Stepped in when he was unavailable, says Kunchacko Boban’s dupe about doubling for the actor

Sunilraj Edapal, known for working as a dupe for Kunchacko Boban, has revealed that several scenes credited to the actor in the film ‘Sureshanteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hrudayahariyaya Pranayakadha’ were actually performed by him. Sunilraj said he stepped in because Kunchacko Boban was unable to attend certain shoots due to his busy schedule.

Popularly known as “Junior Kunchacko Boban” at stage shows and events, Sunilraj first came into the spotlight for his striking impersonations of the actor. He says the constant question people asked him — “What did you ever gain by imitating him?” — is what pushed him to reveal the truth now. Along with his note, he shared photos of himself dressed as the character originally portrayed by Kunchacko Boban.

“I shouldn’t have revealed this, but I had no other choice. People keep asking, ‘What did you gain by portraying him?’ In one film, I got the chance to perform a few portions because he was busy. He was the one who suggested me for the film,” Sunilraj wrote.

After his statement went viral, Sunilraj clarified that Kunchacko Boban had done nothing wrong. He said he only wanted to highlight how supportive the actor has been to him and called him a genuinely kind person who helps others whenever he can.

‘Sureshanteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hrudayahariyaya Pranayakadha’ is a spin-off of Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval’s ‘Nna Thaan Case Kodu’. Its protagonist is an extension of Sureshan, the character played by Rajesh Madhavan in ‘Nna Thaan Case Kodu’. The heroine, Sumalatha, also reprises her role from the original film. Kunchacko Boban appears in a guest role, and Sunilraj says he performed in place of the actor for that character during certain sequences.

A mimicry artist since childhood, Sunilraj is known for his uncanny resemblance to Kunchacko Boban in both voice and expressions. It is said that on days when the actor could not make it to the shoot, Sunilraj stepped in to complete the scenes. For Sunilraj Edapal, who has long been known for bringing creativity to the art of impersonation, this opportunity stands as a meaningful recognition of his talent.