Saiju Kurup

Saiju Kurup
Saiju Kurup
Born (1979-03-12) 12 March 1979
Cherthala, Alappuzha district, Kerala, India
OccupationActor
Years active2005–present
Spouse
Anupama B. Nambiar
​
(m. 2005)​
Children2

Saiju Govinda Kurup (born 12 March 1979) is an Indian actor who works primarily in Malayalam cinema. He debuted in a leading role with Mayookham (2005), directed by Hariharan. He has starred in over 150 films, in supporting as well as leading roles.[1]

Early life

Kurup was born to N. Govinda Kurup and Sobhana Kumari Pillai in Alappuzha district, Kerala. Although a native of Cherthala, he was brought up in Nagpur,[2] where he completed his schooling and college education.[3] He studied engineering in Nagpur.[4] His father was posted in Kamptee. Following his father's retirement, the family relocated to Cherthala. After returning from Nagpur, Kurup joined Airtel office in Thiruvananthapuram. In 2004, while working there, he met singer M. G. Sreekumar as part of his sales role. Sreekumar, who had recorded a song for the film Mayookham, encouraged him to audition for the lead role. Kurup subsequently auditioned in Chennai and was selected for the role.[3]

Career

Kurup with Mammootty and Ramachandra Babu in 2007

Kurup made his acting debut in a leading role with Mayookham (2005), directed by Hariharan. Approximately a year and a half after the film's release, he resigned from his position at Airtel, though initial opportunities proved limited.[5] Reflecting on his early performances, Kurup later noted that, "around the time of Mulla (2008), Doubles (2011), and Karmayogi (2012), I learnt to bring what I observed into my performances. That's when I found my rhythm".[3]

His first breakthrough came with Trivandrum Lodge (2012),[4] in which he portrayed a comedic character that marked a departure from his earlier roles. He observed that, "until then, I played clean-shaven, shirt-tucked-in characters. But Shibu Vellayini was raw and real, and people connected with him". He played another comedic role in Vedivazhipadu (2013).[3]

Kurup starred and wrote the screenplay for the 2013 film My Fan Ramu.[5] He appeared in a dual role in Hotel California (2013).[6] He later played Pappan, a supportive brotherly figure in the sports drama 1983 (2014).[3] For his role as an oncologist in Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela (2017), he undertook preparation by consulting a practicing doctor.[4] In 2018, Deccan Chronicle noted that "very few have been able to carve a niche among the clan of supporting actors in Malayalam cinema where they have been an integral part of the movies as their characters work as adhesives in building up the story line. Saiju Kurup is one among them". His performance as Vijith in Theevandi (2018) received critical acclaim.[6]

Kurup appeared as Johny Peringodan in Driving Licence (2019).[3] In 2021, he played the lead role in the crime thriller Guardian.[4] He played a pivotal role in Meppadiyan (2022), which was a commercial success. He played a psychologist in his first horror film Bhoothakalam (2022), which received positive response. Kurup played the lead role of a circle inspector in the thriller Anthakshari (2022).[5] In the same year, he starred in the title role as a headstrong thug in Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan (2022), produced by Dulquer Salmaan.[3]

In 2024, Kurup played the lead role in the drama Porattu Nadakam. He also made his television series debut that year with Jai Mahendran on SonyLIV, portraying the titular character, a principled yet astute tahsildar. The same year, he ventured into production with the comedy-drama Bhrathanatyam (2024), in which he also played the lead role. Although the film underperformed at the box office, it later received critical acclaim following its release on streaming platforms. In 2025, he played a leading role alongside Arjun Ashokan in Abhilasham.[4] In 2025, The New Indian Express observed that Kurup "has built a steady presence in Malayalam cinema — not by chasing stardom, but by consistently turning in performances that resonate".[3]

Personal life

Kurup married Anupama B. Nambiar in 2005. She was a personality language development trainer in a multinational company.[5] The couple have a daughter, Mayookha, and a son, Aftab. The family resides in Panampilly Nagar in Ernakulam district.[7]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released

