Pappanikunnel Thankappan Saju (born 14 October 1973), better known by his stage name Saju Navodaya, is an Indian actor and comedian who works in Malayalam films, television and stage. He began his career as a comedian on stage shows and later forayed into television and into films.[1] In January 2020, he contested in the second season of Malayalam reality TV show Bigg Boss.

Saju Navodaya
Saju during Kairali TV event in Doha, 2016
Born
P. T. Saju

(1973-10-14) 14 October 1973 (age 51)
Other namesPashanam Shaji
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • mimicry artist
Years active2014 – present
SpouseResmi

Personal life

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Saju Navodaya was born sixth among nine children to Pappanikunnel Thankappan and Manka at Udayamperoor, Kochi in Kerala, India.[2] He did his schooling at SNDP HSS, Udayamperoor. He was a regular participant in almost all the competitions in school youth festivals. Saju has directed many dramas which won prizes in Ernakulam district level youth festivals in late 1990s. He studied at Sree Rama Varma Government Sanskrit College, Thrippunithura before starting a dance institute in Udayamperoor to teach classical and cinematic dance.[3] He is also an ardent follower of sports and enjoys playing Cricket and Association football. He has organized and managed sports teams, sports clubs and sports events, such as cricket and football tournaments. Saju Navodaya is married to Resmi, a trained classical dancer.

Career

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Saju began his career as an amateur mimicry artist performing in stage shows for some local clubs and festivals in his hometown. A professional mimicry artist Manoj Guinness gave him an opportunity in his professional mimicry troupe in Kochi named Cochin Navodaya. Later on, Saju's name was changed to Saju Navodaya after associating with the troupe.[4] He was known for imitating actors that made him a regular performer during stage shows presented by his troupe in India and abroad.

As of 2020, Saju is the Captain of the Mimicry Artists Association Fighter (MAA Fighters), a team in the Celebrity Cricket Fraternity (CCF), a Cricket league that includes film actors, directors, assistant directors, musicians, producers, choreographers, television actors, mimicry artistes, and media professionals.[5] In January 2020, he entered as a contestant in the second season of the 15 week-long Malayalam reality television show Bigg Boss (Malayalam season 2), broadcast on Asianet and hosted by actor Mohanlal. He was elected as the Captain of the Bigg Boss house four times, in week 2, 6, 7, and 8.[6]

Filmography

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Films

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Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 Thief
Vellimoonga Kochappy
Little Superman
2015 Mariyam Mukku Nazerath
Ivan Maryadaraman Traveler in train
Bhaskar The Rascal Vikraman
Oru Second Class Yathra Biju
Thinkal Muthal Velli Vare Jayadevan's Helper
Acha Dhin Police Officer
Jamna Pyari Sreenivasan
Utopiayile Rajavu
Life of Josutty Rameshan
Pathemari Narayanan's Roommate
Amar Akbar Anthony Rejimon
2016 Kattumakkan
Hallelooya Uthaman
Aadupuliyattam Saju
Marubhoomiyile Aana Kamal's asst
Thoppil Joppan Eldho
2017 Achayans
2018 Kalyanam Panchayath Member
Ladoo Itoope
Karinkannan Das Leading role[7]
2019 Old is Gold
Prakashante Metro Agasthi
Kochin Carnival Nazeer
March Randam Vyazham Bhargavan
Vattamesha Sammelanam
A for Apple
Mattoru Kadavil Kuliscene 2 Kochettan Short film debut
2020 Panavally Pandavas Himself Debut as writer and director
2021 Velukkakka Oppu Ka OTT Release
Kalakaran OTT Release
2022 Pothum Thala
2023 Kenkemam Rajendran
Dance Party [8]
2024 Blue Star Bullet Babu Tamil film[9] Credited as Pashanam Shaji
Once Upon a Time in Kochi [10]
Kudumbasthreeyum Kunjadum [11]
Swargathile Katturumbu [12]

Television

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  • Bhima Jewels Comedy Festival
  • Comedy Stars season 1
  • Comedy Super Nights 2
  • Cinemaa Chirima
  • Pashanam Shaji Speaking
  • Kaliyil Alpam Kaaryam
  • Tamaar Pataar
  • Comedy Stars Plus
  • Onam Upperi
  • Nalla Best Family
  • Bigg Boss (Malayalam season 2)
  • Priyapetta Nattukare
  • Comedy stars season 2
  • Star Singer season 8
  • Boeing Boeing (Web Series)
  • Sura Chettai (Web Series)
  • Funs Upon a time
  • Wife is beautiful

Playback singer

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Year Song Film Co-singers Language Music Notes
2016 "Manja Kattil Pokande" Aadupuliyattam Jayaram, Ramesh Pisharody Malayalam Ratheesh Vegha

Awards

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Year Organization Category Movie Language Place Notes
2015 Ramu Karyat Film Awards Best Comedian Multiple movies Malayalam Kerala
2016 Asianet Comedy Awards Most Promising Actor Multiple movies Malayalam Kerala

References

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  1. ^ "Saju Navodaya". Filmibeat.
  2. ^ Mangalam.com
  3. ^ "Manam Pole Mangalyam: Pashanam Shaji & Reshmi". jaihind.tv. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  4. ^ "ഷാജി ഈ വീടിന്റെ ഐശ്വര്യം". ManoramaOnline.
  5. ^ Anand, Shilpa Nair (20 February 2020). "Malayalam film and media celebrities come together to form a league, Celebrity Cricket Fraternity to play cricket". The Hindu. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Bigg Boss Malayalam 2 update, Day 7: Saju Navodaya becomes the new captain". The Times of India. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  7. ^ "Karinkannan movie review". Times of India. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Dhama Dhama song from Dance Party ft Shine Tom Chacko, Prayaga Martin is out". Cinema Express. 8 November 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Blue Star Movie Review : A well-cast sports drama that's simplified, straightforward and splendid". The Times of India.
  10. ^ Features, C. E. (29 May 2024). "Once Upon A Time In Kochi Trailer: A police procedural centered around drug abuse in Kochi". Cinema Express. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  11. ^ "It's A Wrap For Dhyan Sreenivasan-starrer Kudumba Sthreeyum Kunjadum". News18. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  12. ^ Features, C. E. (16 June 2024). "Dhyan Sreenivasan's Swargathile Katturumbu gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
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