“Our ultimate superstar”: Father’s Day conversation with Indrans’ children

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: “This role must go to Indrans sir. He is an actor who has completely amazed me.”

When Tamil superstar Suriya insisted on casting the Malayalam actor for a pivotal role in the mega-hit movie Karuppu, it wasn't just a casting choice; it was an acknowledgement of raw, undeniable talent. Playing Mattancherry Sukumaran, Indrans turned in a powerhouse performance as a grieving father, capturing the hearts of audiences across South India.

Yet, away from the spotlight and the box-office records, his most cherished audience resides at home. On this Father’s Day, his children, Mahija and Mahendran, look at his towering cinematic legacy with a simple, grounded pride: “Isn't Dad our ultimate superstar?”

From tailoring shop to silver screen

The journey to becoming one of Malayalam cinema’s most respected character actors was neither swift nor kind. Long before he was 'Indrans,' he was Surendran, a tailor from Thiruvananthapuram who had to leave school after the fourth class.

His children grew up watching this struggle firsthand. They saw a lean, soft-spoken man enter the film industry from the absolute periphery—first as a makeup assistant, then as a costume designer, and eventually taking on minor acting roles. In the early days, the industry frequently used his slender frame as a punchline, masking blatant body-shaming under the guise of humour.

Through it all, Indrans never complained. He put his head down, worked, and shielded his family from the financial anxieties of a precarious career.

Time, however, has a way of balancing the scales. The tailor who quietly endured industry caricatures eventually clinched national recognition for his career-defining performance in Home. Today, with Karuppu, he stands at the absolute pinnacle of his craft.

Family-centric creative process

Despite the pan-Indian acclaim, fame hasn't altered the domestic routine in the Indrans household. Every script that comes his way is treated as a family affair. Whether it is a minor role or a major project, he doesn't sign on the dotted line without consulting his wife, Shanthakumari, and their children.

When director RJ Balaji approached him with the script for Karuppu, the routine remained unchanged.

"Even though I listen to the script first, I always seek my family’s perspective on whether I can pull it off," Indrans says. "They watch a lot of cinema. They have a sharp understanding of the medium and can easily tell me if a similar character has been done before by someone else."

With Karuppu finding massive success in its Telugu dubbed version as well, opportunities are now pouring in from other industries. Mahendran shares that his father initially felt anxious about navigating unfamiliar languages.

"We had to reassure him that language wouldn't be a barrier for his talent," Mahendran says, offering a glimpse into their home life. "Before he starts a project, he reads the script and performs the scenes right in front of us. Watching him transform in our living room is a moment of sheer amazement and pride for us."

Definition of success

An actor’s filmography rarely spans such dizzying versatility. From the vintage comedy of CID Unnikrishnan to the profound, melancholic depths of Aalorukkam and Veyilmarangal, and from the chilling serial killer in Anjaam Pathira to the relatable patriarch in Home, Indrans has conquered every genre.

Yet, flashing that trademark, gentle smile that has remained unchanged through decades of hardship and success, the actor dismisses any notions of grandiosity.

"I am just an ordinary human being," Indrans reflects quietly. "If I can live my life in a way that makes my children truly say I was a good father—that is the only ultimate blessing I seek."