Suraj Venjaramoodu

Suraj is the youngest of the three children of Venjaramood K. Vasudevan Nair, a retired soldier from the Indian Army and Vilasini, a housewife.{{Cite web |url=http://vadizen.com/contact |title=Contact Us | Vadizen Technologies|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-date=7 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307053949/http://vadizen.com/contact|url-status=live}} He was called "Kuttappan" by his parents and relatives. His elder brother V. Saji, was also an officer in Indian Army. His 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.mangalam.com/mangalam-varika/178975 |title=പേരറിയിച്ചവന്‍...!!! | mangalam.com |website=www.mangalam.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508202429/http://www.mangalam.com/mangalam-varika/178975 |archive-date=8 May 2014 |url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/09/stories/2002090900930302.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040128025831/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/09/09/stories/2002090900930302.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-01-28 |title=Kairali Tv |date=2002-09-09 |work=The Hindu |access-date=2016-12-01}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Nagarajan |first=Saraswathy |date=2020-10-17 |title=Suraj Venjaramoodu: It feels good when one's hard work is recognised |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/it-feels-good-when-ones-hard-work-is-recognised-suraj-venjaramoodu/article32880628.ece|access-date=2021-07-02 |issn=0971-751X|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603224826/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/it-feels-good-when-ones-hard-work-is-recognised-suraj-venjaramoodu/article32880628.ece|url-status=live}} He first acted in a film named Jagapoga which was a spoof of Malayalam movies.{{cite web |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/jagapoga-review-malayalam-8938505.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140428185327/http://www.sify.com/movies/jagapoga-review-malayalam-8938505.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-04-28 |title=Review |website=Sify |date=2001-12-20 |access-date=2016-12-01}} 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. His first breakthrough came with Thuruppugulan (2006) where he played the sidekick role for the character of Mammootty.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-15 |title=How Suraj Venjaramoodu Went From Playing The Fool To Hero |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/suraj-venjaramoodu-went-from-fool-to-hero_in_5e4503adc5b61ef3adcf7973|access-date=2021-07-02 |website=HuffPost |language=en|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101064009/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/suraj-venjaramoodu-went-from-fool-to-hero_in_5e4503adc5b61ef3adcf7973|url-status=live}} Suraj then went on to play the comedy roles in several hit films such as Classmates, Pachakkuthira, Chotta Mumbai and Hallo. In 2007, he got his first major supporting role again in a Mammootty starrer Mayavi, which became another major breakthrough in his career.{{Cite web |date=2017-08-09 |title=From loud comedian to versatile actor: The evolution of Malayalam cinema's Suraj Venjaramoodu |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/loud-comedian-versatile-actor-evolution-malayalam-cinemas-suraj-venjaramoodu-66509|access-date=2021-07-02 |website=The News Minute |language=en|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709191706/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/loud-comedian-versatile-actor-evolution-malayalam-cinemas-suraj-venjaramoodu-66509|url-status=live}} Suraj received appreciation for his role as Peethamparan in Annan Thambi and Jabbar in Lollipop, both of which released in 2008. He played the lead role for the first time with Duplicate (2009). Suraj's iconic comedy character Dasamoolam Damu came out with the movie Chattambinaadu (2009) starring Mammootty. The character became popular several years after the release of Chattambinaadu and eventually attained a cult status.{{Cite news |title=Shafi: Suraj and I decided to do Dasamoolam Damu because of his fans – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/shafi-suraj-and-i-decided-to-do-dasamoolam-damu-because-of-his-fans/articleshow/72455285.cms|access-date=2021-07-02 |website=The Times of India |language=en|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204004242/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/shafi-suraj-and-i-decided-to-do-dasamoolam-damu-because-of-his-fans/articleshow/72455285.cms|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=ദശമൂലം ദാമു മടങ്ങി വരുമോ; ഒടുവില്‍ ആ സര്‍പ്രൈസ് പൊട്ടിച്ച് സുരാജ് |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/actor-suraj-venjaramoodu-talks-about-dasamoolam-damu-meme-movie-comedy-scenes-troll-1.4230344|access-date=2021-07-02 |website=Mathrubhumi |date=27 October 2019 |language=en|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182613/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/actor-suraj-venjaramoodu-talks-about-dasamoolam-damu-meme-movie-comedy-scenes-troll-1.4230344|url-status=live}} He won his first Kerala State Film Award in 2009, by winning the award for the Best Comedian for his performance in Ivar Vivahitharayal. He won the award again two times in 2010 and 2013 for the movies Oru Naal Varum and Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus respectively.{{Cite web |title=A flashback to 2013 {{!}} When Suraj was Best Comedian and Fahadh the Best Actor|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/10/14/suraj-fahadh-kerala-state-film-awards-best-actor-category-trivia.html|access-date=2021-07-02|website=OnManorama|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182906/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/10/14/suraj-fahadh-kerala-state-film-awards-best-actor-category-trivia.html|url-status=live}} Suraj's another popular comedy character is Idivettu Sugunan which came out with Pokkiriraja (2010). He was also praised for his role as Vadivelu in the Dileep starrer comedy movie Karyasthan. Suraj played some memorable roles in the movies China Town and Teja Bhai & family, both released in 2011. His other memorable comedy roles came out with the movies such as Mallu Singh, Mr. Marumakan, 101 Weddings, Manthrikan, Sound Thoma, Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum, Ring Master, Bhaiyya Bhaiyya, Cousins and Two Countries.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-30 |title=Happy Birthday Suraj Venjaramoodu: Interesting facts about the actor |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/happy-birthday-suraj-venjaramoodu-interesting-facts-about-the-actor/photostory/83975216.cms|access-date=2021-07-02 |website=The Times of India |language=en|archive-date=30 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630070221/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/happy-birthday-suraj-venjaramoodu-interesting-facts-about-the-actor/photostory/83975216.cms|url-status=live}}

