Sanju Sivram is one of the talented young actors making his mark in Malayalam cinema. He debuted with the film Nee Ko Njaan Cha and has since been part of several successful projects. Recently, Sanju opened up about his journey, dreams, and the challenges he faced in pursuing a career in cinema, which has sparked interest among fans.
From a young age, cinema was Sanju’s dream. Even after completing his MBA and securing a job at a bank, his passion for acting persisted. One day, he made a bold decision to quit his bank job and chase his cinematic aspirations.
“I debuted with Nee Ko Njaan Cha, and since then, I’ve been part of several films, including 1983, Monsoon Mangoes, Achayans, Rorschach, and the OTT-released crime series 1000 Babies, where I played the character Bibin. But my journey was far from easy,” Sanju shared.
Early Days and First Steps into Acting
Sanju completed his degree in Kolkata and later pursued an MBA in Bangalore. While in Kolkata, he met Ashwathy, who would later become his wife. It was during this time that director Blessy held auditions for Calcutta News. Sanju auditioned and was selected but couldn’t take up the role due to scheduling conflicts.
After completing his MBA, Sanju got a job at Tata in Thiruvananthapuram. While working there, a friend informed him about an opportunity in cinema. “I got a chance to appear as a junior artist in a scene with Jagathy Sreekumar. I was thrilled but later learned on set that the director had replaced me with someone else. I was heartbroken, but Jagathy sir reassured me, saying, ‘This is how cinema works. Don’t worry.’”
Later, Sanju transferred to Pathanamthitta and then joined Dhanalakshmi Bank in Ernakulam, motivated by the convenience of pursuing cinema from there and supporting his wife’s career as a Hindustani singer.
The Turning Point
Sanju’s first notable opportunity came through dubbing for a Bengali film shot in Kolkata. He then worked with director Naranipuzha Shanavas, whom he met at a short film festival, marking a significant step toward his cinematic goals. Eventually, through Jeo Baby, Sanju learned about auditions for Nee Ko Njaan Cha.
“After completing the shoot, I realized I couldn’t balance both acting and my job. That’s when I decided to resign. To this day, I don’t know what gave me the courage to take that step, especially since Ashwathy was pregnant at the time. But I believed we would survive somehow, and my family didn’t oppose my decision.”
The Struggles After Quitting
Though Nee Ko Njaan Cha gained attention, the films that followed didn’t bring significant breakthroughs. Sanju admitted, “I had no steady income after quitting my job, and cinema opportunities weren’t pouring in either. Financial challenges were many, but I didn’t let my family see my tension. They often asked how I stayed so calm. My savings from my job days helped during tough times, and just when I thought I might fail, new projects came my way.”
The Present and Beyond
Sanju’s recent role in 1000 Babies has been well-received, and his candid revelations about his struggles and perseverance have struck a chord with fans. Despite the ups and downs, his unwavering belief in himself and his dreams continues to inspire.
