Veteran Malayalam actor Indrans is winning hearts with his impactful performance in recent Tamil blockbuster Karuppu starring Suriya.
Having dropped out of school in class 4 due to financial struggles, K. Surendran found a livelihood in tailoring. Running a tailoring shop ‘Indran’s Brothers Tailors,’ – a name which went on to give him his stage name – Indrans made his entrance into Malayalam cinema as a costume designer in 1981 film Choothattam.
From doing small roles before finding his space in comedic and character roles, Indrans has steadily built his presence in Malayalam cinema – and beyond – with his onscreen versatility and offscreen simplicity.
As the world finally takes note of the allure of this unassuming yet powerful actor, we look back at a few of his iconic, must-watch roles.
CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed. (1994)
Directed by Rajasenan, 1994 mystery comedy CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed. starring Jayaram and Jagathy Sreekumar is considered the turning point of Indrans’ early acting career.
In his breakthrough role as Kunju, Indrans established a distinct comedic style rooted in physical comedy and a signature accent.
Punjabi House (1998)
Dileep’s iconic comedy drama film Punjabi House – directed by Rafi Mecartin – was yet another blockbuster in Indrans’ expansive comedy filmography of the 90s.
The film, which also catapulted Dileep to superstardom, saw Indrans further carve out his comedic presence in the role of Uthaman.
Aalorukkam (2018)
Having established his towering and steady presence in Malayalam cinema through the 90s and 2000s, Indrans later career has been stocked with experimentation and diversity.
In 2018’s Aalorukkam, directed by debutant V C Abhilash, Indrans played the lead role of Pappu Pisharody, an aging Ottan Thullal performer in search of his missing son.
For his nuanced and emotive portrayal of a father struggling with acceptance, Indrans was awarded the ‘Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor’, with the film winning ‘National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.’
Anjaam Pathiraa (2020)
In 2020 crime thriller Anjaam Pathiraa starring Kunchacko Boban, Indrans appeared in an impressive, haunting cameo role that completely shattered his gentle, comic image.
His eerie portrayal of serial killer Ripper Ravi was a short but impactful glimpse of the incredible versatility that has followed in his filmography in the years since.
#Home (2021)
Released on Amazon Prime Video in 2021, #Home is considered one of his modern cinematic masterpieces. Playing an aging, technologically challenged father Oliver Twist and his attempts to connect with his grown sons through a smartphone, Indrans’ grounded but emotive portrayal struck a chord for its relatability.
Undoubtedly one of his most celebrated and critically acclaimed films, Indrans went to win the ‘National Film Award – Special Mention’ for his performance, with the film also winning ‘National Film Award For Best Feature Film In Malayalam.’
Udal (2022)
Breaking the mould of his humble, approachable onscreen presence, his performance in 2022 thriller Udal remains an underrated favourite among cinephiles.
Portraying the menacing Kuttichayan, Indrans performance in the gritty, dark and intense film showcased his ability to take over our screens with sheer personality and performance, hinting at the unexplored depths of his decades-long craft.
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