For a long innings

P. Jayakumar

S hows replete with comedy and satire have become a staple on Malayalam television. The programmes connect immediately with the viewers, so too the cast of these shows. Arjunan, the laidback husband of the sitcom ‘Thatteem Mutteem’ aired on Mazhavil Manorama, is a popular character among the lot. Essaying the role is P. Jayakumar, who made his debut as a film actor and went on to establish his credentials on the small screen as well even as he continued working as a government employee. He is also currently acting in the serial ‘Karuthamuthu’ on Asianet. Excerpts from an interview:

Acting vs job

My job comes before everything. Though I was passionate about acting from my childhood, I was very particular about getting a job. After graduation I did Bachelor of Education (BEd) and worked as a teacher for some time. I wrote all the tests to secure a government job. Eventually I chose to work in the survey department and have completed 31 years of service. I am currently posted as Assistant Director (Survey) with the Department of Survey and Land Records in Alappuzha. I have been on leave for a few months due to my acting commitments. I have had to take breaks at different phases of my career. But, thankfully, whenever I had to take a break, it was not the end of my acting career. I got good offers immediately. This includes serials such as ‘Marubhoomiyil Pookkalam’, ‘Aalippazham’, ‘Ohari’, ‘Nombarappoovu’, ‘Sree Guruvayoorappan’, ‘Autograph’, ‘Chandralekha’, ‘Malakhamar’, ‘Parinayam’…

Turning point

There aren’t any actors in my family, but I always loved to act. Right through my school and college days I never missed a chance to be on stage. I have worked with many professional drama troupes. In fact I am still known as Payyans in the industry, after a character I did in a play.

Rajasenan sir saw one of my plays and cast me as a policeman in his film

Njangal Santhushtaraanu . He also gave me a role in his serial

Bhagyanakshathram, which he directed and produced. I have also acted in his films –

Nakshathrakannulla Rajakumaran Avanudoru Rajakumari and

Naadan Pennum Naattu Pramaniyum .

As Arjunan

He continues to win me accolades. The director of the series gives us actors a lot of scope to improvise. Plus, I am pitted against two powerhouses of talent, KPAC Lalitha who plays my mother, and Manju Pillai who acts as my wife. It is always a challenge to match up to such terrific performers. Some of our viewers treat us as members of their family and even think that I am like Arjunan in real life! A viewer called me up to find out what Arjunan did when he was not appearing on the small screen. Another viewer advised me to be a “little more strict with my wife”!

Handling comedy

I prefer comedy to melodrama because it is more difficult than playing serious roles. I handle a very serious job off screen, where there is no question of being laidback or lazy and it is a stress buster to act in a comedy. Even the small roles in Njangal Santhushtaraanu and Sthreedhanam (both on Asianet) that I did alongside Thatteem Mutteem had enough scope for comedy. However, I am happy that I have got a rather serious character in an upcoming movie – Kathantharam .

On the big screen

I enjoy essaying characters of all genres. Jagathy Sreekumar is an actor I respect. I would like to continue in the field as long as I can as an actor. I don’t have any plans to try direction or writing.

I am currently shooting for Adoorum Thoppilum Allatha Oru Bhasi with Indrajith. Another upcoming project is Adventures of Omanakuttan , which has Asif Ali and Bhavana in the cast.