In the midst of this atmospheric shift, a solitary figure emerges from the shadows, bathed in the soft illumination of flickering electric bulbs. His eyes are devoid of any compassion and his face bears a haunting countenance. Meanwhile, a voiceover pierces the silence and says: “The police are right outside. The trap for those living in the colony is incoming.” And there he is, as a character that is the embodiment of ruthlessness — Indrans! A once-overlooked actor, confined by typecasting for years, he now emerges triumphant, seizing the spotlight. In a stunning reversal, the grand introduction typically reserved for superstars is now bestowed upon Indrans, igniting a powerful comeback that defies expectations. The actor also recieved a special jury mention at the 69th National Film Awards and the movie, Home, in which he played the protagonist, was adjudged the best Malayalam film.
As Jackson Bazaar Youth makes its debut on the big screens, the senior actor sat down for an exclusive and insightful conversation with indianexpress.com, during which he delved deep into the world of Jackson Bazaar Youth, the intricacies of portraying comedy characters, highlighting the difficulties associated with bringing such roles to fruition, his feelings regarding the recognition he recently started receiving nearly four decades into his career, his illustrious career as a costume designer, and more.
Though Indrans has previously portrayed several police roles, they were predominantly characterised by humour. At the same time, he has also ventured into a few negative roles with mass appeal. Although he depicted a morally ambiguous cop in Mahesh Narayanan’s Malik (2021), it lacked the required punch. However, with Jackson Bazaar Youth, it appears to be the first instance where Indrans truly embodies the role of a powerful, mass-oriented police officer.
“The storyline of Jackson Bazaar Youth revolves around a music (brass) band. The film also explores the lives of individuals residing in the same locality as the band members, providing insight into their relationships with people beyond their colony. It intertwines several elements. I portray the character of a police officer, who, at first, the members of Jackson Bazaar Youth believe would assist them following some unforeseen incidents in their lives. However, it becomes clear later on that my character’s intentions are not aligned with their expectations. It was quite challenging to embody such a mass-oriented role,” Indrans chuckled and added, “Although the director, Shamal Sulaiman, provided thorough guidance regarding the character, meeting his expectations proved to be quite a formidable endeavour.”
Born on March 16, 1956, in Thiruvananthapuram as Surendran Kochuvelu, Indrans entered the film industry in 1981 as a costume designer and then kickstarted his career as an actor by doing small roles. Over the course of his extensive four-decade acting career, Indrans has predominantly excelled in comedic roles, earning widespread appreciation for his ability to bring such characters to life. Like his contemporary Jagathy Sreekumar, Indrans also employed a Chaplinesque physical comedy style that effectively tickled the audience’s funny bone, contributing to his consistent success in eliciting laughter. “Contrary to characters with distinct emotional arcs, comedy roles pose a unique challenge that demands exceptional skill. This is primarily due to the reliance on the support of co-stars to sustain the rhythm and effectiveness of the scenes and performances. While I enjoy portraying a variety of characters, the inherent difficulty of comedic roles elevates them to a special position among my repertoire.”
Over the course of his extensive four-decade acting career, Indrans has predominantly excelled in comedic roles, earning widespread appreciation for his ability to bring such characters to life. (Express archive photo)
When asked about his preferred co-stars when portraying comedic characters, Indrans reflected, “I have had the pleasure of sharing some wonderful film moments with many friends. Jagathy Sreekumar, Jayaram, Harisree Ashokan, and Janardhanan are among the actors who have helped me deliver remarkable performances. Among them, I must say Jagathy Sreekumar stands out as the person from whom I have learned the most. He is an incredible actor who has imparted invaluable lessons to me.”
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In response to being asked about his opinion regarding young actors’ ability to handle humour, Indrans said, “Honestly, I haven’t had the chance to collaborate with a significant number of young talents lately. Additionally, I am not seeing many scripts that truly prioritise humour these days. While there certainly are limitations, our writers are making efforts to deliver intricate storytelling with intricate plotlines in a captivating manner. Consequently, it becomes quite difficult to pinpoint a particular young actor who effortlessly shines in the realm of comedy.”
