Janardhanan (actor)

Janardhanan
Born
Janardhanan Pillai

(1946-05-05) 5 May 1946 (age 78)[1]
NationalityIndian
EducationBachelor of Commerce
Alma materVelu Thampi Memorial N.S.S. College, Dhanuvachapuram
Occupations
Years active1965–present
SpouseVijayalaxmi Janardhanan
Children2
Parents
  • Kollarakkattu Veettil K. Gopala Pillai
  • Gouri Amma
Military career
Allegiance India
Service / branch Indian Air Force

Janardhanan Pillai (born 5 May 1946), also known as Janardhanan Nair, is an Indian actor, producer and a former Indian Air Force personnel who predominantly acts in Malayalam films.[2] He acted in his first feature film Adyathe Kadha, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan in 1971, he acted in more than 700 films. He started his career when Malayalam films were made in black and white. He is known for his style of handling humour and his iconic voice. He started his career playing brusque villains and sub hero roles in the 1970s and early 1980s, acting along with Prem Nazir and Jayan, but later established himself as a highly sought-after comedian.

The turning point of his career was his role in the 1988 film Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, which brought out his comic skills. However, he was typecast as a comedian only after the 1993 film Meleparambil Aanveedu. Mimicry artists perform with his noted role of Garvasis Aashan in Mannar Mathai Speaking (1995). But along with comic roles, he had done serious roles like D.I.G Marar in Dhruvam and Jayashankar in Mafia. Apart from stereotyped Hindu/Muslim/Christian characters, he has the distinction of portraying a Sikh and a Jewish character.

Personal life

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Janardhanan Pillai was born in the village of Ullala near Vaikom on May 5, 1946, to Kollarakkattu Veettil Paravoor K. Gopala Pillai and Gouri Amma, as their youngest son. He has four brothers and three sisters.[3] He had his primary education from NSS High School, Vechoor and pre-university from NSS Hindu College, Changanassery. Later, he joined the Indian Air force for a short period. After two years in 1967, he joined Velu Thampi Memorial N.S.S. College, Dhanuvachapuram for B.Com.

He debuted in a Family Planning documentary Prathisanthi, directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, recommended by lecturer Sreevaraham Balakrishnan. He turned down the offer of bank employment and became Production Manager for Chemparathi, produced by S. K. Nair and directed by P. N. Menon. After that, he worked with Kakkanadan and V. B. C. Nair for Malayalanadu weekly. Then S. K. Nair sent him to Madras (now called Chennai) to take charge in his Madras office. While working there, he got an opportunity to act in Aadhyathe Katha in 1972.[4]

He is married to Vijayalaksmi and they have two daughters: Rema Ranjini and Laxmi.[5]

Filmography

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As actor

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1970s

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Year Title Role Notes
1972 Aadhyathe Katha Mohan
Chemparathy Vinayan
1973 Gayathri
Mazhakaaru Soman
Chukku
1974 Udayam Kizhakku Thanne
Bhoogolam Thiriyunnu Gopi
Moham
1975 Swami Ayyappan
Utsavam Ouseppu
Pennpada Panicker
Chalanum
Priyamulla Sophia
Njan Ninne Premikkunnu
Sathyathinte Nizhalil
Omanakkunju
Odakkuzhal
Love Letter
Cheenavala Rowdy Pachan
1976 Abhinandanam Police Inspector
Mallanum Mathevanum
Ponni Sub-collector
Prasaadam Sukumaran
Ozhikkinethire
Chennai Valarthiya Kutty
Anaavaranam
Missi
Ayalkkaari Mathew
1977 Anjali
Kannappanunni Pachan
Muttathe Mulla Ramesh
Agninakshathram
Harshabashpam
Makam Piranna Manka
Saritha
Ivanente Priyaputhran
Veedu Oru Swargam
Innale Innu Chadran
Aanandham Paramaanandham Inspector Raghavan
Acharam Ammini Osaram Omana Ravikumar
1978 Snehikkan Samayamilla
Aarum Anyaralla Baby
Avalku Maranamilla
Velluvili Sreedharan
Yagaswam Vijayan
Vadakakku Oru Hridayam
Snehathinte Mukhangal
Iniyum Puzhayozhukum Sukumaran
Randu Penkuttikal
Avalude Ravukal
Kadathanaattu Maakkam Kunjikannan
Mukkuvane Snehicha Bhootham Lopez
Bandham
Kanyaka Raghavan
Vyaamoham
Aaravam Anthony
Vayanadan Thamban
Kudumbam Namukku Sreekovil Venugopal
Eeta Kurup
1979 Vijayam Nammude Senani
Ezhu Nirangal Radhakrishnan
Hridayathil Nee Matram
Iniyathra
Indradhanussu Sub Inspector Babu
Prabhaathasandhya Kutty Sankaran
Vijayanum Veeranum Prakash
Lillypookkal
Jimmy Babu Paul
Simhasanam
Itha Oru Theeram Chandran
Vaaleduthaven Vaalaal
Vellayani Paramu Kottaram Sarvadhikari Swami
Yakshi Paaru Shekharan
Sandhyaragam
Jeevitham Oru Gaanam Varghese
Ore Vaanam Ore Bhoomi Raghu Tamil film
Ezhamkadalinakkare Raghu

