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Jayan

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Jayan
File:Jayan1.jpg
Born
Krishnan Nair

Kollam, Travancore, Indian Empire
Occupation(s)Actor in Malayalam cinema, sailor in Indian Navy
Years active1972-1980

Krishnan Nair (Malayalam: കൃഷ്ണന്‍ നായര്‍, July 25, 1939 - November 16, 1980), better known by his stage name Jayan (Malayalam: ജയന്‍), was an Indian actor who worked in Malayalam cinema.

Jayan was an Indian Navy soldier for 16 years before he came to cinema. He rose to fame as an actor in a very short time, appearing as an action hero in numerous films during the 1970s. He died at the age of 41, at the peak of his popularity, as a result of an accident while filming a dangerous stunt that involved climbing aboard a flying helicopter from a moving motorcycle. The stunt ended in disaster when the helicopter crashed, crushing the actor on the ground.

The screen persona of Jayan made a comeback in the 2000s, in a movement led by mimicry artists and fueled by a renewed fascination with his style of dialog delivery and his machismo image.[1][2] Cartoons, emails, and mimicry programs on stage and on television portraying Jayan as a comic superhero became widespread; unique quotes attributed to the action star, depicting superhuman strength (known as Jayan quotes, similar to Chuck Norris facts), also became widespread and remain popular to this day.[3][4] Even though proponents of these claimed they were honoring Jayan's memories there were also criticisms about this parodying of the actor years after his death.[citation needed]

Biography

Early life

Jayan was born in Kollam, Travancore as the first child of his father Thevalli, Kottaram Veetil Madhavan Pillai and mother Bharathiyamma. His birthname was Krishnan Nair. He had a younger brother named Soman Nair. Jayan's formal education ended at 10th grade at Kollam Govt. Boys High School; he then joined the Indian Navy. The first accolades for his acting skills reached him when he was a naval sailor. He used to act in plays at various functions like anniversaries. The encouragement from his friends and colleagues in the Navy gave him the desire to act in films. Jayan served in the Indian Navy for 16 years, culminating in the rank of Master CPO. Then he left the Indian Navy to try his hand at various civilian jobs, working as an insurance agent and sales representative in Cochin for a few years. It was a chance meeting with veteran Malayalam character actor Jose Prakash's son, who owned a dry cleaning shop in Cochin, that landed him a role in the movie Shapa Moksham.

Career

File:Actorhorsewash.jpg
Jayan oiling a horse in a famous scene in Sharapanjaram

The name "Jayan" was given to him by veteran Malayalam actor Jose Prakash. Jayan started his career by acting in minor roles. His first film was Shapa Moksham (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 Sharapanjaram (1979, 'Bed of Arrows'). 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.[5] He is generally regarded as the first action hero in Malayalam cinema.[6][7]

File:Jayanliftingelephant.jpg
A scene from the movie "Ariyappedatha rahasyam"
File:Machojayan.jpg
Scenes from three movies

Movies exploited Jayan's masculine physique and he appeared barechested in numerous scenes. His onscreen attire (most famously his Elvis bellbottoms), his masculine image and the nature of his death transformed him into a legend in Kerala. Jayan was also known for his unique method of dialogue delivery and he has contributed many memorable lines to Malayalam film history.

In the late 1990s and early 21st century, there was a resurgence of Jayan's screen personna in Kerala and his old movie scenes came to prominence again. This owed mostly to a movement initiated by popular mimicry stage artists in the State, whose imitations of the star's mannerisms caught on; soon they became commonplace in college stage events, television programs and mimicry stage shows. However it has been pointed out that many popular grotesquely imitated screen dialogues of Jayan are not actually Jayan's but that of dubbing artist Aleppey Ashraf who dubbed for for many of his characters after his death.

Death

On 16 November 1980, Jayan was killed in an accident on the set of the movie Kolilakkam. The climax scene of the movie was being filmed in Sholavaram, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Jayan always performed his own stunts, and for this movie he was performing a particularly dangerous stunt that involved him boarding an airborne helicopter from a moving motorbike. The shot was accepted by the director in the first take; altogether three shots were filmed.

File:Jayanlast.jpg

According to the film's production executive, Jayan insisted on yet another re-take as he was not satisfied with its perfection. During the re-take, the helicopter lost its balance and crashed along with Jayan, who later succumbed to his injuries.

Some conspiracy theories emerged regarding the circumstances of his death, primarily because the pilot and his co-star Balan K. Nair, who was in the helicopter, survived with minor or no injuries. Nevertheless, it has been confirmed as a genuine accident.

Today Jayan is best remembered for his trademark colourful attire, his risky stunts, his machismo mannerisms and his unique speaking style.

Madhu, a famous actor prominent in the 60s, once stated in an interview, "Jayan will forever be young and alive. No one can ever visualise him as an old man."

