Suraj Venjaramoodu Movies: 10 Best Films of the Comedian Who Became a National Award Winner

Suraj Venjaramoodu movies tell the story of one of Malayalam cinema’s most remarkable transformations. He began as a mimicry artist and television comedian known for his Thiruvananthapuram slang, then spent years playing comic sidekicks in big star films. Today he is celebrated as a serious, award-winning actor who can carry a film on his own. Here are ten of his best films, covering both the comedy days and the acclaimed performances that changed his image.

From Mimicry Stage to Cinema

Before films, Suraj was a familiar face on stage shows and TV comedy programmes, where his sharp timing and Venjaramoodu dialect made him popular. He entered cinema in the early 2000s and soon became a regular in comedy roles. During that phase he appeared in dozens of films a year, often alongside Mammootty, Mohanlal and Dileep. Many early Suraj Venjaramoodu movies used him mainly for punchlines, yet his natural acting style stood out even in small scenes.

1. Chattambinadu (2009)

Shafi’s Chattambinadu starred Mammootty, but Suraj stole many scenes as Dashamoolam Damu, a cowardly goon who pretends to be brave. Years later, Damu’s expressions became among the most shared memes on Malayali social media. The character shows why audiences loved him as a comedian. Even people who have never watched the film recognise Damu’s face, making it an important entry among Suraj Venjaramoodu movies.

2. Perariyathavar (2013)

Dr. Biju’s Perariyathavar (Names Unknown) was the turning point in Suraj Venjaramoodu movies. Suraj played a municipal sanitation worker who lives with his son on the margins of the city. The quiet, realistic film was miles away from his comic image. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for this performance, a huge surprise for audiences who knew him only as a comedian. It proved that he had serious range waiting for the right script.

3. Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017)

In Dileesh Pothan’s Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Suraj played Prasad, a poor man whose wife’s gold chain is swallowed by a thief, played by Fahadh Faasil, on a bus. Most of the film unfolds in a police station. His restrained performance as an anxious husband felt painfully real. Read our Dileesh Pothan movies guide to learn more about this brilliant film and its director.

Suraj Venjaramoodu Movies at a Glance

Film	Year	Role type	Highlight
Chattambinadu	2009	Comic	Dashamoolam Damu
Perariyathavar	2013	Serious lead	National Award
Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum	2017	Serious	Realistic drama
Android Kunjappan Version 5.25	2019	Lead	Kerala State Award
Vikruthi	2019	Lead	Kerala State Award
Driving Licence	2019	Co-lead	Hindi remake
The Great Indian Kitchen	2021	Lead	Powerful social film
Jana Gana Mana	2022	Lead	Courtroom thriller

4. Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 (2019)

Ratheesh Balakrishna Poduval’s debut is a sweet, funny and moving story about Bhaskaran, a stubborn old villager whose son brings home a humanoid robot to take care of him. Suraj, much younger than the character, completely disappears into the role of the grumpy father. The relationship between Bhaskaran and the robot is both comic and heartbreaking. It is among the most loved Suraj Venjaramoodu movies of recent years.

5. Vikruthi (2019) and 6. Driving Licence (2019)

Two very different Suraj Venjaramoodu movies came out in 2019. In Vikruthi, Suraj plays Eldho, a speech and hearing-impaired man whose life falls apart after a stranger shares a misleading photo of him sleeping on a metro train. The film is a strong comment on social media cruelty. Driving Licence pits him as a motor vehicle inspector against Prithviraj’s film superstar in an ego clash over a licence. It was later remade in Hindi as Selfiee.

7. The Great Indian Kitchen (2021)

One of the most discussed Suraj Venjaramoodu movies, Jeo Baby’s The Great Indian Kitchen, follows a newly married woman, played by Nimisha Sajayan, trapped in endless household work in a patriarchal family. Suraj plays her husband, a polite yet deeply privileged man who never questions the system. The film became a national conversation starter on gender roles. Suraj’s quiet, unshowy performance makes the character more disturbing, because he looks like an ordinary husband many viewers recognise.

8. Jana Gana Mana (2022)

Among recent Suraj Venjaramoodu movies, Dijo Jose Antony’s Jana Gana Mana casts Suraj as Sajan Kumar, a police officer investigating the death of a college professor amid student protests. The film shifts into a courtroom drama in the second half with Prithviraj. Suraj’s calm, dignified officer is one of his finest serious roles. The film was a commercial success and sparked debates about politics, media and justice. It is a strong pick for thriller fans.

9 and 10. More to Watch

Two more Suraj Venjaramoodu movies worth watching are Mukundan Unni Associates (2022), a dark comedy in which he plays a supporting role opposite Vineeth Sreenivasan, and Grrr (2024), a comedy in which he plays a zoo security guard trying to rescue a drunk man, played by Kunchacko Boban, who jumps into a lion’s enclosure. Both show how comfortably he moves between humour and seriousness. If you enjoy realistic performances, also explore our list of Malayalam movies based on true stories, where several similar films appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Suraj Venjaramoodu movies prove that a great comedian can also be a great dramatic actor. Laugh with him in Chattambinadu, then watch Perariyathavar, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum and Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 to see his remarkable depth. Few Malayalam actors have changed their image so completely. For more actor guides, read our Soubin Shahir movies list, and see his full filmography on Wikipedia.