With over 250 movie roles and prized awards under his belt, Sukumaran’s journey from a college professor to becoming one of the godfathers of Malayalam cinema has attained legendary status in Kerala.
Born on 10 June 1948 in Malappuram district, Edappal, Ponnamkuzhi Veettil Parameswaran Sukumaran Nair— known mononymously as Sukumaram—was remembered as a “walking dictionary” among family and a powerful orator and storyteller among colleagues in the industry.
After completing his Masters degree in English Literature from Thiruvananthapuram University College and receiving a gold medal during his time there, the famed actor began teaching at Government College, Kasargod.
But how did a college professor with no prior experience in the field land a big gig with acclaimed writer MT Vasudevan Nair in 1973? He asked for the job.
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Fiery dialogues
According to producer C Karunakaran, Sukumaran approached the director during the shooting of his film Nirmalyam and asked for a role. He frankly told him that he has no prior experience in acting, but he knows he can act. And on the strength of his confidence alone, MT offered him the role of a defiant youngster named Appu in the film. It went on to win the National Film Award for best feature film that year.
But his first film was the only time he ever asked for a role, he was known to be an actor that waited till he was approached.
Sukumaran continued to act in smaller roles but it wasn’t until the 1977 film Sankhupushpam that his name was taken alongside rising stars of the 1970s such as Soman and Jayan.
The trio became representative of a new generation of actors that pushed the industry to change their outlook and become more forward in their thinking, recalled actor Jose Prakash.
Sukumaram created a forte that no other actor could match up to. He brought a commanding, confrontational and vociferous edge to all the characters he played.
Critics, colleagues and fans remember his iconic firebrand dialogue delivery and his explosive energy on screen. Knowing that the audience would react with loud applause, scriptwriters gave Sukumaran longer dialogues, wrote Karunakaran.
Even the romantic roles he took up were a class apart. Going beyond the typical cliches associated with the lover pursuing the beloved in mainstream romantic films, Sukumaram brought intellectual and emotional depth to his romantic heroes. Shalini Ente Koottukari, his 1978 hit film is unforgettable for his portrayal of a young lecturer Jayadevan, who is in a relationship with his student, Shalini.
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Outspoken, charismatic
Being well-read, outspoken and incredibly opinionated was what defined Sukumaran. He often said that he is the only Malayalam actor who has read Karl Marx. His command of English also added to his persona.
After his first film, he wrote a letter of gratitude to the cinematographer, Ramachandra Babu. Sharing it on his blog, Babu said that though many actors debuted in his movies no one had expressed their gratitude to him. “That was the unique quality of Sukumaran, the man!”
Sukumaran was infamous for his uncompromising nature regarding his salary. But scriptwriter Kaloor Dennis recalled that when he came to know a film had financial constraints, he accepted a lower salary. “He had an explanation for that too — ‘Aren’t we all artists? I don’t think you should be cruel towards your co-artists for money’,” wrote Dennis.
His outspokenness also led him to tussles with friends, and even with the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA).
During its first year of operations in 1994, Sukumaram filed a case against AMMA for having a faulty selection process. The organisation in return served him an unannounced ban from AMMA and also attempted to remove him from the shooting of his film Boxer, Dennis recalled. But unrelentingly, Sukumaran refused to apologise for his complaint and even delivered a speech in English condemning the organisation. But Dennis said that the actor later confided in him that he was hurt people were plotting against him.
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A life cut short
With the rise of bigger, younger stars like Mohanlal and Mammootty, Sukumaran gracefully retreated from playing the part of the hero, but he still shone in antihero roles. Nothing could take away from his commanding presence on screen. One such role is that of the iconic deputy SP Devadas in the Mammootty-starrer Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988).
He took on a variety of movie genres from psychological thrillers to romance.
He was the chairman of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation and also found success as a producer.
The 1985 film Irakal, directed by KG George and produced by Sukumaran and starring him, won two Kerala State Film Awards—Second Best Film and Best Story. Set in the aftermath of the Emergency, it has achieved a cult fan following.
The second film he produced titled Padayani, is a 1986 thriller written and directed by TS Mohan starring big names such as Mammootty, Mohanlal, Shobhana and Devan.
Sukumaran’s dream of directing a film was left unfulfilled due to his sudden demise—caused by a heart attack on 16 June 1997. He is survived by his wife Mallika Sukumaran and his two sons—Prithviraj and Indrajith, both stalwarts of the industry.
The day after his death newspapers carried tributes from various actors. Production controller Sidhu Panakkal recalled Mammootty’s words — “If God is someone who shows us the way to live or gives us an opportunity, then Sukumaran sir is my God”.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)