Malayalam

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Mayookham Unni Kesavan
2006 Lion Prasad
Ashwaroodan Divakaran
Baba Kalyani Tahir Mohammad
2007 Sketch Shivahari Iyer
Hallo Praveen
Indrajith Zaheer Mustafa
Chocolate Manuel Abraham
2008 College Kumaran Raghu
Jubilee Joji
Mulla Bharathan
Parunthu Vineet
Anthiponvettam Nitin
Novel Lekshmanan
2009 Pramukhan Ramesh Nambiar
Brahmasthram Indrajeeth
2010 Koottukar ACP Antony Alex
2011 Doubles Sameer
Makaramanju Raja Raja Varma
Scene No: 001 Chandramohan
Makeup Man Sorrya's fiancé
2012 Karmayogi Kandhaa
Trivandrum Lodge Shibu Vellayani
Poppins Job
2013 Red Wine Navas Paramban
Kutteem Kolum Sreehari
Hotel California Tarun Singh Deol / Rafeeq Ahmed
Thank You Arun
Left Right Left Mathew
Tourist Home Unknown
Bicycle Thieves Rameshan
My Fan Ramu Ramu
Vedivazhipadu Sanjay [8]
2014 1983 Pappan
Konthayum Poonoolum Johny
Medulla Oblongata Appachan
Munnariyippu Rajeev Thomas
Njaan V P Kunjikannan
The Dolphins Kandi
2015 Aadu Arakkal Abu [9]
Chirakodinja Kinavukal Commissioner K P Benny
Lukka Chuppi Father Xavier
Nirnayakam Ravi Shankar
KL 10 Patthu Ajmal
Kohinoor DySP Mohan Raghav Cameo appearance
Salt Mango Tree Praveen Nambiar
Rajamma @ Yahoo Yohanan
Rockstar Registrar
2016 Maalgudi Days Manu Varma
Action Hero Biju CI Manoj Mathew
Aakashvani Jamal [10]
Sahapadi 1975 Oola
Valleem Thetti Pulleem Thetti Bhajrangan [11]
Happy Wedding Dhanendran
Annmariya Kalippilanu Dr. Roy
IDI Mr. X [12]
Kavi Uddheshichathu..? DySP Noble Jacob
Kolumittayi Satheeshan Puzhakkara
Sivapuram Unknown
2017 Mannamkattayum Kariyilayum
Kadam Kadha Srikanth
Alamara Prakasan
1971: Beyond Borders Nathan [13]
Adventures of Omanakuttan Phillip
Careful Ramesh Nath
Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela Dr. Saiju
Pokkiri Simon Beemapally Noushad
Tharangam Siju
Vimaanam Ananthan
Aadu 2 Arakkal Abu [14]
2018 Captain Gupta IPS
Kalyanam Kishore
Kala Viplavam Pranayam Rameshan
B.Tech Prasanthan
Naam Masthan Sebastian
Iblis Sukumaran
Theevandi Vijith
Padayottam Sreekuttan
Dakini Vikraman Parudeesa
2019 Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel Vidhyadharan
Sathyam Paranja Viswasikkuvo Kuriyan
Janamaithri Samyukthan [15]
Kalki Sooraj
Pranayaa Meenukalude Kadal SI Eldho Sebastian
Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 Prasannan [16]
Jack & Daniel DySP Philip
Vaarthakal Ithuvare Haneef
Thrissurpooram Doctor Cameo appearance
Prathi Poovankozhi Sreenath
Driving License Johny Peringodan
2020 Forensic Xavier "Xavi" John Kattookkaran [17]
C U Soon Dr. Prashanth
2021 Mohan Kumar Fans Shobi
Aarkkariyam Vyshak [18]
Nizhal Chief Judicial Magistrate Ajith [19]
Pidikittapulli Disney
Guardian Dr Arun Jacob
Kurup CI Praveen Chandran
2022 Meppadiyan Varkey (Philip) [20]
Bhoothakaalam George
Lalitham Sundaram Sandeep [21]
Oruthee Sreekumar [22]
Antakshari Yesudas [23]
Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan Gunda Jayan [24]
12th Man Mathew [25]
Prakashan Parakkatte Kozhi Kuttan [26]
Theerppu Parameshwaran Potti [27]
Mei Hoom Moosa Meeran [28]
Saturday Night Justin [29]
Gold Jomon
Malikappuram Ajayan / Ajayakumar [29]
2023 Enkilum Chandrike Abhi [30]
Janaki Jaane Unni Mukundan [31]
Madhura Manohara Moham Jeevan Raj [32]
Valatty Dobermann Voiceover[33]
Pappachan Olivilanu Pappachan [34]
Rajni Abhijith [35]
A Ranjith Cinema Sunny [36]
2024 Abraham Ozler Krishnadas [37]
Gu Sai [38]
Nunakkuzhi Dr. Jayadevan [39]
Pallotty 90's Kids Manjulan [40]
Bharathanatyam Sasidharan Nair [41]
Porattu Nadakam Abu [42]
Anand Sreebala DySP Sankar Das [43]
2025 Daveed Kochappa [44]
Aap Kaise Ho [45]
Abhilasham Abhilash Kumar [46]
Azadi [47]
Written & Directed by God Jijo [48]
Flask [49]
Sumathi Valavu Hari [50]
Diés Iraé George [51]
2026 Aadu 3 Arakkal Abu and Padanayakan Koma Kurup [52]
Bharathanatyam 2 Mohiniyattam Sasidharan Nair [53]
Ankam Attahasam † TBA [54]

