SPOOF MASTER
(I have done this interview six months back, and it was published in a fortnightly newspaper published from Navi Mumbai. - VIMAL)
SURESH MENON is the ‘Joseph Grimaldi’ of Hindi entertainment industry, who cannot stop himself from making people laugh. It is a matter of minutes for him to metamorphose into another personality - be it Kris Srikkanth or Ram Gopal Varma. A rendezvous with the Kerala boy, who completed scores of movies and TV shows and is still going strong.
(I have done this interview six months back, and it was published in a fortnightly newspaper published from Navi Mumbai. - VIMAL)
SURESH MENON is the ‘Joseph Grimaldi’ of Hindi entertainment industry, who cannot stop himself from making people laugh. It is a matter of minutes for him to metamorphose into another personality - be it Kris Srikkanth or Ram Gopal Varma. A rendezvous with the Kerala boy, who completed scores of movies and TV shows and is still going strong.
He is the master impersonator of Mumbai's entertainment industry, the reigning 'Spoof Master' who moves from one caricature to another with the ease of an acrobat. When we met Suresh Menon in Chetan Studios, Goregaon for an interview, he was in the shoot of 'Comedy Show Ha, Ha, Ha, a Star One show directed by Sasank Shah and enacted by a team of talented youngsters like Ranvir Shourie, Vinay Patak, Purvi Joshi and Kunal. There he was Anjaan Botliwala, a sorcerer quack with one eye in the client's future and the other in his bulging wallet. In the Sahara Filmy show 'Kaun Banega Champu?', He appears in more than ten disguises. In a new show named 'Haff Hour, Laff Hour' in ZOOM channel, Suresh Menon pairs with his old accomplice Saajid Khan to wreck a laugh riot. Once he is closeted in the change room with his make-up man, even his director cannot predict in which form he will evolve. It can be Kris Srikkanth, Simi Grewaal or the legendary Pandey Pillai. His versatility landed him in numerous TV shows and soon the ultimate destination welcomed him- movies. Starting from Kabhi Na Kabhi, he starred in movies like Aksar, Deewane Hue Paagal, Shaadi No. 1, Bach Ke Rahna Re Baaba, Badhai Ho Badhai, Asoka, Doli Saja Ke Rakhna, Dil To Paagal Hai, Chalte Chalte, Phir Hera Bheri, Fanaa and the just released David Dhawan movie 'Partner'. He can be seen in Ahmed Khan's yet to be released 'Fool and Final' and Murali Nagavalli's new film presents him in a nice cameo.
While talking to Suresh Menon, one is struck by the fact that he still retains a teenage irreverence, the trait which enabled him years ago to fix an appointment with Yash Chopra, masquerading as an advertisement agency executive only to turn up and present his own portfolio. “With no industry connection, it was the only way to meet the bigwigs.”- He winked his eyes in mischief.
It was in 1993, while he was a 'Happy Kumar' working with the ‘Times of India’ group that Suresh was struck by the film bug. “It was always there,” said Suresh. “I still remember the Ganpathi Utsavs in my childhood, which I cherished year-long because of the prospect of changing clothes and making faces. Now, by the grace of God, every day is a Ganpathy Utsav for me.” When he left his high-profile job, his relatives and friends were flaggerbasted. “They felt scary seeing me leave the shores of certainty to start a journey to the God-forsaken land of lights and action.”
The decision was followed by a six-year-long stint as a wannabe. The drought ended in 1999 with the success of TV shows like 'Mein Bhi Detective' and 'Sorry Meri Lorry' followed by Star Giraftaar, ETC Supermard, ETC Haseena, Baaps of Bollywood and Meri Jaan Hindustaan. No TV lover can forget 'Pandey Pillai', Suresh's Woody Allen-like self-caricature, which poked fun of his South Indian origin.
Pandey Pillai made a break from the usual portrayals of South Indians. “The pedestrian way of representation was a loud and impatient creature donning a 'mundu' or 'veshti'. Pandey Pillai changed that perception, bringing me rare accolades from Malyalee fans.”- He told this reporter.
Tryst with Big B
Suresh Menon interviewed Amitabh Bachan for ETC, dressed up as Panday Pillai. “I was scared to look into Big B's eyes. Therefore, I landed in a self-depreciating avatar, which worked. On se-eing me, Bac-chan broke into laughter as-king, “Are, Aap Veerappan ban gaye kya?”
Happy, not gay
Suresh's im-personations included Simi Grewaal, which he discontinued after one or two shoots. Asked whether his family protested against his cross-dressing, he said, “In Mumbai's entertainment industry, if a man dresses up as a woman, questions are raised about his sexual preferences. But, I am fortunate because my wife (a successful music video director) being an industry insider understands that my work needs such eccentric efforts.
One day, i'll be a Monkey King
Super-star Shah Rukh Khan once opined that he regards himself as a monkey entertaining the public. Commenting on that opinion, Suresh Menon said: “If SRK feels that he is a monkey, I am a worm. We are nothing but caged animals, hopping around and making faces, trying to entertain others. As long as people enjoy my monkeying, I will continue it. May be one day, i'll be the 'Monkey King'.
