Versatility is the trait that comes out when one considers the roles done by Indrajith Sukumaran; so is the actor’s pluck to experiment. The actor has always made his strong presence felt in the Malayalam film industry, even while portraying characters that have less screen space. Who can forget the buoyant father Vattoli who creates a flutter in the ethereal Kumaramkari in Amen? Or the naive Vishnu of Ee Adutha Kaalathu or the impulsive cop of Left Right Left. Making his debut with the 2002 film Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan, he went on to play memorable roles in Meesa Madhavan (2002), Runway (2004), Chotta Mumbai (2007), Arabikkatha (2007), Twenty:20 (2008), Nayakan (2010) and Ezhamathe Varavu (2013). Having acting in over 50 films till date, predominantly Malayalam, he has also dabbled in a few Hindi, English, Tamil and Telugu films. He has starred in a lot of movies with his brother Prithviraj Sukumaran including the 2006 blockbuster Classmates that revolves around the happenings in a college.
Being the son of late actor Sukumaran, cinema was a natural choice for the Sukumaran brothers. Indrajith is also a computer engineer who pursued his BTech from the Indian Engineering College, Nagarcoil, Tamil Nadu, from 1997 to 2001. But unlike his school days from the reputed Sainik school, which was fun-filled, Indrajith had a less eventful college life. “I had a low-profile existence in college. During my school days, I was active in theatre, music and other cultural activities. I was more focused on academics during my graduation days,” he says.
He remembers himself as a silent and studious student who stayed within the hostel room and studied well. “It was a phase post my father’s demise so I couldn’t enjoy college to the fullest,” Indrajith reveals. Nevertheless, he remembers that the campus was really good. “It was a vast campus. There were a group of institutions. There were many Malayali students from Thiruvanathapuram and Kottayam. I was friendly with all, but I was closer to my school friends,” he says.
The actor who also sings, has crooned for a few movies and experimented with singing in college. “That was the only extracurricular activity that I participated in,” he says. “I lived in a world of my own, bunking classes after weekends, so as to be with my family,” he says. Since Sainik school was not co-educational, Indrajith was shy to talk to girls. “I was quiet and never initiated a conversation with them. It was the girls who used to approach me and talk,” he says with a smile.
He remembers his teachers as ‘cool’ and co-operative. “The college had young junior lecturers. Therefore we never had the stringent teacher-student relationship. They were understanding and we never had any rifts,” says the actor.
Recollecting those days, Indrajith remembers a tiny thattukada (tea joint) which was the favourite hangout place for students. “During exams, we used to visit the shop in the night,” he says. For the actor, the best memories were the good grades he got in examinations. “I sometimes wonder how those days flew! Occasionally, I have felt a tinge of regret for studying engineering instead of filmmaking,” says Indrajith with a hearty laugh.
Next in the pipeline for the actor is an exciting comedy thriller, Double Barrel, with an ensemble cast for company, which includes Fahadh Faasil, Prithviraj and Asif Ali. The film is directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery. Married to actress/TV host Poornima, the couple has two daughters, Prarthana and Nakshathra.
— parvathy@newindianexpress.com