Tamil

Year Title Role Notes
2010 Siddhu +2 Police Officer
2012 Marupadiyum Oru Kadhal Jeeva
2013 Aadhi Bhagavan ACP Ranadev Patel
2015 Thani Oruvan Charles Chelladurai
2023 Aval Peyar Rajni Abhijith

As dubbing artist

Year Film Dubbed for Character
2014 @Andheri Atul Kulkarni Rajan Pillai
Mr. Fraud Dev Gill Nikhil Adharva

Web series

Year Title Role Notes
2024 Jai Mahendran Mahendran [55]

Short films

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2015 Night Muller The Husband Malayalam Comedy Short Film [56]
2016 Purakathumbol Prabhakaran M. L. A. Malayalam Short Film
2017 Invisible Actor The Film Star Malayalam Short Film [57]
2018 Sunnath Kalyanam Abu Malayalam Short Film [58]
2020 Kaazhchakkappuram Circle Inspector Kerala Police Awareness Movie [59]

Television

Year Title Role Language Channel Ref.
2016 6 Piece Pizza Malayalam Asianet
Annie's Kitchen Guest Malayalam Amrita TV [60]
2021 Swantham Sujatha Himself Malayalam Surya TV [61]

References

  1. ^ https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/news/saiju-kurup-20-years-cinema-aaram-malayalam-actor-ov7m852p
  2. ^ I. S., Gopika (14 April 2023). "In Nagpur, we'd somehow try to get banana leaves for the Vishu sadya: Saiju Kurup". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Team TNIE (10 April 2025). "Saiju Kurup: 'I will never do a rapist or paedophile role'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d e M., Athira (16 October 2024). "Interview | Actor Saiju Kurup: I have realised it is better not to have a wish list". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  5. ^ a b c d Sreelekha, R. B. (2 February 2022). "I had to forsake a few films for 'Meppadiyan': Saiju Kurup". Onmanorama. Retrieved 30 March 2026.
  6. ^ a b "In love with acting". 13 September 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  7. ^ "Here is why Saiju Kurup and family are excited about their chic, new flat". OnManorama. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Indrajith, Murali Gopy to team up again". The Times of India. 3 March 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  9. ^ ആലുങ്ങല്‍, സജ്‌ന. "'പിങ്കിയെ കൊല്ലാന്‍ കത്തി മൂര്‍ച്ച കൂട്ടിയ അറക്കല്‍ അബുവിന് ആടെന്നാല്‍ ജീവനാണ്'". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  10. ^ "Saiju turns villain!". The Times Of India. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Saiju Kurup will be sporting a Veerappan-style moustache in his next". Deccan Chronicle. 6 January 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  12. ^ "After playing cop, Saiju Kurup turns burglar". The Times Of India. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Saiju Kurup is an army tank driver in 1971: Beyond Borders". The Times Of India. 2 March 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Arackkal Abu is back". 23 November 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  15. ^ "Saiju Kurup- Sabumon movie titled Janamaithri". The Times Of India. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  16. ^ "About the Movie Android Kunjappan Version 5.25". Digit Binge. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  17. ^ "Mamta shares screenspace with Saiju Kurup 15 years after 'Mayookham'". English Mathrubhumi News. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Aarkkariyam: Kamal Haasan launches the teaser of this Parvathy film". The Indian Express. 22 January 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  19. ^ "Appu N Bhattathiri on making the cut as director with 'Nizhal'". The Hindu. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  20. ^ "Saiju Kurup joins sets of Unni Mukundan's Meppadiyan". Cinema Express. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  21. ^ "First look of Manju Warrier-Biju Menon's 'Lalitham Sundaram' out". The New Indian Express. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  22. ^ "Oruthee, a survival drama starring Navya Nair". The New Indian Express. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  23. ^ "Priyanka Nair pairs up with Saiju Kurup in investigative thriller Anthakshari". The Times Of India. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  24. ^ "Saiju Kurup announces his 100th movie". English Mathrubhumi News. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  25. ^ "Mohanlal wraps up shoot for '12th Man'". The New Indian Express. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  26. ^ "Dhyan Sreenivasan announces new project Prakashan Parakkatte". The New Indian Express. 17 November 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  27. ^ "Theerppu review: Serious drama trivialised by confused mix of theatrics". OnManorama. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  28. ^ "Suresh Gopi starrer 'Mei Hoom Moosa' gets an OTT release date". The Times of India. 9 November 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  29. ^ a b "Sunny Wayne, Saiju Kurup To Team Up For Febi George Stonefield's Next". News18. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Basil Joseph and Suraj Venjaramoodu-starrer Enkilum Chandrike gets OTT release date". Cinema Express. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  31. ^ "Janaki Jaane clears censors with a U certificate". Cinema Express. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  32. ^ "Madhura Manohara Moham trailer to be out on this date". Cinema Express. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  33. ^ "Valatty movie review: A lighthearted dog movie slowed down by its attempt to show canine struggles akin to those faced by humans". The Indian Express. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  34. ^ "Saiju Kurup's 'Pappachan Olivilanu' gets a release date". The Times of India. 26 July 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  35. ^ "Kalidas Jayaram's bilingual film 'Rajni' to hit screens in Nov 2023". The New Indian Express. 10 October 2023.
  36. ^ "Kannilorithiri Neram song from A Ranjith Cinema is out". Cinema Express. 29 November 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  37. ^ "Abraham Ozler Movie Review: Intriguing details camouflage an unaffecting thriller". Cinema Express. 11 January 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  38. ^ Features, C. E. (22 April 2024). "Saiju Kurup's Gu gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  39. ^ Features, C. E. (20 July 2024). "Nunakuzhi Teaser: Basil Joseph gets caught in a comedy of errors". Cinema Express. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  40. ^ "Pallotty 90's Kids: Kerala State Film Award winner film to have a theatrical release on this date". ottplay. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  41. ^ Features, C. E. (19 August 2024). "Saiju Kurup's Bharathanatyam gets a new release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  42. ^ Features, C. E. (14 July 2024). "Saiju Kurup's Porattu Naadakam gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  43. ^ Features, C. E. (19 April 2024). "It's a wrap for Arjun Ashokan and Aparna Das-starrer Anand Sreebala". Cinema Express. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  44. ^ Features, C. E. (2 February 2025). "First single 'Edakochi Ishq' from Antony Varghese-starrer Daveed is here". Cinema Express. Retrieved 15 February 2025.
  45. ^ Features, C. E. (4 February 2025). "Dhyan Sreenivasan's Aap Kaiso Ho gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
  46. ^ Features, C. E. (17 March 2025). "Abhilasham gets a release date, trailer out". Cinema Express. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  47. ^ "Azadi movie review: Sreenath Bhasi's jailbreak drama struggles to break free of clichés, is shackled to a terrible twist". The Indian Express. 24 May 2025. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  48. ^ Features, C. E. (17 April 2025). "Saiju Kurup and Sunny Wayne's Written & Directed by God gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  49. ^ Features, Express (12 February 2025). "Saiju Kurup & Suresh Krishna starrer Flask completes shooting". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
  50. ^ Madhu, Vignesh (13 February 2025). "Arjun Ashokan-starrer Sumathi Valavu gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  51. ^ "Kani's suicide and architect Rohan; Dies Irae, terrifying Mollywood". Kerala Kaumudi. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 11 February 2025.
  52. ^ "Aadu 3 box office collection: Jayasurya's film weathers Dhurandhar 2 tsunami, collects over Rs 12 cr". The Indian Express. 20 March 2026. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
  53. ^ "Saiju Kurup's Mohiniyattam shooting wrapped up". The New Indian Express. 7 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  54. ^ "Madhav Suresh-starrer Ankam Attahasam gets a release date". Cinema Express. 14 April 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  55. ^ "Saiju Kurup's Sony LIV series Jai Mahendran gets a release date". Cinema Express. 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  56. ^ "About the Short Film Night Muller". Spotlight Fillum. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  57. ^ "Acting class like no other". Deccan Chronicle. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  58. ^ "Mamukkoya-starrer 'Sunnath Kalyanam' to cast a spell on viewers". Onmaorama. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  59. ^ "Saiju Kurup plays a CI in Kerala Police awareness video". The Times Of India. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  60. ^ "Saiju Kurup to visit 'Annie's Kitchen'". The Times Of India. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  61. ^ "Actor Saiju Kurup excited to play a cameo in 'Swantham Sujatha', says 'My wish came true'". The Times Of India. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
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