A heartthrob of the female audience, Kunchacko Boban broke his 'chocolate boy' image and is now popular for his mature roles.
Published Nov 02, 2023 | 12:56 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 02, 2023 | 1:49 PM
Malayalam actor Kunchacko Boban turned 47 on Thursday, 2 November. (kunchacks/Instagram)
The comeback of actors isn’t new in the Malayalam film industry. But the comeback of Kunchacko Boban has been phenomenal as he played some interesting roles in the second phase of his career.
The actor delivered many super hits in the first phase. Indeed, his debut movie Aniyathipravu (1997) was a blockbuster.
Popular for his dancing skills, Kunchacko Boban enjoyed a huge female fanbase during the initial years of his career. But, owing to his “chocolate boy” image, he was offered the roles of a college student or brother of a hero or second hero.
Though some of these roles were a hit, the actor wisely broke the image after a sabbatical.
Kunchacko Boban debuted in Mollywood with ‘Aniyathipravu’. (Supplied)
After Aniyathipravu, Kunchacko Boban played the lead in his next films — Nakshathrathaarattu (1998), Mayilpeelikavu (1998), and Niram (1999). He became the heartthrob of youth by turning into a romantic hero.
However, the actor also tried different genres — Sathyan Anthikad’s Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka (2001) and Kalyanaraman (2002), both comedy films. He played a serious character in Harikrishnans (1998) and played key roles in Priyam (2000), Sathyam Sivam Sundaram (2000), and Dosth (2001).
But some of his films — Mazhavillu (1998), Swapnam Kondu Thulabharam (2003), Chandamama (1999), Puthooram Puthri Unniyaarcha (2002), Snehithan (2002), Ingane oru Nilaapakahi (2000), Mullavalliyum Thenmaavum (2002), and Jalolsavam (2002) — were box office duds. After these failures, he ventured into the real estate business.
After his marriage in 2005, he took a break from films for about three years.
Kunchako Boban with his family. (Supplied)
In 2009, Kunchacko Boban appeared again in VK Prakash’s dark comedy movie Gulumal where he played an important role along with Jayasurya.
The movie was a success, and he delivered hits with Elsamma Enna Aankutty (2010), and Mummy and Me (2010). By this time, the actor was being recognised for his mature roles.
Traffic (2011) was an important movie for Kunchacko. For the first time in his career, he played a negative role. The film gave a green signal to the actor to take up challenging roles.
He was later seen as an antagonist in Seniors (2010) and Spanish Masala (2011).
Kunchacko was also offered varied roles in films such as Ordinary (2011), Three Kings (2013), Sevenes (2011), and Pullipuliyum Aatinkuttiyum (2013). All these turned him into a bankable actor.
Kunchacko Boban has been evolving as an actor over the years.
Though he is the son of filmmaker Boban Kunchacko and comes from a family (Udaya Pictures) that produced many films in Malayalam, Kunchacko Boban didn’t want to be an actor. It was director Fazil who convinced him to act in his movie Aniyathipravu.
After his comeback, the actor’s transformation is more evident in the role he played in Mahesh Narayanan’s Take Off (2017). The movie based on the rescue mission of Indian nurses stuck in Iraq won accolades in many film festivals.
Kunchacko with his actor-friends Manju Warrier and Ramesh Pisharody. (KunchackoBoban/FB)
Kunchacko Boban also received a Special Jury Mention for his performance in Nna Thaan Case Kodu (2022) at the 53rd Kerala State Film Awards.
His transformation into Kozhummal Rajeev in the film was appreciated by critics and audiences alike. The way he spoke the Kasaragod dialect, which is different from usual Malayalam, was also liked by movie buffs.
This is followed by other interesting movies like Virus (2019), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020), Nayattu (2021), and Pada (2022).
Ariyippu (2022), which premiered via Netflix, is another critically acclaimed film of Kunchacko Boban. Directed by Mahesh Narayanan, it was a raw flick and told the story of a husband and wife (played by Kunchacko Boban and Divya Prabha) who had to face a difficult situation in their life.
Kunchacko Boban’s recent release Chaaver wasn’t a box office hit, but was discussed in social media as it spoke about the political murders.
The actor is currently busy with his upcoming film Grr.., an untitled film by Amal Neerad. He will also appear in a key role in director Ratheesh’s Sureshanteyum Sumalatha Yudeyum Hridaya Hariyaya Pranayakadha.
Happy 47th birthday, Kunchacko Boban!
