Jagadish

P. V. Jagadish Kumar, better known mononymously as Jagadish, is an Indian actor, screenwriter, television presenter, former college lecturer and former banker. He has starred in over 400 Malayalam films and two Hindi films. He is best known for his comic and character roles. Jagadish starred in over 50 films as the lead actor during the 1990s. He was one of the bankable lead stars in Malayalam cinema during the 1990s.

Jagadish is a postgraduate M.Com. rank-holder. He transitioned from a bank officer to a government-aided college lecturer and to an actor. Jagadish made his acting debut with My Dear Kuttichathan (1984), India's first 3D film. He got a break with his role as Appukuttan in Siddique-Lal's In Harihar Nagar (1990). His notable films include Godfather (1991), Mimics Parade (1991), Welcome to Kodaikanal (1992), Thiruthalvaadi (1992), Priyapetta Kukku (1992), Mr & Mrs (1992), Pandu Pandoru Rajakumari (1992), Kunukkitta Kozhi (1992), Kasarkode Khaderbai (1992), Kallan Kappalil Thanne (1992), Grihaprevesam (1992), Sthreedhanam (1993), Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans (1993), Injakkadan Mathai & Sons (1993), Simhavalan Menon (1995), Mimics Super 1000 (1996), Hitler (1996), Junior Mandrake (1997) and Gramapanchayath (1998). He has written a few scripts as well, most notably Adhipan (1989).

In 2016, Jagadish entered into politics to compete against his colleague and former state minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar for Member of the Legislative Assembly post of the Pathanapuram constituency under the banner of the Indian National Congress and lost in the elections.

Early life Jagadish was born as the fifth son among six children to K. Parameshwaran Nair and P. Bhasurangi Amma in present-day Chenkal, Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram. His father was a school headmaster, and his mother was a housewife. He has two elder brothers, Dr. Gopakumar and Rajkumar; a younger brother, Sureshkumar; and two elder sisters, Late Dr. P.B. Santha Devi and Chandrika Devi.

Jagadish had his primary education at Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram. He earned a bachelor's in commerce from Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram. He then post-graduated with a Master of Commerce from Mar Ivanios College, Trivandrum, under the University of Kerala with first rank.

Jagadish worked as a clerk in Canara Bank, Edappal, Malappuram. Later he became a lecturer and NCC officer at M.G. College, Thiruvananthapuram, a college run by NSS. He had also worked as a lecturer at Pazhassi Raja N. S. S. College, Mattanur, Kannur. He had dreams of becoming a film actor, so he took a long leave from his job and tried his luck in films.

Film career Jagadish dubbed for various other actors, normally for short dialogues. As an actor, he debuted with a minor role as a cabaret announcer in My Dear Kuttichathan (1984), which was India's first 3-D film. Jagadish became an established actor with his roles in Mutharamkunnu P.O. (1985), where he plays the hero's friend, Nandi Veendum Varika (1986), Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal (1987) and Vandanam (1989). In his early career, he wrote stories and screenplays for a few films including Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986) (story), Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal (1987) (dialogue) and Adhipan (1989) (screenplay). He revealed in an interview as his fellow generation of actors were turning to production, he also is planning to direct a movie with Mammootty in the lead role.

In 2016, in Ranjith's movie Leela Jagadish played the negative role of a drunkard father which gathered wide appreciation.

Personal life Jagadish was married to P. Rema, a forensic professor in the Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, who died on 1 April 2022. The couple has two daughters, both doctors, now married and have children. They are settled at Kaladi, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram.

Awards Kerala Film Critics Association Awards 1990: Special Jury Award - Malayogom 1991: Second Best Actor - Mukha Chithram, Nettippattom 2012: Special Jury Award - Ozhimuri, White Paper 2024: Ruby Jubilee Award - Outstanding contributions to Malayalam cinema

Other awards and honors 2009: Asianet Film Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role – 2 Harihar Nagar 2016: Asianet Television Awards – Golden Star Award - Comedy Stars (Season 2) 2024: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam - Purusha Pretham 2024: Mazhavil Entertainment Awards - The Entertainer of the Year - Character Role - Falimy, Garudan, Neru, Abraham Ozler 2025: Prem Nazir Chalachitra Shreshta Puraskaram, lifetime achievement award by Prem Nazeer Suhruth Samithi 2025: Honoured at the platinum jubilee celebration of Mar Ivanios College, as the alumni for enriching the Malayalam cinema and television industries for five decades.

Filmography