Paralysed Kerala film actor makes a comeback in UAE

Jagathy Sreekumar, who has been considered an integral part of Malayalam film industry, is making his first public appearance in Dubai on Friday, since his major accident in 2012. - Supplied photo

For the first time after a fateful road accident that kept him wheelchair-bound for five years, popular Kerala actor Jagathy Sreekumar is all set to appear before the public at a musical programme in Dubai on Friday.
As part of its annual musical event Ishal Laila, Kairali TV, one of the leading news channels in Kerala, is bringing the ace comedian, Sreekumar Achary popularly known as Jagathy Sreekumar, to Dubai to honour him for making the Guinness World record of acting in more than 1,000 movies. 
The Malayalee community has been anxiously waiting for the return of the ace comedian to the silver screen ever since he was severely crippled in a major road accident in March 2012.
The actor, fondly called Jagathy, will arrive in Dubai today with his wife, children and a caretaker. Jagathy will be honoured by another award-winning popular actor Mammootty, also the chairman of Kairali TV in the presence of other film actors and dignitaries.
Over the last four decades, the phenomenal actor was an integral part of Malayalam film industry and popular movies for decades.  One year before his accident, while 70 Malayalam movies were released, Jagathy starred in 24 of them. As he was completely bedridden, he has been away from the Malayalam film industry since the ill-fated crash happened in the Malappuram district of Kerala.
Even now, he has to use a wheelchair and a caretaker, according to sources close to Jagathy.
While many movies planned with Jagathy were either cancelled or directors had to find alternatives, the Malayalee community has been praying and keenly awaiting his return to the silver screen. His public appearance in Dubai could be signaling his return to the active world of films and entertainment.
"He has never travelled out of Kerala after the tragedy and this is the first major international event in which Jagathy Sreekumar is participating. We have tried to get him as a special guest last year too but doctors advised that he was unable to fly. This year doctors told he can travel. He is also interested in attending the programme," S. Ramesh, general manager, Kairali TV, said. 
A few months ago, the veteran actor, however, made a rare public appearance at the International Film Festival Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. Before the accident, Jagathy was a regular visitor to the UAE where he still has a huge fan followers. Friday's star-studded evening will have the presence of actors Nivin Pauley and Ramya Nambeeshan, comedian Ramesh Pisharady and singer-performer Rimi Tomy. Last year, Kamal Hassan was one of the chief guests at the annual musical programme.
Meet the actor
> When: On April 7, 6.30pm at Zabeel Park, Dubai
> Event: Ishal Laila, Jagathy Sreekumar will receive award
sathish@khaleejtimes.com