Return to the silver screen

In December 2010, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his death, it was announced that a new movie with Jayan in the lead is in the works, using advanced animation and graphics technologies.[8] The movie, titled Avatharam (Incarnation), will be directed by Vijeesh Mani and scripted by T. A. Shahid.[9] The project is inspired by the star's posthumous popularity as an action legend. It was announced that the actor would be brought back to the big screen by twelve top technicians from Hollywood.[10]

Selected filmography

  • Komaram (1982)
  • Ariyappedatha Rahasyam (1981) .... Raghu
  • Kolilakkam (1981)
  • Gargjanam (1981) .... (Jayan completed part and then remade with Rajnikanth)
  • Sanchari (1981)....Bargavan
  • Thadavara (1981) .... Seema
  • Aakramanam (1981)
  • Panchapandavar (1981)
  • Abhinayam (1981) .... Raghu
  • Agnisaram (1981)
  • Aakkramanam (1981)
  • Love in Singapore (1980) .... Suresh
  • Angaadi (1980) .... Babu
  • Anthappuram (1980) .... Ambika
  • Benz Vasu (1980)
  • Ethikkara Pakky (1980)
  • Idi Muzhakkam (1980)
  • Kaanatha Valayam (1980)
  • Karimpana (1980) .... Muthan
  • Kari Puranda Jeevithangal (1980)
  • Manushya Mrugam (1980) .... Babu/Gopi
  • Meen (1980)
  • Deepam (1980)
  • Chaakara (1980) .... Sethumadhavan
  • Moorkhan (1980) .... Vinod
  • Naayattu (1980)
  • Ethikkara Pakki (1980) .... Adimakannu
  • Paallattu Kunjikannan (1980)
  • Theenalangal (1980)
  • Chandrahasam (1980)
  • Sakthi (1980) .... Vijayan/Rajan Varma
  • Aavesham (1979) .... Gopi/Ravi
  • Angakkuri (1979)
  • Anupallavai (1979)
  • Avano Atho Avalo (1979)
  • Chuvanna Chirakukal (1979)
  • Kazhukan (1979) .... Velu
  • Venalil Oru Mazha (1979)
  • Irumpazhikal (1979) .... Jayabharathi
  • Sarppam (1979)
  • Ivide Kattinu Sugandam (1979)
  • Mamangam (1979) .... Moosa
  • Mochanam (1979)
  • Poottatha Pootukkal (1979) Tamil
  • Prabhu (1979)
  • Puthiya Velicham (1979) .... Venu
  • Vellayani Paramu (1979)
  • Sharapanjaram (1979) .... Rajasekharan
  • Sayoojyam (1979)
  • Oru Ragam Pala Thalam (1979)
  • Pennorumbettal (1979)
  • Sanndhyaragam (1979)
  • Pushyaragam (1979)
  • Sigharangal (1979)
  • Kadathanattu Makkam (1978)
  • Mukkuvane Snehicha Bhootham (1978)
  • 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)
  • Mattoru Karnan (1978)
  • Soothrakkari (1978)
  • Thacholy Ambu (1978)
  • Yeatho Oru Swapnam (1978)
  • Kanyaka (1978)
  • Kalpavruksham (1978)
  • Asthamayam (1978)
  • Pattalam Janaki (1978)
  • Adimakkachavadam (1978)
  • Sathrusamharam (1978)
  • Midukkipponnamma (1978)
  • Madanolsavam (1978) .... Dr. Jayakumar
  • Kannappanunni (1977)
  • Angikaram (1977)
  • Acharam Ammini Osaram Omana (1977) .... Sudhakaran
  • Itha Ivide Vare (1977)
  • Ormakal Marikkumo? (1977)
  • Randu Lokam (1977)
  • Rathi Manmathan (1977)
  • Rajaparampara (1977)
  • Anjali (1977)
  • Aval Viswasthayayirunnu (1977)
  • Abhinivesam (1977)
  • Kavilamma (1977)
  • Sukradasa (1977)
  • Ivanente Priyaputhran (1977)
  • Aparajitha (1977)
  • Adyapadham (1977)
  • Tholakkan Enikku Manassilla (1977)
  • Amrudha Vahini (1976)
  • Ashirvadam (1976)
  • Panchami (1976)
  • Yavvanam Daham (1976)
  • Mallanum Mathevanum (1976)
  • Agnipushpam (1976)
  • Ullasayathra (1975)
  • Shapa Moksham (1974)

Further reading

References

  1. ^ here Typical Jayan dialogue
  2. ^ here Immortal Action Hero Jayan in his typical role.
  3. ^ Those unmistakable Jayan dialogues
  4. ^ Jayan jokes and quotes
  5. ^ Jayan The Immortal Superstar
  6. ^ Nostalgia- Jayan Memories
  7. ^ Metromatinee.com- Action Hero Jayan
  8. ^ Mathrubhumi-Avatharam to have Jayan in the lead
  9. ^ The Hindu Report-Return of a matinee Idol
  10. ^ The Hindu Report-Action star Jayan to reappear in movie

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