Popular mimicry artists of Malayalam cinema

Comedy is a difficult genre for any actor to excel in as making people laugh is not easy. Malayalam movies are incomplete without the pinch of comedy and comedians. There are many artiste who make people laugh with their impeccable comic timing and dialogues. Some of the actors who excel in this genre are mimicry artiste. Mimicry is an art and not everyone is blessed with the skill. ​Let us look at some of the mimicry artiste who have had successful careers in Malayalam cinema…


Jayaram

Jayaram started his career as a mimicry artiste and the actor honed his mimicry skills while studying at Sri Sankara college, Kaladi and later at Kalabhavan. Director Padmarajan happened to see one of his on stage performances and offered him a role in ‘Aparan’. Jayaram made mimicry popular and became the first superstar from this field to make a successful transition from stage to silver screen. The actor has carved a niche for himself in Malayalam cinema with his versatile set of roles.

Dileep

Just like Jayaram, superstar Dileep also started his career as a mimicry artiste. He honed his skills during his days at Maharajas College. The versatile actor was the first anchor of the program ‘Comicola’ a popular comedy series which was aired on Asianet. Later, he became an associate director in Malayalam films. Dileep has also rendered his voice in Onam based Comic albums ‘De Maveli Kombathu’ along with his friends Nadir Shah and Abi.

Suraj Venjaramoodu

Suraj Venjaramoodu started his career as a standup comedian. His mimicry shows were a huge success with the audience. In an acting career that spans over a decade, the actor has done the comedian drill with considerable success. He is also known for his character roles and received the National Films Award for Best Actor for his performance in the Malayalam film ‘Perariyathavar.’

Salim Kumar

Salim Kumar also started his profession as a stage performer in Kalabhavan. During his studying days, he was awarded the best mimicry artiste in Mahatma Gandhi University thrice. In a relatively short span of time, he has turned out to be a popular comedian. He has also diversified his acting abilities into character roles as well with movies like ‘Adaminte Makan Abu’ and ‘Achanurangatha Veedu’. His debut movie was ‘Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam’ where his unique style of comedy was liked by the audience.

Kalabhavan Mani

Kalabhavan Mani started his career as a mimicry artist with the Kalabhavan troupe and entered Malayalam film industry as a comedian. He is best known for his role in ‘Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum’ for which he won the National Film Award. In the later part of his career, he was also known for playing villainous character. In 2002, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Villain for Tamil film ‘Gemini’.

Tini Tom

Tini Tom started his career as mimicry artiste and worked under different troops namely Seven Arts, Cochin Guinness and Kalabhavan. He made his debut with a small role of a mimicry stage presenter in Mimics Action 500 in 1995. The actor has also anchored a number of TV shows. However, it was the movie ‘Pattalam’ that made him a popular actor. The actor then took a big leap by playing a lead role in ‘Housefull’ in 2013.