The delightful web of quirky characters in the fictional village of Perilloor has spun a new thread as Disney+ Hotstar’s ‘Perilloor Premier League’ brings to light a variety of lively personas, with Jaya Kurup finding herself in a pivotal role that expands her acting horizon. The actor brings to life Gomathy, the assertive spouse of the village’s crafty politician Peethambaran, played by Vijayaraghavan. As the narrative follows the latter’s machinations to position his niece Malavika, portrayed by Nikhila Vimal, as a panchayat president candidate, the story adds depth through Gomathy’s character. “Gomathy stands out as one of the few ‘normal’ characters in the village,” Jaya shares with notable amusement.
Her role as Gomathy marked a refreshing change for Jaya, who has consistently been cast in maternal roles, her most recent being the mother of Fahadh Faasil’s character in the 2022 release ‘Malayankunju.’ “It felt nice to finally get a meaty role and also have a different look on screen,” Jaya expresses, her voice bubbling with excitement during a call from Kattappana, her hometown in Idukki. However, stepping into Gomathy’s shoes was no simple feat. It was Jaya’s most challenging project yet, as she admits she battled illness and self-doubt about doing justice to the character, despite the positive atmosphere on set.
Her initial scene alongside Nikhila required multiple takes. “I take time to get into a character, especially when I have to speak a different dialect. Nikhila was extremely supportive,” she gratefully acknowledges. Jaya’s evolution in the role was also fostered by Vijayaraghavan, whose presence initially intimidated her. Matching his dialogue delivery was daunting, but with his encouragement and suggestions, Jaya found her footing.
The collaboration with the director, Praveen Chandran, his assistants, and co-actors, particularly Sajan Cherukayil, who portrays Chandu, formed a support system that furthered her performance. “I haven’t received this much appreciation for any role before. All credit goes to Praveen and Deepu [Pradeep, the writer] for making it happen. In PPL, no character goes unnoticed,” remarks Jaya.
With three decades of professional theatre experience behind her, Jaya boasts a resume devoid of familial acting influences but overflowing with personal passion. Dance classes gave way to acting with a ballet troupe, leading to a fortuitous path in theatre. Her journey saw her traverse through various ambitions—from nursing to lab technology to midwifery—before firmly planting her roots in theatre upon her inaugural play with Kottayam Akshaya.
That initial spark in theatre ignited a career that carried her through the ranks of several renowned troupes and saw her balancing her passion with personal milestones, including marriage to fellow artist Narayana Kurup and motherhood. Her life on the stage persisted through the pandemic until it was curtailed and eventually reignited by her cinematic break in ‘Malayankunju.’
Though Jaya experienced a cinematic moment in Lijo Jose Pellissery’s ‘Jallikattu’ (2019), it was her performance in ‘Malayankunju’ that earned her widespread recognition—an opportunity she fortuitously secured despite age considerations, thanks to multiple endorsements from theatre professionals. Since then, she has appeared in 17 films, with ‘Grrr…’ with Kunchacko Boban and ‘Kondal’ with Antony Pepe Varghese in her upcoming projects.
Reflecting on the potential of being typecast, Jaya endeavors to imbue each character with distinct mannerisms. The role in PPL was serendipitous, thanks to the recommendation by a member of the ‘Christy’ crew coupled with Nikhila’s endorsement. Jaya’s insightful approach to character-building involves crafting personal backstories, a technique influenced by the young director Nithin Joseph and one that helps her differentiate between the heightened performance of theatre and the understated realism in cinema.
Notwithstanding her ascent in the silver screen, Jaya remains steadfastly connected to her theatrical roots. She actively participates in amateur plays, exemplified by her involvement in ‘Thottavarude Yudhangal,’ put together by the Kattappana-based Darsana Film Society—a testament to her enduring love for the stage and unyielding commitment to her craft as an actor.
