Jayaram: Real hero of 2008

It’s time for retrospection for all moviemakers in Malayalam. Around 55 films were made in Malayalam in 2008, but unfortunately, only four films have clicked at the box-office. The lucky ones are Mammootty’s Annan Thampi, Mohanlal’s Madambi, Jayaram’s Veruthe Oru Bharya and Dileep’s Twenty:20. Though Malayalam superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal have earned several achievements in this year, when it comes to real hero of 2008, it is none other than actor Jayaram, who broke all expectations and emerged the winner with Veruthe Oru Bharya directed by Akku Akbar.

After nearly five years of continuous struggle to keep his position in Malayalam films, Jayaram finally found a much-needed victory with Veruthe Oru Bharya, which is still running with good responses from audiences.

It should be noted that when Veruthe Oru Bharya came up for release, the exhibitors had even refused to screen a Jayaram movie. Distributors refused to fund the actor’s movies saying his career was over. But the plot changed after the release, thanks to the excellent script by K. Gireeshkumar that paved the way for a roaring return of the actor. Actress Gopika, who quit the industry after this movie, also came up with an outstanding performance in a role that was rejected by many prominent heroines.

Jayaram, after a long gap, is presented in a solid workable character in Veruthe Oru Bharya which is about a couple Sugunan (Jayaram), his wife Bindu (Gopika) and their daughter Anju (Nivedita). Sugunan is a typical egoistic person, the ever-complaining husband who considers Bindu as just a person who is obliged to meet all the pressures in managing home affairs.

Coming to Tamil, Jayaram was very successful in Kollywood as well. He has appeared in two super hit movies in 2008: Saroja and Dhaam Dhoom. With a bumper opening, Venkat Prabhu's second venture Saroja was widely appreciated by filmgoers and critics alike. It completed a successful screening of 100 days recently. Opened to worldwide audiences in August alongside Jayamkondaan, Dhaam Dhoomhas become Jayam Ravi's largest release till date with over 200 prints being published worldwide.

An interesting news item about Jayaram today is that after the super success ofVeruthe Oru Bharya, script writer K. Gireeshkumar once again teams up with Jayaram in Samasthakerlam P.O. directed by Bibin Prabhakar. Produced by Howley Pottoore under the banner of Dream Team Productions, this film is expected to reach theatres in January 2009. Let's hope Jayaram will be a happy man in 2009 as well.