Jayan
Jayan | |
|---|---|
| File:Jayanthdavara.bmp | |
| Born | Krishnan Nair |
| Years active | 6 |
‘‘‘Jayan’’’, whose birth-name was Krishnan Nair, was a leading actor of the Malayalam film industry in the 1970s.
Biography
Early Life
Jayan was born in 1940 in Kollam, Kerala, India as the first child of Madhavan Pillai and Bharathi Amma. Jayan's was born in his family residence, Kottaram Veedu (Palace House). His birth-name was Krishnan Nair. He had a younger brother. Jayan's formal education ended with SSLC. After that he joined the Indian Navy. The first accolades for his acting skills reached him when he was a Navy officer. He used to act in plays during various functions like anniversaries. The encouragement from his friends and colleagues in Navy gave him the desire to act in films. Jayan served the Indian Navy for 16 years. Then he left The Navy to try his hand in the film industry.
Career
Jayan started his career with acting in minor roles. His first film was Shapamoksham (1974). Jayan got his first major break with Thacholi Ambu (1978) in which he acted as a co-hero. What made Jayan a superstar was his negative hero role in Sarapanjaram (1979). He catapulted to fame riding on Machismo roles that endeared him to the masses, and he established himself as one of the most popular Malayalam film actors of his time. He is also touted as the first action hero in Malayalam cinema.
Jayan was very different from the typical Malayalam film stars in the sense that he had a good physique that befitted an action hero. With Jayan the advent of Serious Action movies began. The usual theme of family melodrama and "Romance-Songs-Running-in-between-trees" ended. Movies exploited his masculine physique and often could one see him appeared bare-chest in most of the scenes. His onscreen dress code, most famous for the Elvis Bellbottoms, his masculine image and the nature of his death turned him into something of a legend in Kerala. Jayan was also known for having a very different and unique method of dialogue delivery and he has contributed many memorable lines to Malayalam film history.
In the late '90s and the early part of the 21st century, there was a resurgence in the popularity of Jayan in Kerala. A whole new generation of people (mostly teenagers) developed a Jayan "fad" and his old movies came into prominence again. This resurgence was mostly because of popular mimicry stage artists in the State, whose imitations of the star quickly caught on, and very soon, similar shows became common place in popular culture, mostly in college stage events, television programs and mimicry stage shows. This fad quickly came under criticism since most of them made a mockery of the star's typical mannerisms.
Death
On 16th November 1980, at the height of his popularity, he died in an accident, at the age of 40 on the sets of a movie named Kolilakkam. Jayan always insisted on doing stunts with out dupes, and for this movie he was performing a particularly dangerous stunt that involved him boarding an airborne helicopter from a moving motorbike. While doing so, he fell off the helicopter and succumbed to the resulting injuries. The scene was shot one, and was Okayed by the director. But the Jayan, who was a perfectionist, insisted for a repeat shot in which the accident occurred. There have been some conspiracy theories regarding the circumstances of his death.
The memories of this popular star today stands immortalized in Malayalam film history with his loud, colourful, dress code, machismo mannerisms and unique speaking style together with the sudden resurgence of popularity nearly two decades after his tragic death.
Filmography
- Ariyappedatha Rahasyam (1981)
- Kolilakkam (1981)
- Thadavara (1981)
- Love in Singapore (1980)
- Angaadi (1980)
- Anthappuram (1980)
- Benz Vasu (1980)
- Ethikkara Pakky (1980)
- Idi Muzhakkam (1980)
- Kaanatha Valayam (1980)
- Karimpana (1980)
- Kari Puranda Jeevithangal (1980)
- Manushya Mrugam (1980)
- Meen (1980)
- Moorkhan (1980)
- Naayattu (1980)
- Paallattu Kunjikannan (1980)
- Sakthi (1980)
- Aavesham (1979)
- Angakkuri (1979)
- Anupallavai (1979)
- Avano Atho Avalo (1979)
- Chuvanna Chirakukal (1979)
- Irumpazhikal (1979)
- Ivide Kattinu Sugandam (1979)
- Mamangam (1979)
- Mochanam (1979)
- Poottata Pootukkal (1979)
- Prabhu (1979)
- Puthiya Velicham (1979)
- Sarapanjaram (1979)
- Sayoojyam (1979)
- Aana Paachan (1978)
- Adavukal Pathinettu (1978)
- Ee Manohara Theeram (1978)
- Iniyum Puzha Ozhukum (1978) .... Vidhubaala
- Itha Oru Manushyan (1978)
- Jayikkanaayi Janichavan (1978)
- Kaathirunna Nimiksham (1978)
- Lisa (1978)
- Madanolsavam (1978)
- Mattoru Karnan (1978)
- Soothrakkari (1978)
- Thacholy Ambu (1978)
- Yeatho Oru Swapnam (1978)
- Acharam Ammini Osaram Omana (1977)
- Itha Ivide Vare (1977)
- Ormakal Marikkumo? (1977)
- Randu Lokam (1977)
- Rathi Manmathan (1977)
- Ashirvadam (1976)
- Panchami (1976)
- Shapa Moksham (1974)