While entering the movie industry is a dream for many, it could be pure serendipity for others. There are multitudes of folks who find that acting is their one true calling while they might be pursuing an antipodal career choice. There are also folks who proved their mettle in the mini screen as anchors before striking gold with the big screen. Today, we look at some of the popular actors who had stints as anchors before grabbing leading or full-fledged roles:
Jayasurya
Before making his mark in the Malayalam movie industry, Jayasurya was a mimicry artist who also made his appearance on TV shows. More than two decades ago, he was the anchor of the comedy show Jagathy vs. Jagathy on Kairali TV and Fun Day Jackpot on ACV. It was around this time that he was seen in a couple of movies in uncredited roles. If you’d remember, in one of our earlier posts, we’d already touched upon this tenure of his.
Nazriya Nazim
There would be very few Malayalis who wouldn’t remember Nazriya Nazim as an anchor on the hit reality show, Munch Star Singer. However, her stint with television began much before her Star Singer days, with the show Punyamasathiloode, a quiz contest on City Channel followed by Shruthilayam, a music show on Kairali TV.
Nayanthara
Way before stardom struck, Nayanthara was spotted anchoring the TV show, Chamayam, a daily show that dished out beauty tips to its viewers on Kairali TV. Little did anyone guess that this simple, young girl would later steal our hearts through the Jayaram starrer Manassinakkare. Obviously, since then, she has taken leaps in her acting career and has clinched the glorious title of a superstar!
Asif Ali
Would you believe me if I tell you that this actor who portrays vivid characters and delivers dialogues with ease was once camera conscious? Asif Ali said yes to a VJ career in Yes India Vision to overcome his fear of cameras. It was also at the point that he tried his luck at the auditions of Ritu. The rest is, of course, history! He is definitely one of those anchors who turned out to be an underrated talent in Mollywood.
Parvathy Thiruvothu
Ever tuned into Kiran TV on a lazy evening after school (we are talking about 2006-2007 here)? Then there’s a high chance that you might have chanced upon Tamil Hits, which was anchored by none other than the uber-talented Parvathy Thiruvothu. Soon after Tamil hits, she was also spotted as the anchor of the Kairali TV song-on-demand show, Hello Good Evening. No wonder she looked so familiar to a lot of people when she made her debut in movies!
Remya Nambeesan
Now that you have recalled the show Hello Good Evening, Remya Nambeesan might also have crossed your mind. Cuz she was also one of the hosts of the show. In fact, a lot of you would have had nostu when the actress posted a throwback picture of her anchoring the show on Insta some time back.
Also read: Munshi: Ever-rolling Nostalgia
Rajisha Vijayan
Rajisha was a popular face on television in the previous decade and had captured quite some audience hearts by hosting shows on Surya Music and Mazhavil Manorama. While she kickstarted her career as a TV anchor, not everyone knows that she is a journalist by qualification. Her successful anchoring stint was a launchpad for her acting career, which materialized with her taking on the lead role in the movie Anuraga Karikkin Vellam.
Manjima Mohan
If you were an avid Surya TV viewer in the early 2000s, you would surely remember being greeted sweetly by “Hello, welcome to Hi Kids!” after you are done gulping down your glass of Bournvita (or whatever it is that you preferred as a kid). Yes, the greeter we are talking about is none other than Manjima Mohan, who was the kutty host of the kuttykalude song-on-demand program Hi Kids. She was probably no more than 10 back then and is also undoubtedly the youngest anchor in this listicle.
PS Not sure why, but to this day I can vividly recall Manjima ending every call saying “Appo ee kuttyk vendi aa paattu vech kodukkam”.
Nyla Usha
If you grew up in the UAE, chances are that you’ve woken up to Nyla Usha’s energetic voice on the radio station, Hit 96.7’s breakfast show more times than you have to your mom’s voice. While a lot of you know her as actress Nyla, a lot of us connect with her as RJ Nyla. But yes, even before she ventured into a radio jockey career, she had tested the waters as an anchor in TV shows such as Global Greetings which used to be aired on Asianet Global (anyone remembers this channel, which later morphed into Asianet News?)
These are some of the well-known anchors turned actors. Which anchor turned actor would you add to this list?
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