The wedding video of popular mimicry artist and actor Niyas Backer’s daughter has become one of the most viewed videos on the social media in the last few days. Though his fans enjoyed the video, in which many actors including mega star Mammootty were spotted, they were surprised to know that Niyas has a daughter who is old enough to get married.
The audience had imagined the actor who entertains them as ‘Koya’ in the super hit TV series Marimayam to be a married ‘young’ man with little kids. However, they were shocked when the actor’s daughter Jaseela got married to Muneer recently. When asked about the varied reactions that are popping up on the social media, Niyas replied with his quintessential smile, “May be that is because I am not too noticeable. Many didn’t realize that my daughter has grown up because they don’t usually notice me.”
From plays and mimicry shows to television and movies, there aren’t many fields where Niyas hasn’t made a mark for himself. The elder son of yester year actor Aboobacker who essayed the roles of Kunjamama in Valsalyam and Abukka in Gandharvam, Niyas had acting in his genes. His younger brother is Kalabhavan Navas who is the super star of the mimicry stages. Though he has played countless roles in movies and television, it is the super hit satirical series Marimayam aired on Mazhavil Manorama which made Niyas a household name.
In an interview, Niyas Backer talks his experiences in the entertainment industry and also shares his happiness about his daughter’s wedding. Excerpts:
Mark the youngest
“Many were surprised to know that I have a grown up daughter. Most people think that Navas is my elder brother. He is in fact two years younger to me. He is often mistaken as the elder brother because he had made the entry into this field first and also because he is taller and heavier than me. Director Sidhique, in one of the episodes of Cinema Chirima aired on Mazhavil Manirama, made me and Navas stand together and clearly introduced me as the elder brother and him as the younger one. Similarly, in the movies too I have mostly essayed characters that are young,” noted Niyas.
Marriage at 25 despite Muslim!
Niyas, a native of Vadakkancherry, revealed that he is 46 years old. He married his father’s best friend KV Muhammed’s daughter Haseena when he turned 25. Though Niyas and Haseena knew each other from childhood, the duo didn’t share a close friendship. “Haseena is one of three girls and they also have a very young brother. So there weren’t many opportunities for us to become friends. My father and her father had acted together in plays since their childhood days. I was doing minor stage shows when I got married. Navas was in Kalabhavan and I was in the theater group run by actor Mala Aravindan,” explained Niyas.
Niyas is the eldest of three brothers. He recalls that their mother often accompanied their father to places where he performed in plays. The three brothers were usually all by themselves at their home. Niyas said that a marriage alliance may have been arranged for him at a young age because his parents thought he was lonely. Niyas’s youngest brother Nizamuddin is a journalist. The actor’s daughter Jaseela is 21 years old and recently got married to Muneer who works in Qatar.
Better late than never
“I may be genetically influenced by my father when it comes to acting. I don’t think my career took off a bit late. I believe that everything happens according to the fate. I try to think that each year has become amazing than the previous ones. I utilize the opportunities that come my way to the maximum. The fact that I have been able to survive in the movie industry for the last 15 years itself is incredible,” noted Niyas.
The journey
Niyas made his entry into the movies, playing a minor role in the film Venkalam, directed by legendary film maker Bharathan. His breakthrough role, however, was the one in the movie Ishtam directed by Siby Malayil. Niyas has acted in about 50 films including super hit movies like Gramaphone, Pattanathil Sundaran, Speed and Ordinary. “I have no idea why there was a break in between. May be that was the fate. It was Marimayam which gave me my big break. I still do stage shows. Navas and me had started a troupe as well,” said Niyas.
Niyas Backer has been living in Aluva, with his family, for the last ten years. He also has a son Thaha who is a class nine student. Before winding up, we ask him his 'secret' medicine for remaining young and he laughingly states, “Let my ‘youngster’ image be intact in the audience’s minds. There is a medicine that I regularly consume. I have plans to sell it for a hefty amount i.e. to have hearty laughs, form great friendships and be contented with everything that you have.”