Suraj's potential to play the character and lead roles came out in 2013 as he won that year's National Award for his performance in Perariyathavar, at the 61st National Film Awards. Noted filmmaker and jury chairman Saeed Mirza, while announcing Suraj's award in a press meet, said: "Suraj has played a municipal sweeper [in the film] but it is an incredibly dignified performance. He excels in comedy but in this film Suraj has brilliantly played a reticent character. I would not have been able to sleep had his name not been in the list of awardees".{{Cite news |last=Tankha |first=Madhur |date=2014-04-16 |title=Ship of Theseus named best film at National film awards |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ship-of-theseus-named-best-film-at-national-film-awards/article5918928.ece|access-date=2021-07-02 |issn=0971-751X|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182830/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ship-of-theseus-named-best-film-at-national-film-awards/article5918928.ece|url-status=live}}

Suraj received critical appreciation for his acting with a potent cameo in Action Hero Biju (2016).{{Cite news |title=Top cameos by Mollywood stars |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/photo-features/top-cameos-by-mollywood-stars/photostory/54585950.cms|access-date=2021-07-02 |website=The Times of India|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710082117/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/photo-features/top-cameos-by-mollywood-stars/photostory/54585950.cms|url-status=live}} This movie was also a turning point in his career and a breakthrough performance as he underwent a complete evolution with his acting.{{Cite web |last=Madhu |first=Vignesh |date=2017-08-02 |title=Action Hero Bjiu was the mega bumper after which offers started pouring in: Suraj Venjaramoodu |url=http://onlookersmedia.in/latestnews/action-hero-bjiu-mega-bumper-offers-started-pouring-suraj-venjaramoodu/|access-date=2021-07-02 |website=onlookersmedia |language=en-US|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182009/http://onlookersmedia.in/latestnews/action-hero-bjiu-mega-bumper-offers-started-pouring-suraj-venjaramoodu/|url-status=live}} In Karinkunnam 6's, he portrayed a ruthless police officer and in Oru Muthassi Gadha, he played the lead role. Suraj returned to do the comedy role with the 2016 blockbuster Pulimurugan. In the movie Aby (2017) he played the character of a selfish neighbour. Suraj's another critically acclaimed performance came out with Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017), where he played a lead character alongside Fahad Fasil, who also received appreciation for his performance.{{Cite news |title=Suraj Venjaramoodu: I wondered why Dileesh gave me the role that he had kept for Fahadh – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/suraj-venjaramoodu-i-wondered-why-dileesh-gave-me-the-role-that-he-had-kept-for-fahadh/articleshow/59865145.cms|access-date=2021-07-02 |website=The Times of India |language=en|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709234905/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/suraj-venjaramoodu-i-wondered-why-dileesh-gave-me-the-role-that-he-had-kept-for-fahadh/articleshow/59865145.cms|url-status=live}} He went on to play lead roles in Varnyathil Aashanka and Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri (2018). He bagged the Kerala State Film Award for the Best Actor in 2019 for his performance in Vikruthi and Android Kunjappan Version 5.25, both the films in which he played a lead role alongside Soubin Shahir.{{Cite web |last=നാരായണൻ |first=സംജദ് |title='നടപ്പില്‍, നോട്ടത്തില്‍, വെറുപ്പിക്കലില്‍, മുരടന്‍സ്വഭാവത്തില്‍ ഒന്നിലും സുരാജെന്ന നടനില്ല' |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/features/suraj-venjaramoodu-android-kunjappan-version-5-25-dasamoolam-damu-evolution-as-an-actor-troll-1.4331715|access-date=2021-07-02 |website=Mathrubhumi |date=3 December 2019 |language=en|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182321/https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/features/suraj-venjaramoodu-android-kunjappan-version-5-25-dasamoolam-damu-evolution-as-an-actor-troll-1.4331715|url-status=live}} His performance in Driving License alongside Prithviraj also received appreciation.{{Cite news |last=Anand |first=Shilpa Nair |date=2019-11-08 |title=Suraj Venjaramoodu on getting selective and serious |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/suraj-venjaramoodu-sets-a-new-high-with-plays-the-role-of-a-septuagenarian-in-his-latest-film-android-kunjappan-ver-525/article29921421.ece|access-date=2021-07-02 |issn=0971-751X|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185305/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/suraj-venjaramoodu-sets-a-new-high-with-plays-the-role-of-a-septuagenarian-in-his-latest-film-android-kunjappan-ver-525/article29921421.ece|url-status=live}} In 2021, Suraj played the lead role in The Great Indian Kitchen which received positive reactions from various film critics and was well received by the audience.{{Cite news |title=Suraj Venjaramoodu: I have always wished for good roles and now by working hard, I get to play them – Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/suraj-venjaramoodu-i-have-always-wished-for-good-roles-and-now-by-working-hard-i-get-to-play-them/articleshow/78639630.cms|access-date=2021-07-02 |website=The Times of India |language=en|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114151109/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/suraj-venjaramoodu-i-have-always-wished-for-good-roles-and-now-by-working-hard-i-get-to-play-them/articleshow/78639630.cms|url-status=live}} In 2022, he played a pivotal role in Prithviraj starrer Jana Gana Mana which was critically acclaimed and was a commercial success.