1980s

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Year Title Role Notes
1980 Ashwaradham Rajagopal
Sathyam Balraj
Theenalangal Madhavan/Rajasekharan
Aagamanam Murali
Saraswathi Yaamam Madhu
Dwik Vijayam Pankajakshan
Idi Muzhakkam
Paalattu Kunjikannan Thampikutti
Chandrahasam Balan
Raagam Thaanam Pallavi
Avan Oru Ahankaari
Kadalkkaattu Gopalan
Manushya Mrugam Chandran
1981 Ellaam Ninakku Vendi Somarajan
Aambal Poovu
Tharattu
Ithihasam
Itha Oru Dhikkari Koyikkal Kuruppu
Nizhal Yudham
Ariyappedatha Rahasyam Pappan
1982 Snehapoorvam Meera Baby
Marupacha Janardhanan
Njan Ekananu Raghu
Keni Madhusoodanan
Post Mortem Unni
Ethiraalikal Hamsa
Sharam
Aayudham
Mylanji Moideen
Aarambham Lazar
Ithiri Neram Othiri Karyam Shekharan
1983 Samrambham
Pourasham Lawrence
Angam
Nanayam Vasu
Ee Yugam
Bandham
Arabikkadal
Iniyengilum Kariyachan
1984 Unaroo
Oru Kochu Swapnam Co-operative bank manager
Uyarangalil A. K. Menon
Lakshmana Rekha Balachandra Menon
Kudumbam Oru Swargam Bharya Oru Devatha Paul
Kadamattathachan Aliyar
Aksharangal Theatre Artist Babujose
Ivide Thudangunnu S. P.
Adiyozhukkukal Hamsa
Aalkkoottathil Thaniye Balachandran
1985 Uyirthezhunnelppu Anand
Pournami Raavil 3D
Idanilangal
Mukhyamanthri Pappachan
Mulamoottil Adima Ibrahim
Janakeeya Kodathi Janardanan
Anubandham Police Officer
Kathodu Kathoram Lazar
Kattukulle Thiruvizha Tamil film
1986 Sukhamo Devi Ouseppachan
Koodanayum Kattu
Abhayam Thedi C. S. Nair
Gandhinagar 2nd Street Professor
Niramulla Ravulkal Kumaran
Yuvajanotsavam Unnithan
Cabaret Dancer
Pournami Rathriyil
Nimishangal S.P. Damodharan Pillai
Aavanazhi Vincent
Ee Kaikalil Madhava Menon
1987 Amme Bhagavathi Swami Siddhan
Vrutham Avarachan
Nadodikkattu Kovai Venkatesan
Irupatham Noottandu IG Thomas IPS
Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam Police Inspector
Kaala Rathri
Mangalya Charthu Kuruppu
Thoranam
Itha Samayamayi MLA Vattappara
Sreedharante Onnam Thirumurivu Ramachandran
Adimakal Udamakal Ramachandran
Aankiliyude Tharattu Stanley
1988 Moonnam Mura IG Mathews
Oru CBI Diary Kurippu K. A. Ouseppachan
Abkari Karthikeyan
August 1 K. Divakara Kaimal
Karate Girls
Evidence D I G
1921 Appunni Nair
Thanthram Adv. Rajasekharan
Mukthi Shekharan Nair
1989 Aksharathettu Regional Manager
Varavelpu Kumaran
Vandanam MP Ramachandran
Pradeshika Varthakal
The News Radhakrishnan
Naduvazhikal Aasan
Prabhatham Chuvanna Theruvil
Adhipan Kaimal
Charithram Cherian
Adikkurippu William
Jagratha Ouseppachan

