The biggest award is when others mimic your voice: Janardhanan at Mazhavil Entertainment Awards

Veteran actor Janardhanan was moved to tears on stage, overwhelmed by the warmth of the honour bestowed upon him by Malayalam cinema. The occasion was the Mazhavil Manorama Awards night, where he was presented with the Timeless Entertainer Award.

By his side were actors Mohanlal and Jayaram, his close friends through decades of companionship and countless films together. Both joined him in reminiscing about the bond they have shared on and off screen.

The evening turned lighter when Kottayam Nazeer and Ramesh Pisharody mimicked Janardhanan’s iconic voice, sending the audience into fits of laughter. Wiping his tears, Janardhanan said the greatest recognition an actor could receive was to have their voice imitated by others.

The veteran also recalled his long association with Malayala Manorama. Since his student days in Kottayam, he said, he had maintained a close bond with the newspaper. He fondly remembered watching plays and concerts at the Mammen Mappillai Hall and added that every interaction with Manorama staff had always been warm and pleasant, making the organisation feel special to him.

Mohanlal shared that Janardhanan had recently played ‘Chittappan’ in his latest film ‘Hridayapoorvam’, underlining the deep personal and professional bond they share. Jayaram, meanwhile, lightened the mood with a humorous anecdote from a Dubai trip 25 years ago, when Janardhanan’s suitcase was stolen. Left with no other option, he appeared in a “shocking” outfit of a safari suit coat, mundu and shoes.

Adding to the tributes, Ramesh Pisharody remarked that every mimicry artist in Kerala earns their certificate by learning to imitate Janardhanan’s deep, powerful voice.

Mohanlal too had his moment of nostalgia when he received the Best Actor award from veteran filmmaker Sibi Malayil. Expressing his happiness, Lal said that his association with Sibi stretched back decades. He recalled that he had once received only two marks out of a hundred from the director during the audition for ‘Manjil Virinja Pookkal’, only to later win two National Awards under his guidance.

The actor also remembered nearly withdrawing from ‘Kamaladalam’ because he had grown a beard for ‘Rajashilpi’. It was Sibi Malayil and writer Lohithadas, Lal said, who instilled in him the confidence to take up the role. “They reminded me that even a suspended dance teacher could very well have a beard,” he laughed, adding that he was glad he trusted their vision.