He neither has six pack abs nor the features that all Malayalis expect in a star. However, from the beginning of his film career, he has been shining amidst all these stars. Chemban Vinod Jose is an actor who makes film-goers animatedly discuss the characters he portrays well after the film is over. In all his films, beginning with Lijo Jose Pellissery’s debut film, Nayakan, the actor has made his roles unforgettable. It has been six years since his career started on the ascendant and the actor is in absolute bliss.
Chemban is audacious in heart like in his art! The physiotherapist, who debuted in Lijo’s film ‘only because his friend Lijo asked him to’, is a quick-witted, humble man in real life. In a candid talk, the actor spells out his thoughts on his life and his films.
“I was a simple person and happy with the successful business I had in Bengaluru. Destiny has changed my life in an unusual way and acting is my profession now and I have become very serious about it,” he says with his typical smile.
With no godfather and no real background in acting, Chemban Vinod has created a niche for himself in M-town. He says it is all because he enjoys being in front of the arclights. “Acting comes easily to me, and I thrive in it. But I have seen many of my co-workers being very nervous in front of the camera. It may be because I am an easy-going person, and therefore more relaxed.”
Though he had acted in four films prior to Lijo’s Amen, Chemban reveals that it was the ‘Pailikkutty’ in it that brought him confidence. Then followed ‘Dimitri’ in Iyobinte Pustakam, ‘Martin’ in Sapthamashree Thaskaraha, ‘Tube Light Mani’ in Tamaar Padaar and the list goes on. “I used to have a very casual approach about my roles earlier but once people started appreciating and noticing me, I feel that I have more responsibility and need to bring perfection to every role I do. I am not someone who does a lot of homework. Once I am in the set, I will get into the character and also will have a good conversation with my director on the mannerisms of my character. It is a very interesting process,” he explains.
Talking about his favourite characters, Chemban says that he felt really happy when a member of the cabin crew of a flight came to him and asked if he was ‘Tube Light Mani’ in Tamar Padaar and that she really liked the character. “I felt extremely thrilled and at the same time humbled. Though it was a film that failed to reach the audience as much as it deserved, the characters in the film are liked by Malayalis. ‘Tube Light Mani’ was appreciated widely in the industry too.”
Chemban’s critically acclaimed character ‘Dimithri’ from Iyobinte... filled his inbox with requests not to act such roles anymore. “One of my friends, an enthusiastic film-lover, after watching the film told me that he feels like slapping me when he sees me. I smiled and thanked him for actually appreciating the actor in me.”
The versatile actor believes that his childhood in Angamally and his life after that in Bengaluru have really helped him in refining his acting skills. “I had a life of a simple villager and a city guy and I have references for all the characters that come to me. I think my experience in these two places and the people around have helped me prepare my Bible of acting,” he says.
The actor will be next seen in Lijo’s gangster comedy, Double Barrel where he will be seen as a yankee style rapper and in Anil Radhakrishnan Menon’s Lord Livingstone 7000 Kandi.
