| Saju Navodaya | |
| Birth Name: | P. T. Saju |
| Birth Date: | 1973 10, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Udayamperoor, Ernakulam district, Kerala, India |
| Other Names: | Pashanam Shaji |
| Years Active: | 2014 – present |
| Spouse: | Resmi |
Pappanikunnel Thankappan Saju (born 14 October 1973), better known by his stage name Saju Navodaya, is an Indian actor and comedian who works in Malayalam films, television and stage. He began his career as a comedian on stage shows and later forayed into television and into films.[1] In January 2020, he contested in the second season of Malayalam reality TV show Bigg Boss.
Saju Navodaya was born sixth among nine children to Pappanikunnel Thankappan and Manka at Udayamperoor, Kochi in Kerala, India.[2] He did his schooling at SNDP HSS, Udayamperoor. He was a regular participant in almost all the competitions in school youth festivals. Saju has directed many dramas which won prizes in Ernakulam district level youth festivals in late 1990s. He studied at Sree Rama Varma Government Sanskrit College, Thrippunithura before starting a dance institute in Udayamperoor to teach classical and cinematic dance.[3] He is also an ardent follower of sports and enjoys playing Cricket and Association football. He has organized and managed sports teams, sports clubs and sports events, such as cricket and football tournaments. Saju Navodaya is married to Resmi, a trained classical dancer.
Saju began his career as an amateur mimicry artist performing in stage shows for some local clubs and festivals in his hometown. A professional mimicry artist Manoj Guinness gave him an opportunity in his professional mimicry troupe in Kochi named Cochin Navodaya. Later on, Saju's name was changed to Saju Navodaya after associating with the troupe.[4] He was known for imitating actors that made him a regular performer during stage shows presented by his troupe in India and abroad.
As of 2020, Saju is the Captain of the Mimicry Artists Association Fighter (MAA Fighters), a team in the Celebrity Cricket Fraternity (CCF), a Cricket league that includes film actors, directors, assistant directors, musicians, producers, choreographers, television actors, mimicry artistes, and media professionals.[5] In January 2020, he entered as a contestant in the second season of the 15 week-long Malayalam reality television show Bigg Boss (Malayalam season 2), broadcast on Asianet and hosted by actor Mohanlal. He was elected as the Captain of the Bigg Boss house four times, in week 2, 6, 7, and 8.[6]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 | Thief | |
| Vellimoonga | Kochappy | ||
| Little Superman | |||
| 2015 | Mariyam Mukku | Nazerath | |
| Ivan Maryadaraman | Traveler in train | ||
| Bhaskar The Rascal | Vikraman | ||
| Oru Second Class Yathra | Biju | ||
| Thinkal Muthal Velli Vare | Jayadevan's Helper | ||
| Acha Dhin | Police Officer | ||
| Jamna Pyari | Sreenivasan | ||
| Utopiayile Rajavu | |||
| Life of Josutty | Rameshan | ||
| Pathemari | Narayanan's Roommate | ||
| Amar Akbar Anthony | Rejimon | ||
| 2016 | Kattumakkan | ||
| Hallelooya | Uthaman | ||
| Aadupuliyattam | Saju | ||
| Marubhoomiyile Aana | Kamal's asst | ||
| Thoppil Joppan | Eldho | ||
| 2017 | Achayans | ||
| 2018 | Kalyanam | Panchayath Member | |
| Ladoo | Itoope | ||
| Karinkannan | Das | Leading role[7] | |
| 2019 | Old is Gold | ||
| Prakashante Metro | Agasthi | ||
| Kochin Carnival | Nazeer | ||
| March Randam Vyazham | Bhargavan | ||
| Vattamesha Sammelanam | |||
| A for Apple | |||
| Mattoru Kadavil Kuliscene 2 | Kochettan | Short film debut | |
| 2020 | Panavally Pandavas | Himself | Debut as writer and director |
| 2021 | Velukkakka Oppu Ka | OTT Release | |
| Kalakaran | OTT Release | ||
| 2022 | Pothum Thala | ||
| 2023 | Kenkemam | Rajendran | |
| Dance Party | [8] | ||
| 2024 | Blue Star | Bullet Babu | Tamil film[9] Credited as Pashanam Shaji |
| Once Upon a Time in Kochi | [10] | ||
| Kudumbasthreeyum Kunjadum | [11] | ||
| Swargathile Katturumbu | [12] | ||
| Year | Organization | Category | Movie | Language | Place | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Ramu Karyat Film Awards | Best Comedian | Multiple movies | ||||
| 2016 | Asianet Comedy Awards | Most Promising Actor | Multiple movies |