Baiju Santhosh urged me to avoid such roles: Jagadish on ‘Marco’

2024 was a terrific year for veteran actor Jagadish, who took on unique and interesting roles on the big screen. He enjoyed both critical and commercial success, earning appreciation for his splendid portrayal of multiple characters.
Reflecting on his journey, Jagadish recalled how screen icon Mammootty and actor Baiju Santhosh had given him valuable career advice. After watching 'Marco', Baiju called him and urged him not to take up such roles, saying he couldn’t bear to see Jagadish play a heartless villain. Jagadish, who shares a brotherly bond with Baiju, responded, “You feel that way because you love me. It will be fine after a few more movies.”

Meanwhile, during a journey a few years ago, Mammootty had asked Jagadish whether he had no intention of winning an award. Jagadish explained that he could deliver a power-packed performance only if he was given good roles. Mammootty then advised him that such roles wouldn’t magically appear—he had to seek them out.

Jagadish later discussed Mammootty’s words with his family. Around that time, he received a call from filmmaker Ranjith. “Do you want to shock the audience? Then I have something for you,” Ranjith said before narrating the story and detailing Jagadish’s role in it. Having never played such a character before, Jagadish felt as though he had been waiting all these years for an opportunity like this. However, he asked for ten minutes to make his decision—he wanted to speak to his wife and children and get their permission, as the character Thankappan Nair in 'Leela' was particularly wicked.

Although the film wasn’t a major commercial success, Jagadish’s performance became a topic of discussion within the industry, marking a significant moment in his career.

Mammooty calls after ‘Leela’
Jagadish says that Mammootty not only called him after watching ‘Leela’, but also offered him an exciting role in ‘Rorschach’.

“When director Nissam Basheer and writer Sameer came to meet me, they couldn’t stop talking about my performance in ‘Leela’. They were clear about what they wanted from me. I believe I was able to perform to the best of my ability. ‘Rorschach’ was a success in theatres too, which was a great confidence booster for me,” noted Jagadish.

Mohanlal’s ‘secret’
"Mohanlal expresses his admiration in a unique way," says Jagadish.
"Lal was presenting me an award for my acting in 'Rorschach'. When I went to him, he held me close and asked in my ear, 'Did you get a call for 'Neru'?' I looked at him with a confused expression. 'It is a fabulous role,' he said, patting my shoulder. That’s how I landed the role of Muhammad in Jeethu Joseph’s 'Neru'."

"Lal kept appreciating me during the promotion of the movie as well as after its release. Suresh Gopi, too, showered praise while we were acting together in 'Garudan'. He would say, 'Jagadish is no longer the same actor; so, beware.'"
"Jayaram and I shared an endearing bond while working in 'Ozler'. These are friendships that go back ages," recalls the actor.

Dr Xavi Punnoose in Ozler
Dr Xavi Punnoose in 'Ozler' had a unique body language and dialogue delivery, and Jagadish received praise for portraying him perfectly.
Xavi is weak and does not walk fast, so Jagadish had to adjust his walking speed and style to match the character’s mannerisms. He recalls director Midhun Manuel Thomas advising him to look directly into Mammootty’s eyes during their combination scenes. However, Jagadish confesses that it was quite difficult to maintain eye contact with the screen icon while acting.

"I needed to portray the character that way because he shows no remorse even after committing such a cruel crime. He doesn’t believe he will be caught or punished. That is why he speaks with his head held straight, staring right into his opponent’s eyes," says Jagadish.

Comedy in 'GuruvayoorAmbalanadayil
Although Jagadish handled comedy in 'Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil', it was unlike the comic roles he had played earlier.
Sudevan in 'Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil' is not a loud, young, flirtatious character like the ones he portrayed in 'In Harihar Nagar' or 'Godfather'. Instead, he is a responsible family man, which reflects in his restrained way of speaking and acting. Jagadish stuck to natural comedy in this film. Similarly, he played father roles in 'Vaazha' and 'Hello Mummy'.

Meanwhile, Sumadathan in 'Kishkindha Kaandam' is a bit mysterious. He carries a strange past in his eyes, which needed to be conveyed through his gaze.

Jagadish is also hopeful about his role in the upcoming movie 'Officer on Duty', where he shares screen space with Kunchacko Boban.

Hero of 90s
"I am really close to young actors like Kunchacko Boban, Prithviraj, Asif, Tovino, Basil, Unni Mukundan, and Sharafudeen. Even after a movie is completed, they call me to discuss the characters," says Jagadish.
"For me, each movie is like a campus, and the director and writer—who are younger than me—are my teachers. I am just a student who keenly listens and performs as per their instructions. However, as an experienced actor, they often ask for my opinions. I share them only when asked."

"I have played the lead role in more than forty films and acted opposite many female superstars. Urvashi was my heroine in six movies. I consider all of this sheer luck. I knew even then that I might have to take on smaller roles again. It was around that time that I acted with Mohanlal in 'Butterflies' and Mammootty in 'Jackpot'," he recalls.

Dealing with criticism
Jagadish takes note of criticisms just as much as he appreciates praise.
"Once, a YouTuber mercilessly criticised me. I was upset and even discussed it with my kids. But later, the same person praised my acting in another film. That’s when I realised he had no personal grudge against me. He had only criticised my performance in that particular movie and appreciated my work in the next," says Jagadish.

"I wish to remain an actor who is loved by everyone," he adds.

Appreciation that surprised him
'Appuram' (The Other Side), in which Jagadish played a unique role, was screened at the IFFK. The film was directed by debutant Indu Lakshmi.
Jagadish recalls feeling happy when veteran filmmaker Siby Malayil appreciated his performance. However, his greatest joy came from seeing his daughter, Saumya, speak to the media about the film.

"She is exactly like her mother, Rema—she rarely appears in front of the media. But I believe she was willing to share her thoughts only because she truly loved her father’s performance," says Jagadish.

Family
"My elder daughter, Dr. Ramya, is settled in Chennai with her family. Her husband is an additional police commissioner there. My younger daughter, Saumya, and her husband are both working as doctors in Thiruvananthapuram," says Jagadish.
"It was during the Pongal holidays in Tamil Nadu when 'Rekhachithram' was released. We all gathered in Chennai and had a wonderful time together. But, I am deeply saddened that Rema is no longer with us," he signs off.