Suresh Gopi

Suresh Gopi made his debut as a child artist in 1965 by playing a small role in Odayil Ninnu. Later he made his debut as an adult in 1986 with an uncredited role in Niramulla Raavukal. He gained attention through the minor role of a prospective groom in T. P. Balagopalan M. A. (1986). Suresh Gopi went on to play few antagonistic and numerous supporting roles throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was noted for his villain role in Irupatham Noottandu (1987). It was the highest grossing Malayalam movie of that time. He had a major supporting role as Harry in Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988), which was also the highest grossing film at the time. Gopi's comic role as Sub Inspector Minnal Prathapan in Manu Uncle (1988) has over the years attained a cult status.[7][8] His portrayal of Dr. Narendran in Padmarajan's 1990 film Innale (1990) was critically acclaimed and is considered by fans and critics to be one of the best performances of his career.[9] Gopi also gained lot of appraisal for his portrayal of Aromal Chekavar in 1989 classic Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha. He played another memorable cameo comic role as Christopher Luke, a professional killer in Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam (1989). His other notable movies during the late 1980s include Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar, New Delhi (1987), Moonnam Mura, 1921 (1988), Varnam, Douthyam, Nair Saab (1989). His notable films during the early 1990s includes In Harihar Nagar and Thoovalsparsham both released in 1990.

After acting in more than 80 movies, Suresh Gopi finally got a breakthrough by playing the lead role in Shaji Kailas's Thalastaanam (1992), which was written by Renji Panicker.[10][6] Suresh Gopi established himself as a lead actor in Malayalam cinema through Ekalavyan (1993). This crime thriller was also written by Renji Panicker and directed by Shaji Kailas. Ekalavyan broke many records at the box office and successfully completed 150 days in theaters.[11] Shaji-Renji combination films turned Suresh Gopi into an overnight star in 1990s especially through police and army roles. In 1993 itself, he played the lead role in Mafia, another Shaji-Renji crime thriller which was very successful at box office. The same year, he played the role of Nakulan alongside Mohanlal and Shobhana in Fazil's psychological thriller Manichitrathazhu, which is considered one of the best Malayalam movies ever made.[12] He played the role of a NSG commando in Kashmeeram (1994) which was a commercial hit. It is probably the film Commissioner (1994), which helped Suresh Gopi to gain a super-star status in Malayalam Cinema.[13] He played the role of Bharath Chandran I.P.S in this another Shaji-Renji crime thriller, which is treated as a cult classic film.[14] He played the role of a RAW officer in Highway (1995) which ran for more than 100 days in theatres.

Suresh Gopi's high budget film Yuvathurki (1996) failed to create expected results at box office. The same year, he appeared in a different avatar by playing the role of a wildlife photographer in Rajaputran. It became one of the highest grossing Malayalam movies in 1996.[15]

One of his popular and career best character Anakkattil Chackochi came out through Lelam in 1997. Scripted by Renji panicker and directed by Joshiy, it was one of the highest-grossing movies of the year.[16] The role of Kannan Perumalayan in Jayaraj's Kaliyattam (1997) won him the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.[17][6][18] His other notable movies in 1997 were Janathipathyam and Guru. In Guru, he played a supporting role. Suresh Gopi's played a lead role alongside Jayaram in the comedy drama Summer in Bethlehem (1998). He played the character Dennis and received wide appreciation from the critics. It was also the third highest-grossing movie in 1998. His other notable movies in 1998 were Thalolam and Pranayavarnangal.

Suresh Gopi's action thriller film Pathram (1999) directed by Joshiy was the highest grossing Malayalam movie in 1999.[19] The film, which ran over 275 days in theatres is also considered by many fans to be one of the best in his career. The same year he starred in another Joshiy action thriller Vazhunnor which was also a commercial hit. In 1999, two of his popular crime investigation thrillers Crime File and F. I. R came out. Both films were commercially successful.[20]

In 2000, Suresh Gopi starred in Mark Antony and Cover Story, an action film and a crime thriller. He played a lead role, with comic elements, in the comedy drama Thenkashippattanam (2000) alongside Lal. The film was one of the highest grossers at the box office and ran for more than 275 days in theatres.[21] Suresh Gopi played the lead role in Rajasenan's horror film Meghasandesham (2001). His other notable movies in 2001 are the comedy drama Sundara Purushan and investigation thriller Nariman. In 2003, he appeared in a lead role alongside Kunchako Boban in Rajasenan's family drama Swapnam Kondu Thulabharam. In 2005, he did the lead role in Renji Panicker's Bharathchandran I.P.S, a sequel to the 1994 film Commissioner. The film was a major hit at the box office.[22] His performance is Makalkku (2005) was critically acclaimed.

Suresh Gopi's fanbase slowly started to diminish during the mid-2000s with many of his movies released in 2006 becoming a failure at the box office.[23] This includes films such as Lanka, Rashtram, Pathaaka, Ashwaroodan, Bada Dosth and Smart City.[24] However, his legal thriller Chinthamani Kolacase directed by Shaji Kailas was a blockbuster at the box office in 2006.[25] Suresh Gopi played the lead role of a psychotic lawyer, who enforces the law in his style.[26]

Most of his movies released after Chinthamani Kolacase were failures at the box office. It includes movies such as Detective, Paranju Theeratha Visheshangal, Black Cat Kichamani MBA and Time all of which released in 2007. The same year he had a special appearance in the science fiction film Bharathan Effect. His only commercially successful film in 2007 was the crime investigation thriller Nadiya Kollappetta Rathri. In 2008, Suresh Gopi did a lead role in the multi-starrer blockbuster Twenty:20. In 2009, he was praised for his role as Ramesh Menon in the anthology film Kerala Cafe in the segment Lalitham Hiranmayam.

In 2010, he played the role of a father seeking revenge upon those who raped his daughter in Janakan which earned him appreciation.[27] In 2011, he appeared in the multi-starrer film Christian Brothers. The same year, Suresh Gopi acted in the film Melvilasom which received wide critical acclaim upon its release.[28] Suresh Gopi reunited with Shaji Kailas and Renji Panicker in 2012 through The King & the Commissioner. In the film, which is a crossover of Commissioner (1994) and The King (1995), Suresh Gopi reprised his role as Bharathchandran I.P.S along with Mammooty reprising his role as Joseph Alex from The King. The film, mostly panned by the critics was commercially successful.[29] He was praised for his role as Dr. Vijay Nambiar in Apothecary (2014). He was nominated for the Best Actor award at the Filmfare Awards South for his performance in the movie.[30] Suresh Gopi played the villain role in the Tamil film action thriller film I (2015). His role as Dr. Vasudevan in the movie was acclaimed.[31] My God (2015) was his last film before going to a 4-year hiatus from acting.

In March 2019, he made a comeback announcement in acting by joining Vijay Antony starrer Tamil film Thamilarasan. The film is expected to release in late 2021 after getting delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic in India.[32] Suresh Gopi made his comeback in Malayalam cinema by playing a pivotal role in Varane Avashyamund in 2020, after a five year long hiatus. The movie also saw the reunion of Suresh Gopi and Shobana after a span of 15 years.[33] The movie was a major success at box office and was critically acclaimed. In June 2020, Tomichan Mulakuppadam announced to produce Suresh Gopi's 250th movie. The film titled as Ottakkomban would see Suresh Gopi playing the role of Kuruvachan.[34] On 14 February 2021, Suresh Gopi announced that he will be reuniting with director Joshiy for the film titled Paappan.[35] His other upcoming movie is Kaaval, an action thriller directed by Nithin Renji Panicker which would also feature Renji Panicker playing a pivotal role.[36]