Baap of Numerology
If there is a common ground among Mumbai's entertainment people, it is their belief in numerology. You can ignore Chotta Shakeel, not Sanjay Jhumaani. Once Suresh Menon's wife consulted Jhumaani and returned with a new name for him. “Change your husband’s name to Suresh N. Menon”, the numerologist had told her. The victim felt amused, “I am indeed Suresh N. Menon. My father's name is Narayanan Kutty and 'N' denotes him.” There ended an unsuccessful disfiguration effort.
Acting, What else?
“All through my acting career, my father supported me”, said Suresh. “After I got busy with films and TV shows, my father proudly told his friend that my son is an actor. “Acting is all right. But, what job does he do?”- The friend's curiosity got the better of him.
According to Suresh, such snubs help him to plant himself firmly on the ground. “Whenever I feel like I am a star, a trivializing comment from a relative or family friend follows, flattening me.”- He said.
If you can marry, You can take any risk
According to Suresh Menon, success comes from taking risks and being confident in our actions.
“I believe that marriage is the greatest risk in one's life. If you can marry, you can take any risk.”- He said before excusing himself and rushed to face the camera.
While talking to Suresh Menon, one is struck by the fact that he still retains a teenage irreverence, the trait which enabled him years ago to fix an appointment with Yash Chopra, masquerading as an advertisement agency executive only to turn up and present his own portfolio. “With no industry connection, it was the only way to meet the bigwigs.”- He winked his eyes in mischief.
It was in 1993, while he was a 'Happy Kumar' working with the ‘Times of India’ group that Suresh was struck by the film bug. “It was always there,” said Suresh. “I still remember the Ganpathi Utsavs in my childhood, which I cherished year-long because of the prospect of changing clothes and making faces. Now, by the grace of God, every day is a Ganpathy Utsav for me.” When he left his high-profile job, his relatives and friends were flaggerbasted. “They felt scary seeing me leave the shores of certainty to start a journey to the God-forsaken land of lights and action.”
The decision was followed by a six-year-long stint as a wannabe. The drought ended in 1999 with the success of TV shows like 'Mein Bhi Detective' and 'Sorry Meri Lorry' followed by Star Giraftaar, ETC Supermard, ETC Haseena, Baaps of Bollywood and Meri Jaan Hindustaan. No TV lover can forget 'Pandey Pillai', Suresh's Woody Allen-like self-caricature, which poked fun of his South Indian origin.
Pandey Pillai made a break from the usual portrayals of South Indians. “The pedestrian way of representation was a loud and impatient creature donning a 'mundu' or 'veshti'. Pandey Pillai changed that perception, bringing me rare accolades from Malyalee fans.”- He told this reporter.
Tryst with Big B
Suresh Menon interviewed Amitabh Bachan for ETC, dressed up as Panday Pillai. “I was scared to look into Big B's eyes. Therefore, I landed in a self-depreciating avatar, which worked. On se-eing me, Bac-chan broke into laughter as-king, “Are, Aap Veerappan ban gaye kya?”
Happy, not gay
Suresh's im-personations included Simi Grewaal, which he discontinued after one or two shoots. Asked whether his family protested against his cross-dressing, he said, “In Mumbai's entertainment industry, if a man dresses up as a woman, questions are raised about his sexual preferences. But, I am fortunate because my wife (a successful music video director) being an industry insider understands that my work needs such eccentric efforts.
One day, i'll be a Monkey King
Super-star Shah Rukh Khan once opined that he regards himself as a monkey entertaining the public. Commenting on that opinion, Suresh Menon said: “If SRK feels that he is a monkey, I am a worm. We are nothing but caged animals, hopping around and making faces, trying to entertain others. As long as people enjoy my monkeying, I will continue it. May be one day, i'll be the 'Monkey King'.
Baap of Numerology
If there is a common ground among Mumbai's entertainment people, it is their belief in numerology. You can ignore Chotta Shakeel, not Sanjay Jhumaani. Once Suresh Menon's wife consulted Jhumaani and returned with a new name for him. “Change your husband’s name to Suresh N. Menon”, the numerologist had told her. The victim felt amused, “I am indeed Suresh N. Menon. My father's name is Narayanan Kutty and 'N' denotes him.” There ended an unsuccessful disfiguration effort.
Acting, What else?
“All through my acting career, my father supported me”, said Suresh. “After I got busy with films and TV shows, my father proudly told his friend that my son is an actor. “Acting is all right. But, what job does he do?”- The friend's curiosity got the better of him.
According to Suresh, such snubs help him to plant himself firmly on the ground. “Whenever I feel like I am a star, a trivializing comment from a relative or family friend follows, flattening me.”- He said.
If you can marry, You can take any risk
According to Suresh Menon, success comes from taking risks and being confident in our actions.
“I believe that marriage is the greatest risk in one's life. If you can marry, you can take any risk.”- He said before excusing himself and rushed to face the camera.
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