 Being
vertically challenged has not dampened actor Ajayan's enthusiasm
or confidence.Less than three feet tall, Ajayan, popularly
known as 'Unda Pakru' (Short Man), shot to fame with his fine
performance in the Malayalam blockbuster 'Albutha Dweep', which
was also shot in Tamil as
Arputha
Theevu, and is now on the lookout for more meaty roles to
enhance his stature.
"No point in ruing what fate has dealt you. One has to look
ahead," said 30-year-old Ajayan, whose role in the 2005 film
directed by Vinayan won him the Kerala State Film Special Jury
Award. The film was inspired by the famous book "Gulliver's
Travels".
In 'Albutha Dweep' (Wonder Island), Ajayan played Prince
Gajendran, heir apparent of the kingdom of Vamanapuri in the
island. The film tells the story of a strange island where the
men are dwarves and the women beautiful and of normal size due
to a curse.
Ajayan held his own against such seasoned
thespians as Jagathy Sreekumar and Jagadeesh and popular young
actor Prithwiraj.
"Seeing 360 persons like me while shooting
for 'Albutha Dweep' was an unforgettable experience. I realised
that I was not alone and that there were so many people like me
in Kerala," Ajayan said, his voice breaking.
Vinayan was effusive while praising Ajayan.
"What an incredible person. He has no inferiority complex. He is
dedicated and confidence personified," the director said.
Ajayan started his career in the Malayalam
film 'Ambaliammavan', playing veteran actor Jagathy Sreekumar's
son. "In that film, my name was 'Unda Pakru', a name that has
stuck. In fact, I am addressed by this name...Few know my real
name," he said. "That film was made in 1984 when I was studying
in the fourth standard."
The turning point, as Ajayan puts it, was the
hit 'Joker', which starred Dileep and dealt with the trials and
tribulations of circus artistes. He was able to play a character
very much like himself.
"Once I became part of the team, there was no
turning back." Ajayan also had roles in 'Meesa Madhavan' and 'Kunhi
Koonan' that was remade in Tamil with Surya in the lead. These
movies set the cash registers ringing.
 When
he isn't shooting for movies, Ajayan is busy doing TV shows. He
formed a popular team with co-artiste 'Tiny' Tom in 'Savarigirigiri',
a 30-minute fun-filled series that ran for some time on a
Malayalam channel.
But his first turn as a hero in a full-length
movie was in 'Albutha Dweep', which became a huge hit. The film,
released in 2005, was dubbed in Tamil and Telugu this year. "It
is doing well," he said, adding some additions had been made to
the Tamil version to draw in the audience.
"I am eternally grateful to director Vinayan
sir for casting me. He is a director willing to try new themes,
a new cast. He has also given me a good role in his latest
Malayalam movie 'Athisayan', a science-fiction film," Ajayan
said.
He is now doing two TV programmes, one in
Malayalam titled 'Jollywood Junction' and another in Tamil
called 'Jollywood Express'. (Agencies)
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