Saiju Kurup, the versatile Indian actor, renowned for his captivating portrayal of debt-burdened characters, is amused by the cheeky nicknames bestowed upon him by fans—names like Loan Star, Debt Star, and EMI Star. These monikers humorously encapsulate the plight of numerous characters he has brought to life on screen. But instead of feeling weighed down by these titles, Saiju embraces them with positivity, saying, “I take it in a positive way and enjoy the memes. At least people are talking about me.” This good-natured humor complements his upcoming role in Porattu Natakam, set to hit screens on October 18, where he plays yet another character reflecting his infamous trademarks.
Saiju’s recent venture into the digital space with the web series Jai Mahendran has added a fresh accolade to his repertoire—Language Star. After releasing a promotional video in seven languages for the series, fans have given him this new title. In Jai Mahendran, Saiju steps into the shoes of a sharp and kind-hearted deputy tahsildar, G Mahendran. Uncharacteristically, Saiju did not conduct any intense preparation for this role. “I didn’t do any homework for the role. I went by what the director said,” he recalls, reflecting on his long-standing approach of relying on instinctive human reactions to portray characters authentically.
As he navigated the dynamic contours of Jai Mahendran, Saiju relied heavily on the organic synergy with his co-stars, particularly praising Rahul Riji Nair. Rahul not only wrote and produced the series but also played Balu, Mahendran’s collaborative companion. “We have been friends since I worked in his film, Dakini,” Saiju shared, appreciating the effortless collaboration that brought their characters to life. Their seamless coordination was such that it required minimal rehearsal, yet yielded compelling performances.
Jai Mahendran’s success parallels the triumph of another one of Saiju’s ventures—Bharathanatyam, which although initially faltered at the box office, has flourished on streaming platforms. Crossing 58 million streaming minutes, it is now hailed as an OTT blockbuster. This turnaround was a salve to Saiju during a challenging period, as his wife, Anupama, and industry friends rallied to lift his spirits amidst the box office disappointment. Reflecting on the journey, Saiju credits his co-producer Thomas Thiruvalla for his optimism, noting that he was reassured it would find success online—and indeed, it did.
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Though buoyed by this success in production, Saiju remains cautious about returning to the role of producer. “Not really,” he confesses when asked about future projects. However, the door remains slightly ajar for exceptional opportunities. As he marks two decades in the film industry with over 150 films to his credit, Saiju reflects fondly on the serendipities that led him to acting. Working with singer MG Sreekumar for his day job as a telecom sales official led to his unexpected entrance into films with Hariharan’s Mayookham (2004).
While his initial foray into acting lacked fervor, commitment refined his craft, yielding a breakthrough with Trivandrum Lodge eight years into his career. This journey instilled the importance of remaining grounded, with Saiju acknowledging that his unblemished relationships within the industry have fostered enduring goodwill. What’s more, being recognized by the names of his characters by the public is a heartfelt accolade he treasures.
Navigating the cinematic landscape, Saiju has found a niche in family dramas, content with budgetary constraints that often define such projects. Nevertheless, he remains open to ventures that break the mold, like the thriller Guardian, achieved under a modest budget. Above all, Saiju’s primary concern is ensuring that producers do not suffer any losses because of him.
Saiju shares that his wish list of roles has diminished over the years. Content to filter through a stream of offers, he finds more excitement in collaborating with young directors today. The rapport he shares with them contrasts sharply with the intimidation he felt with veteran filmmakers at the start of his career. Additional offers continue to tempt him from other industries like Telugu and Tamil, but scheduling conflicts have kept him rooted in his current commitments. However, he remains open to exploring such opportunities if the financial need arises.
As of now, Saiju Kurup is filming Daveed with Antony Pepe and is slated to appear in Abhilasham, Written And Directed By God, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, and Anand Sreebala. The series Jai Mahendran is available for streaming on SonyLIV, while Bharathanatyam can be enjoyed on Amazon Prime, Manorama Max, and Simply South.
