From Air Force to film: Alleppey Ashraf shares untold stories of actor Janardhanan

Janardhanan, a comedy film actor beloved by Malayalis, embarked on his acting journey through villainous roles. He led a life that mirrors a cinematic narrative. Actor and director Alleppey Ashraf, a close friend of Janardhanan, said that Janardhanan is a generous man who has made significant sacrifices for his family. Ashraf shared these insights on his YouTube channel.

Ashraf recalls, "I met Janardhanan on a film set; he has a unique voice and is very handsome. Our friendship has remained strong for 45 years. He had many friends in Madras and always embraced life." After resigning from his position in the Air Force, Janardhanan visited a bar in Kollam, seeking out SK Nair, the bar's owner and a well-known film producer. This meeting marked a turning point.

Janardhanan expressed his aspirations of becoming an actor to SK Nair and subsequently joined the production team for the film 'Chembarathi,' produced by Nair. Roja Ramani, the film's heroine, was later cast in 'Pani Theeratha Veedu' by the renowned director Sethu Madhavan. Janardhanan and Sethu Madhavan formed a close bond, paving Janardhanan's way into acting. Initially, he faced challenges in getting good roles, but his career gained momentum with the arrival of director I. V. Sasi.

Later, he also produced films. A good food enthusiast, he enjoys cooking and would often prepare delicious meals on shooting locations whenever the opportunity arose. "He transitioned from villainous roles to comedic ones with great success. He is an actor who has no enemies in the film industry. His life became turbulent after the death of his wife. He also settled the debts of crores of rupees incurred by his children without any complaint," said Ashraf.