1990s

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Year Title Role Notes
1990 Crime Branch Charukeshan
Randam Varavu Police Officer
Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam Rambo Chackochan
Kuruppinte Kanakku Pustakom Beena's Uncle
Kadathanadan Ambadi
May Dinam Chachappan
Lal Salam Kannan Muthalali
Nammude Naadu CI Joseph
Arhatha Krishnakumar
Appu Janardhana Kaimal
No.20 Madras Mail Adv. Thomas Mathew
1991 Nattuvishesham Kattumooppan
Kilukkampetti Managing Director
Godfather Gopi
Georgekutty C/O Georgekutty
Advaitham Krishnan Kutty Menon
Nayam Vyakthamakkunnu Chackochan
Adayalam Adv. Haridas
1992 Mayaunna Manasukal
Soorya Gayathri Babu Karunakaran
Poochakkaru Mani Kettum Menon
Adhwaytham Krishnankutty Menon
Sathyaprathinja
Kizhakkan Pathrose Ponjikkara Appa
Apaaratha Phalgunan
Sadayam Police Officer
Oottyppattanam Menon
My Dear Muthachan Adv. Ananthan
Ennodishtam Koodamo Arathi's Uncle
Adharam Krishna Menon
Thalastaanam C.M Krishnankutty
1993 Sarovaram
Porutham
Aacharyan Raveendranath
Varam
Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans CM Govinda Menon
Mithunam Sivasankaran
Meleparambil Anveedu Kannappan
Maya Mayooram Mohan Tharakan
Janam K. Divakaran
Ekalavyan Krishnan
Devaasuram Kunjikrishnan Nambiar
Dhruvam D.I.G. Marar
Vatsalyam Ramankutty Menon
Mafia DYSP Jayashankar
Paalayam Lawrence
1994 Kabooliwala 'Minnal' Thomachan
Vardhakya Puranam Cherian Thomas
Vadhu Doctoranu Sankaran
Poochakkaru Mani Kettum Menon
Pingami Koshy Varghese
Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu Dr. Vishnu Narayanan Potty
Varanamaalyam Thomas
Rajadhani
Kinnaripuzhayoram Sivashankaran Nair
CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed. Rishikeshan Nair
Bheesmacharya Madhavan Nair
Vishnu Divakaran
1995 Highway DYSP George Alexander
No. 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North Kunjukkuttychayan
Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njanum
Achan Rajavu Appan Jethavu Madhavan Thampi
Parvathy Parinayam Narayanankutty
Minnaminuginum Minnukettu Unnithan
Tom & Jerry Chachan
Three Men Army K. R. G. Menon
Thacholi Varghese Chekavar Mathukutty
Sindoora Rekha Narayanan Nair
Puthukottyile Puthu Manavalan Palathara Palunni
Pai Brothers Kesavan
Mannar Mathai Speaking Garvasees Ashan
Mangalam Veettil Manaseswari Gupta Achuthankutty
Kidilol Kidilam Karunakara Kuruppu
Kalamasseriyil Kalyanayogam Kalamassery Krishnan Nair
Kaattile Thadi Thevarude Ana Alexander
Avittam Thirunaal Aarogya Sriman Phalgunan
Aniyan Bava Chetan Bava Kottaram Veedan
Aadyathe Kanmani Unnithan
1996 Mimics Super 1000 Easwara Kurup
Swapna Lokathe Balabhaskaran Sadashivan
Parasala Pachan Payannur Paramu
Mookkilla Rajyathu Murimookkan Rajavu
Manthrika Kuthira Kunjukutty
Devaraagam Harihara Subramanya Iyyer
Kanjirapally Kariachan
1997 The Good Boys Mohanachandran
Superman Nithya's Valyachan
Kilikurussiyile Kudumbamela
Poonilamazha Abhimana Varma
Kottappurathe Koottukudumbam Bharathan Pillai
Oru Mutham Manimutham Sreedharan
Poomarathanalil Fernandez
Vamsam
Anjarakalyanam
Junior Mandrake
The Car Kumarettan
Kilukil Pambaram
Karunyam K. K. Nair
Kadhanayakan Sathrughnan Pillai
Hitler Brothers Thrivikraman
Aniyathi Pravu Dr. Kuttappayi
Varnapakittu Ramaswamy Iyer
1998 Summer in Bethlehem Colonel C.R. Menon
Punjabi House Manninder Singh
Meenathil Thalikettu Kunjiraman
Mayilpeelikkavu Narayanan Kutty
Gloria Fernandez From USA
Ormacheppu
1999 Vazhunnor Thevakattu Avarachan
Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum Krishnan Nair
Ustaad Swamy
Pathram Kuruvithadam Baby
Njangal Santhushtaranu Idikkula Ittoopp
Parashala Pachan Payannur Paramu
American Ammayi Menon
James Bond Kunnamkulam Rappai
Friends Madhava Varma
F.I.R Chief Minister
Crime File Kaliyar Pathrose Vaidyan
Chandamama Thampy

