Saiju Kurup chuckles at the creative tags attached to his name, often coined from the memorable roles he has played on screen. Be it “Loan Star,” “Debt Star,” or “EMI Star,” these nicknames mirror the financial struggles of various characters he has portrayed. “I see it all in a positive light; I enjoy the memes because it means people are talking about me,” Saiju remarks with a grin. Stepping into the shoes of a character similar to these in the upcoming “Porattu Natakam,” which is set for release on October 18, Saiju continues to embrace varied challenges in his acting repertoire. Following his debut on the OTT platform with the web series “Jai Mahendran,” where he received praise for his role in multiple languages, a new moniker found him—”Language Star.”
In “Jai Mahendran,” Saiju lands the role of G Mahendran, a well-meaning yet cunning deputy tahsildar. Remarkably, he mentions having done no special preparation for the role, relying on the director’s guidance. Saiju reveals that he has rarely done extensive preparation for his roles, with the exception of playing an oncologist in “Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela,” where he consulted a real-life doctor to enhance the authenticity of his portrayal. He trusts his intuition and judgment to bring his characters to life, relying on his perception of human behavior in various situations.
“I’ve been asked if my portrayal in Bharathanatyam was drawn from real-life experiences, given my role as an office-bearer in a temple’s executive committee. The truth is, I grew up in Nagpur, away from Kerala, and the scenario was unfamiliar to me. I relied solely on the director’s insights and my understanding of the role,” Saiju reflects on his performance in the series “Bharathanatyam,” which he produced. Initially, it was a box-office disappointment but later emerged triumphantly on OTT platforms, raking in over 58 million streaming minutes, much to Saiju’s delight.
Saiju heaps praise on his co-actors in “Jai Mahendran,” particularly Rahul Riji Nair, who not only wrote and produced the series but also played Mahendran’s accomplice, Balu.
. Their camaraderie and understanding, honed through their previous collaboration in “Dakini,” allowed their performances to shine without the need for extensive rehearsals.
Reflecting on his two-decade-long journey in the industry, with over 150 films to his credit, Saiju cherishes the serendipitous path that led him to acting. His career took off unexpectedly when he was working as a sales official and chanced upon singer MG Sreekumar, who introduced him to the world of cinema. Saiju initially harbored no deep passion for acting, only discovering fulfillment and improvement as an artist through his continued engagement in the field. “Trivandrum Lodge” served as his breakthrough, solidifying his understanding of how the industry operated and underscoring the importance of staying humble and grounded.
The actor embraces roles often centered around familial dramas, frequently depicting characters burdened by life’s challenges. Saiju is pragmatic about working within budget constraints, often associated with family-centric narratives but is open to exploring different genres when opportunities align with financial feasibility. He is intent on ensuring that his projects do not impose undue financial strains on producers.
In recent times, Saiju has done away with having a wish list of roles to play, choosing instead from the array of offers that come his way. His enthusiasm now lies in collaborating with young directors, a refreshing shift from the initial pressure and intimidation he felt working with established names earlier in his career. While offers have come from other film industries, such as Telugu and Tamil cinema, Saiju has opted to prioritize his commitments at home, although he remains open to broader ventures in the future should the need arise.
Currently, Saiju is involved in filming projects like “Daveed” with Antony Pepe and will soon appear in productions such as “Abhilasham,” “Written And Directed By God,” “Sthanarthi Sreekuttan,” and “Anand Sreebala.” Meanwhile, audiences can catch “Jai Mahendran” streaming on SonyLIV and “Bharathanatyam” available on Amazon Prime, Manorama Max, and Simply South. Saiju Kurup’s journey in cinema reflects a blend of adaptability, humility, and the joy of surprising himself with every role he undertakes.