He, however, did not hesitate to mention films like Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022, Dir. Vipin Das), Romancham (2023, Dir. Jithu Madhavan), and Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum (2023, Dir. Akhil Sathyan) that entertained him “to an extent” owing to their humour elements. “They all had good comedic moments that were in sync with the situations that the story demanded. I really liked Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum since it, while discussing a very heavy topic, did not fail to entertain the audiences and provided us with enough moments to laugh about.”
Indrans with actors Srividya and KTS Padannayil on the sets of the Malayalam film Dilliwala Rajakumaran. (Express archive photo)
Despite gaining popularity through his comedic roles, Indrans never hesitated to embrace challenging characters, as evidenced by his remarkable performances in films like Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Nizhalkuthu (2002), Oru Pennum Randaanum (2008) and Pinneyum (2016), and Rakshasa Rajavu (2001, Dir. Vinayan). However, it was only later, particularly after the release of films like Parava (2017, Dir. Soubin Shahir), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020, Dir. Midhun Manuel Thomas), #Home (2021, Dir. Rojin Thomas), Virus (2019, Dir. Aashiq Abu), and Kammara Sambhavam (2018, Dir. Rathish Ambat), that everyone truly recognised him as an exceptional actor, capable of much more than just comedic roles.
When asked if it was disheartening not to receive rightful recognition for decades, Indrans responded, “I never felt hurt by that. My sole focus at that time was to give my best to the characters I was entrusted with. As the era and circumstances evolved, it undoubtedly left an impact on my career as well. However, all I strived for was to portray each character with utmost sincerity. While witnessing my contemporaries excel in roles that I knew were beyond my grasp, I did experience a sense of longing. That feeling lingered in the depths of my mind and motivated me to give my all whenever I received a new character to embrace.”
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Even though Indrans’ Ripper Ravi in Anjaam Pathiraa appeared only for a few minutes at the beginning of the film, his performance left a lasting impression. It was as if the movie helped him paste his photo at the top of the Malayalam cinema bulletin board, accompanied by a label that described him as “underused” and “underrated”. Indrans skillfully portrayed a character that encompassed the various facets of a serial killer, one who referred to the crimes he committed as his “ecstasy”. Within a few seconds, he managed to convey the intricacies of the character. His performance was a delicate balance of subtlety and eccentricity, illuminating how serial killers experience sensations akin to orgasm when carrying out their heinous acts.
“I received a comprehensive and perceptive explanation of the character from director Midhun Manuel Thomas. While it wasn’t necessary to explicitly convey every aspect of our discussions during the performance, it was crucial to maintain these notes in my mind to portray the character fully. The core idea was to depict Ravi as someone who takes pleasure in his actions, similar to how we derive enjoyment from the things we love. Thanks to Midhun’s clear guidance, my task was simply to absorb and interpret the insights he shared, allowing me to embody the character with unwavering conviction.”
In a recent interview with The Cue Studio, Sheela, one of the most senior actors in Indian cinema right now, spoke about the evolution of the Malayalam film industry’s work culture over time and noted that it has become more relaxing and less demanding. Pointing out that they used to act in as many as four films a day earlier, Sheela stated that now it was enough to act in one film a month. “Hence, we can embrace that character and play it peacefully. It’s a more relaxing affair now,” the veteran actor, who began her film career in 1962, said.
When asked if he resonated with the statement, the sexagenarian actor said, “Until recently, I couldn’t afford to be selective. For a long time, I belonged to the group of actors who accepted every opportunity that came their way. Fortunately, most of the films I worked in were directed by talented filmmakers, and they turned out to be successful. Hence, I rarely had additional responsibilities in those projects. But as I started receiving substantial roles that demanded more focus, it became quite intimidating. That’s when I began putting in extra effort to understand the specific needs and expectations of these characters. I started contemplating whether each new role I received differed significantly from what I had done before. I also began considering the nature of the film itself, such as whether it is intended for the big screen or other media, and if it targets a wider or narrower audience, and so on. It becomes even more daunting when there are numerous actors involved in a film. Despite my attempts to adhere to these guidelines, it doesn’t come naturally to me. I find it challenging to follow them, perhaps because I initially entered the industry as a technician and ended up forming many friendships. When these friends approach me and ask for support in their endeavours, how can I say no? Hence, I haven’t fully adopted that level of selectivity yet.”