In 2005, Suraj married Supriya at Vaikuntam Auditorium, near Padmanabhaswamy Temple. They have three children: Kashinathan, Vasudev and Hridya. Kashinathan has acted in the films Annan Thampi and Teja Bhai & Family.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-30 |title=Happy Birthday Suraj Venjaramoodu {{!}} സുരാജ് വെഞ്ഞാറമൂടിന് പിറന്നാൾ ആശംസയുമായി താരങ്ങൾ|url=https://malayalam.news18.com/news/film/it-is-birthday-for-suraj-venjaramoodu-mm-402097.html|access-date=2021-07-02|website=News18 Malayalam|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183445/https://malayalam.news18.com/news/film/it-is-birthday-for-suraj-venjaramoodu-mm-402097.html|url-status=live}}

An accident occurred on the Thammanam-Karanakodam road on the night of July 29, 2023 when Suraj was behind the wheel of a speeding car. The collision resulted in injuries to a bike rider, 31-year-old Sarath from Manjeri, who suffered a fracture in his right big toe along with injuries to other toes. This results in a ban of Suraj's licence by Kerala Motor Vehicles Department.{{Cite news |title=Actor and Comedian Suraj Venjaramood under trouble |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/suraj-venjaramoodu-faces-driving-license-suspension-details-inside/amp_articleshow/108032325.cms |website=Times of India}}

{{main|Suraj Venjaramoodu filmography}}

{{Infobox actor awards

| name = Suraj Venjaramoodu

| image = The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Rajat Kamal Award for Best Actor (Shared) Perariyathavar (Malayalam) to Shri Suraj Venjaramoodu, at the 61st National Film Awards function, in New Delhi on May 03, 2014.jpg

| image_size = 240

| alt =

| caption = The President, Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Rajat Kamal Award for Best Actor (for Perariyathavar) to Suraj Venjaramoodu, at the 61st National Film Awards function held at New Delhi on May 03, 2014

| wins = 22

| nominations = 26

}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Suraj Venjaramoodu}}

• {{IMDb name|id=2241427|name=Suraaj Venjarammoodu}}
• [http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Suraj%20Venjaramoodu&limit=156 Profile] at msidb.org
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW5qHopxrFs#aid=P-pIIgph7Rc Interview on JB Junction – YouTube]

{{National Film Award Best Actor}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Venjaramoodu, Suraj}}

Category:Indian male film actors

Category:Male actors from Thiruvananthapuram

Category:Living people

Category:1976 births

Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema

Category:Indian male comedians

Category:Best Actor National Film Award winners

Category:21st-century Indian male actors

Category:Malayalam comedians

Category:Indian male television actors

Category:Male actors in Malayalam television

Category:Indian male voice actors

Category:Male actors in Hindi television

Category:Indian impressionists (entertainers)