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Harisree Ashokan

Harisree Ashokan 2007
Harisree Ashokan 2007 Image: Wikimedia Commons. Anees Kodiyathur / CC BY 3.0

Overview

Harisree Ashokan (born 6 April 1964) is an Indian actor and director who works predominantly in Malayalam cinema. He is best known for his comedy roles and has appeared in more than 200 Malayalam films over the course of his career.

Key Facts

Name Harisree Ashokan
Born 6 April 1964
Occupation Actor, director
Industry Malayalam cinema
Known for Comedy roles
Films More than 200 Malayalam films
Early association Harisree mimicry troupe; Kalabhavan

Background

Ashokan began his career as a mimicry artist with the troupe Harisree, from which he derived his stage prefix. He subsequently worked with Kalabhavan, the Kochi-based institution that has been a notable training ground for several Malayalam film artists, particularly comedians.

Career

Transitioning from the stage to the screen, Ashokan established himself as a comedy actor in Malayalam films. His filmography spans more than 200 titles, in which he has typically been cast in supporting and comic roles. In addition to acting, he has also worked as a director.

Significance

Ashokan is part of a generation of Malayalam comic actors whose careers emerged through the mimicry stage circuit of Kerala in the 1980s and 1990s, a pipeline that fed many performers into mainstream Malayalam cinema through troupes such as Harisree and institutions such as Kalabhavan.

References