkikothaChankaran Runway Wanted Vesham Vettam Athbutha Dweepu Kochi Rajavu UdayonNaran Nerariyan CBI Kilukkam Kilukilukkam Rasathanthram Chess Changathipoocha Nottam Chota Mumbai Bharathan Veeralipattu Hello Arabikadha Nasrani Rock N’ Roll KadhaparaumbolPositive Twenty 20 Gulumal Vellathooval Banaras Chemistry Kerala Cafe Angel John Kanyakumari Express Thaskara Lahala 24 HoursElsamma Enna Aankutty Shikkar Karyasthan China Town Indian Rup Race Sarkar Colony Kalabha Mazha Orange Th King & The Commissioner Grandmaster Cowboy The Reporter