Biju Sopanam


Biju Sopanam is an Indian television, theatre, and film actor. He is best known for portraying the character of Balachandran Thampi in the popular sitcom Uppum Mulakum, broadcast on Flowers TV. He made his movie debut by acting in a small role in the hit movie Rajamanikyam in the year 2005. He is a renowned Sanskrit Drama Artist and have performed in many stages across the country. He was trained under Kavalam Narayana Panicker, the iconic Indian dramatist.

Early life

He was born in Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram. His younger brother, Binoj Kulathoor, is also a television artist.

Career

He started his career as a theatre artist at the age of 20 in Kavalam Narayana Panicker's Sopanam Theatre Group. Along with the group he travelled across India participating in National Theatre Festival and other prestigious programmes. He wanted to get into movies through this but he later revealed that after joining the group he become totally focused on drama and subsequently he left his dreams of becoming a film actor. From 2005 to 2013 he acted in three different films portraying short roles. Then in 2015 he was cast as Benjamin Brunou, a college principal in the television series Back Benchers, being telecasted in Amrita TV. On seeing him in this programme he was called up by director R.Unnikrishnan for his upcoming sitcom being made for Flowers TV. This programme is considered as his breakthrough. He was cast as Balachandran Thampi, a carefree, loving father and husband in the sitcom which was named as Uppum Mulakum. As he had to spend more time on the sets of Uppum Mulakum, his guru Kavalam Narayana Panicker asked him to stop it. But after being impressed by his work in it, he was allowed to do it, but in return he was asked to never leave theatre, which he agreed and now leads the group after his guru's death in 2016, trying to work there through his busy schedule. He skyrocketed to fame for his work in the programme drawing praise from various media organisations. Then he was called for a supporting role as Advocate Subbu in C/O Saira Banu.

Controversies

In December 2024, Biju Sopanam was named in a sexual assault complaint filed by a female actress associated with the television series Uppum Mulakum. The complaint alleged that Biju Sopanam sexually assaulted the actress during the shoot, while his co-actor S. P. Sreekumar was accused of intimidating her to prevent her from speaking out. The case was initially registered with the Infopark Police and later transferred to the Thrikkakara Police for further investigation. A Special Investigation Team was formed to investigate the matter. Following the complaint, both actors exited the show pending the outcome of the investigation.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005Rajamanikyam
2006Bhargavacharitham Moonam Khandam
2010NallavanMan in lockup
2011Veeraputhran
2013Black Butterfly
2014Otta Mandaram
2017C/O Saira BanuAdvocate Subbu
2017Lechmi
2018Kuttanpillayude SivarathriSuneesh
2018Thattumpurath Achuthan
2019Janaadhipan
2019Pathinettam PadiShalamon Abraham Palakkal
2019Love Action DramaDinesh's Uncle
2019AdhyarathriSatheesh
2019KamalaRavi
2019Gauthamante RadhamShibu Asan
2021Djibouti
2022Priyan OttathilanuChekkuttan
2022Upacharapoorvam Gunda JayanSugathan
2022AllyManoharan
2022Mukundan Unni AssociatesDr. Sebatti
2023Laika
2023Madhura Manohara MohamJose
2023Kunjamminis HospitalFr. Ainickal Joy
2023PendulumTea Shop Owner
2023Rani
2024Iyer In Arabia
2024Varshangalkku SheshamFilm producer
2024Big Ben
2024Idiyan Chandhu
2024Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam

Awards

AwardYearCategoryProgrammeResult
Kerala State Television Award2017Best ComedianUppum MulakumWon
Flowers Comedy Awards2016Best Star PairUppum MulakumWon
Flowers TV Award2017Best ActorUppum MulakumWon