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P Padmarajan, an illustrious figure in the annals of Malayalam cinema, joined the ranks of visionary directors such as KG George and Bharathan, ushering in a new era of filmmaking in the industry. The indelible mark he left can be witnessed in his cinematic gems—Thoovanathumbikal (1987), Nombarathi Poovu (1987), Aparan (1988), Moonnam Pakkam (1989), Season (1989), and Innale (1990)—which continue to be hailed as Kerala’s epitome of artistic excellence. Sarvakalasala (1987, Dir. Venu Nagavally) and Chenkol (1993, Dir. Sibi Malayil) have also transcended time, achieving the revered status of “timeless classics”.
Upon retrospective contemplation, these films ascended to the realm of masterpieces due to a confluence of factors, including the meticulous craftsmanship bestowed upon the costumes adorning the characters. A comprehensive exploration of these remarkable productions reveals the unwavering commitment of the technicians, who poured their heart and soul into their respective endeavours. Equally deserving of accolades are the costume designers, whose brilliance shone through as they meticulously conceptualised, crafted, or procured the attire donned by the actors. Their discerning analysis of the plot, tone, character, mood, and other cinematic elements exemplified their artistry.
Intriguingly, the significance of this point resonates deeply in the context of this interview, as it unveils the astonishing fact that Indrans himself served as the costume designer for all the aforementioned movies. “I have had the privilege of serving as a costume designer in approximately 109 films, and I can confidently say that it has been the catalyst for my success. The role of a costume designer has provided me with the self-assurance and resilience that have propelled me to where I am today. Without this job, I am unsure if I would have been able to overcome my limitations and break into the film industry. Working in this capacity has not only introduced me to incredibly talented artistes but has also allowed me to collaborate closely with exceptional technicians, who have been invaluable mentors,” reflects Indrans, brimming with pride.
Indrans with actors Jagathy Sreekumar, Kalpana and master Tejas. (Express archive photo)
When asked if the younger version of himself, the 24-year-old Indrans who entered the film industry as a costume designer in the early 1980s, would be overjoyed to know that he has achieved the very things he once dreamt of – with writers and directors now crafting roles specifically for him – the actor couldn’t contain his happiness and burst into laughter. He exclaimed, “I still have frequent conversations with him… We discuss and debate various aspects. Despite my body’s attempts back then to convince me that my limitations would hinder me from achieving many things, I refused to surrender and instead told my body that I would fight against it. I make it a point to share with that 24-year-old self how far we have come. I am grateful that I never stopped dreaming at any stage of my journey.”
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When inquired about his aspirations for the future, Indrans expressed his sentiments in a modest manner, saying, “I don’t believe I possess the knack for handpicking remarkable characters. Nonetheless, my aspiration is to embody significant roles that offer substance or to be involved in films that possess a profound essence.”
Over the course of his extensive four-decade acting career, Indrans has predominantly excelled in comedic roles, earning widespread appreciation for his ability to bring such characters to life. (Express archive photo)
Indrans with actors Srividya and KTS Padannayil on the sets of the Malayalam film Dilliwala Rajakumaran. (Express archive photo)
Chippy Renjith and Indrans on the sets of Kalyana Sougandhikam. (Express archive photo)
Actors Indrans and Jagadish while shooting for the movie Kinnam Katta Kallan. (Express archive photo)
Indrans with actors Jagathy Sreekumar, Kalpana and master Tejas. (Express archive photo)
Indrans entered the film industry in 1981 as a costume designer and then kickstarted his career as an actor by doing small roles. (Image: Indrans/Facebook)