2000s

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Year Title Role Notes
2000 Sathyam Shivam Sundaram Sambhavana Warrier
Pilots Shekharan
Mr. Butler Ramakrishnan
Swayamvara Panthal Radhakrishnan
Dreams Thottathil Mathen
Mark Antony Parel Pappu
Devadoothan Principal
Darling Darling Unnithan
Daivathinte Makan Fr. Gabriel
2001 Saivar Thirumeni Fr. Kuruvithadam
Randam Bhavam D. I. G. of Police
Naranathu Thampuran Police officer Baburaj
Ee Ravil
Rakshasa Rajavu Chief Minister
Nagaravadhu Kesari Govinda Pillai
Dubai K. J. Nair
Karumadikkuttan Govindan Nair
Andolanam
Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka Balakrishnan Nambiar
Nariman Chief Minister Shekharan
One Man Show Raveendran
2002 Kattuchembakam A.D.G.P Narendra Thampi
Kadha
Thandavam Menon
Snehithan Vivek's father
Kuberan Vasan
Kayamkulam Kanaran
Kaiyethum Doorath Passenger in the boat
Chirikkudukka Prahaladhan Pillai
Bamboo Boys Mula Swamy
2003 Gramophone Gregory
Chronic Bachelor Parameswaran Pillai
Sadanandante Samayam Menon
Swapnam Kondu Thulabharam Madhavan Thampi
Melvilasam Sariyanu Menon
Mizhi Randilum Thampi
Ivar S. K. Nair
Valathottu Thirinjal Nalamathe Veedu Ajith's uncle
2004 Thalamelam Kochousepp
Kottaram Vaidyan Marthandan
Vamanapuram Bus Route Bahuleyan
Sethurama Iyer CBI Ouseppachan
Udayam Krishna Menon
Njan Salperu Ramankutty Narayanan
Kanninum Kannadikkum Narayanan
Chathikkatha Chanthu Thampuran
Vettam Fernandes
Natturajavu Father Pappy
Black Aasan
Kadhavaseshan Veerabhadran Nair/Kuttammavan
2005 Five Fingers Fr. Nedumbaran
Udayananu Tharam Madhumathi's father
Immini Nalloraal Bhaskara Pillai
Thommanum Makkalum Panikkar
Alice in Wonderland Mani Kuruvilla
Rappakal Sankaran Kuttiyar
The Tiger Ahamed Sahib
2006 Jayam
Madhuchandralekha
Rashtram Keshava Menon
Kilukkam Kilukilukkam Sankaran Potty
Thuruppu Gulan Peethambaran
Chess Easwara Varma
Nottam Menon
Red Salute Medayil Ittichan
Pathaaka Muhammed Mash
Kanaka Simhasanam Upendra Varma
2007 Inspector Garud Krishnan Namboothiri
Paranju Theeratha Visheshangal Raghavan Nair
Panthaya Kozhi Sankaran Nair
Khaki Bahuleyan
July 4 Lokanathan
Hallo M. N. Nambiar
Nazrani Thampi
2008 Magic Lamp Anandan
De Ingottu Nokkiye
Raudram Chief Minister
College Kumaran V Narendranath
Malabar Wedding Paappan
Annan Thambi Ravunni
Mayabazar Kuriayachan
Twenty:20 Ramakrishnapilla
Crazy Gopalan Narayana Kurup
2009 Kadha, Samvidhanam Kunchakko Chief Minister
Aayirathil Oruvan Eenasu
Sanmanasullavan Appukuttan Lambodharan Pilla
Samastha Keralam PO Valiya Ammavan
Oru Black and White Kudumbam Madhava Varma
Utharaswayamvaram Vasu
Moz & Cat Avutha
Seetha Kalyanam Thiruvattar Thankavelu
Makante Achan Kurup
Love In Singapore
2 Harihar Nagar Fr. Stephen Varghese
Ee Pattanathil Bhootham Philipose
Loudspeaker Grandpa
Chattambinadu Vadival Vasu

