Biju Sopanam

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Biju Sopanam
Biju Sopanam in September 2022.png
Biju in September 2022
Born (1970-01-04) 4 January 1970 (age 54)
NationalityIndian
Occupation Actor
Years active1995–present
Known for Uppum Mulakum (Sitcom)
SpouseLakshmi

Biju Sopanam (born 4 January 1970) is an Indian television, theatre, and film actor. He is best known for portraying the character of Balachandran Thampi in the popular sitcom Uppum Mulakum , broadcast on Flowers TV. [1] He made his movie debut by acting in a small role in the hit movie Rajamanikyam in the year 2005. He is a renowned Sanskrit Drama Artist and have performed in many stages across the country. He was trained under Kavalam Narayana Panicker, the iconic Indian dramatist.

Contents

Early life

He was born in Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram. His younger brother, Binoj Kulathoor, is also a television artist. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Career

He started his career as a theatre artist at the age of 20 in Kavalam Narayana Panicker's Sopanam Theatre Group. [8] [9] [10] [11] Along with the group he travelled across India participating in National Theatre Festival(Bharat Rang Mahotsav) and other prestigious programmes. He wanted to get into movies through this but he later revealed that after joining the group he become totally focused on drama and subsequently he left his dreams of becoming a film actor. From 2005 to 2013 he acted in three different films portraying short roles. Then in 2015 he was cast as Benjamin Brunou, a college principal in the television series Back Benchers, being telecasted in Amrita TV. On seeing him in this programme he was called up by director R.Unnikrishnan for his upcoming sitcom being made for Flowers TV. This programme is considered as his breakthrough. He was cast as Balachandran Thampi, a carefree, loving father and husband in the sitcom which was named as Uppum Mulakum. As he had to spend more time on the sets of Uppum Mulakum, his guru Kavalam Narayana Panicker asked him to stop it. But after being impressed by his work in it, he was allowed to do it, but in return he was asked to never leave theatre, which he agreed and now leads the group after his guru's death in 2016, trying to work there through his busy schedule. He skyrocketed to fame for his work in the programme drawing praise from various media organisations. Then he was called for a supporting role as Advocate Subbu in C/O Saira Banu.

Filmography

Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleNotes
2005 Rajamanikyam [12]
2006 Bhargavacharitham Moonam Khandam [12]
2010 Nallavan Man in lockup
2011Veeraputhran
2013 Black Butterfly
2017 C/O Saira Banu Advocate Subbu [12]
Lechmi
2018 Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri Suneesh [13]
Thattumpurath Achuthan
2019 Janaadhipan
Pathinettam Padi Shalamon Abraham Palakkal
Love Action Drama Dinesh's Uncle
Adhyarathri Satheesh
Kamala Ravi
Gauthamante Radham Shibu Asan
2021 Djibouti [14]
2022 Priyan Ottathilanu Chekkuttan [15]
2022 Upacharapoorvam Gunda Jayan Sugathan
Mukundan Unni Associates Dr. Sebatti
2023Laika [16]
Madhura Manohara Moham Jose
Kunjamminis Hospital Fr. Ainickal Joy
Pendulum Tea Shop Owner
Rani [17]
2024Iyer in Arabia [18]
Big Ben [19]
Idiyan Chandhu [20]

Television

YearProgrammeRoleChannelNotesRef.
2015Back BenchersBenjamin Brunou, College Principal Amrita TV
2015-2021 Uppum Mulakum Kulathara Shoolamkudi Veetil Balachandran Thampi (Balu) Flowers TV [21]
2018KrithyamShivanna YouTube Short film
2020-2021Double DeckerParamada Veetil BaluFlowers TVReprising his role from Uppum Mulakum
2021Pappanum PadminiyumPappanYouTubeWeb series
2021Eruvum PuliyumBaluZee KeralamTelefilm [22]
2021KattanOmanakuttan (Omana)YouTubeWeb series
2022 Erivum Puliyum Freddy Zee Keralam Reboot of Uppum Mulakum [23]
2022–2024 Uppum Mulakum Season 2Kulathara Shoolamkudi Veetil Balachandran Thampi (Balu) Flowers TV [24]
2024-present Uppum Mulakum Season 3Kulathara Shoolamkudi Veetil Balachandran Thampi (Balu) Flowers TV [25]

Awards

AwardYearCategoryProgrammeResultRef.
Kerala State Television Award2017Best Comedian Uppum Mulakum Won [26]
Flowers Comedy Awards2016Best Star PairWon
Flowers TV Award2017Best ActorWon [27]

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