Malayalam actor Jayashankar Karimuttam emphasizes that cinema requires more than passion—it demands experience, training, and perseverance, as he gears up for his first lead role in Maruvasam.
By G.R. Gayathri
Kochi: A person without profound life experiences cannot become a great artist, says Malayalam actor Jayashankar Karimuttam. The beloved actor is currently part of Hridayapoorvam, the latest film from the Mohanlal-Sathyan Anthikad team. He shared his thoughts during a break in filming.
Jayashankar made his debut in Malayalam cinema through the film Vadhu Doctoranu and has been an active presence in the industry for over three decades. His signature performances have made him a familiar face to Malayali audiences. He has played remarkable roles in films such as Bhramaram, Palunku, Amen, Maheshinte Prathikaaram, and Njan Prakashan, appearing in nearly a hundred films to date. Now, he steps into a lead role for the first time in Maruvasam.
Directed and written by filmmaker Anuram, Maruvasam features several prominent actors from the Malayalam film industry. Following Kalyanasam, Dum, Aazham, and Kallam, this is another production under Rams Film Factory, owned by Anuram. The film also stars Shehin Siddique, Prashanth Alexander, and Kailash in notable roles.
Jayashankar, who has been involved in theatre since his school days, entered cinema in 1994. Speaking about his new film, he announced that Maruvasam will hit theaters on March 7. “Although it took a long time to reach the lead role, I am extremely happy about it. Maruvasam is a film with a compelling theme, and the audience will witness many memorable moments in it,” he said.
The actor expressed gratitude for his journey in the industry, stating, “I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work in good films and to be part of the film industry. But it is important to remember that one must be able to survive even without cinema. I have always balanced acting with my professional work. Even though I have mostly played smaller roles, earning a place in the audience’s hearts is a great achievement. People often recognize me and even recall my dialogues, which is incredibly rewarding.”
However, he emphasized that cinema is not something one can succeed in purely out of passion. “It requires proper learning and training. The true talent of an artist lies in making their performance feel entirely natural to the audience. I have seen many aspiring actors arrive on set with big dreams, only to leave disappointed when they realize it is not as easy as they thought. I often wonder how much effort they must have put in just to reach that point. Facing rejection only makes us stronger. Without strong life experiences, one cannot become a great artist.
“The brilliance of the renowned actors we see today is a result of the hardships they have endured. Thirty years ago, a film director was regarded with the same authority as a college principal. They had to be firm and resilient to navigate the industry. Today, directors ensure that new actors are as comfortable as possible before beginning a project, which is a positive shift for cinema. What matters now is how a story is told, rather than whether it carries a moral or a message,” Jayashankar concluded.