2010s

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Bodyguard Balakrishna Menon
Annarakkannanum Thannalayathu Muthupandi Chettiar
Bombay Mittayi
Kaaryasthan
Malarvaadi Arts Club Nelloor Gopalan
Mummy & Me Fr. Felix
Pramani Castro Vareeth
Best of Luck Kuzhithura Ponnappan
Chekavar P.M.V.
Elsamma Enna Aankutty Balan Pillai
Kudumbasree Travels Mullasery Raveendra Chakyar
2011 Lavender
Makeup Man Paul, Film producer
Payyans Brittas's father
Violin
Ulakam Chuttum Valiban Jayashankar's uncle
Maharaja Talkies
Lucky Jokers Madhava Varma Thampuran
Nadakame Ulakam Aanni Kurup
Venicile Vyapari Raghuramavarma
2012 Mullassery Madhavan Kutty Nemom P. O.
The King & the Commissioner Central Minister G. K
Trivandrum Lodge Arthur Gopal Relton
Madirasi Kurup
Karmayodha Narayana Menon
Naughty Professor
Ee Thirakkinidayil
Theevram S.P Varma
Namukku Parkkan Krishnan Ammavan
Thiruvambadi Thamban Kunjachan
2013 Nadodimannan Damodharan
Maad Dad Mamachan
Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath Thirumeni
Black Butterfly Lazer
Careebeyans Chief Minister
Vallatha Pahayan
KQ
2014 Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 Garvasees Aasan
Salalah Mobiles Kodaangi Guest appearance
Ettekaal Second
Konthayum Poonoolum Baby
2015 Bhaskar the Rascal Sankara Narayanan Pillai
Utopiayile Rajavu Vasavan Pillai
2016 Savam
Marupadi
2017 Fukri Venkatesh Iyer
Georgettan's Pooram
Rakshadhikari Baiju Oppu Narayanan
Lavakusha Sathyan, film producer
Masterpiece Chief Minister
2018 Captain K. Karunakaran
Panchavarnathatha Bride's Father
Abrahaminte Santhathikal Priest
Aanakkallan
2019 Kalikoottukkar
Oru Yamandan Premakadha Davis's Grandfather Cameo
Kuttymama
Vishudha Pusthakam
Pattabhiraman Varma
Jack & Daniel Kerala CM

2020s

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Year Title Role Notes
2020 Big Brother Valliyammavan
2022 Kaduva Chief Minister Ananthanathan
Paappan Dr. Pattabhiraman
Autorickshawkarante Bharya French Vasu
2023 Christopher Chief Minister
2018 Chief Minister
Voice of Sathyanathan Vaidyar [6]
2024 Oru Kattil Oru Muri [7]
Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam [8]

Web series

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Year Title Role Language Notes
2024 Nagendran's Honeymoons Avarachan Malayalam Disney+ Hotstar[9]

As dubbing artist

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Year Film For Whom Character
2003 Magic Magic 3D Al Dioro Thief in wheelchair

Television

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References

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  1. ^ "CINIDIARY - A Complete Online Malayalam Cinema News Portal". Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  2. ^ "നായകന്‍, വില്ലന്‍ പിന്നെ രസികന്‍".
  3. ^ "Life of Captain". mangalamvarika.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "CiniDiary". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  5. ^ "CINIDIARY - A Complete Online Malayalam Cinema News Portal". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
  6. ^ "Teaser of Dileep starrer 'Voice of Sathyanathan' out!". The Times of India. 30 April 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  7. ^ Features, C. E. (4 September 2024). "Oru Kattil Oru Muri gets a new release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  8. ^ Features, C. E. (27 October 2024). "Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam trailer promises a gripping investigative thriller". Cinema Express. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Nagendran's Honeymoons trailer: Suraj Venjaramoodu on a wedding spree". Cinema express.
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