Biju Sopanam – Television actor of Uppum Mulakum fame

Biju Sopanam is a film and television actor from Malayalam entertainment industry. He is also a stage actor who has appeared in Sanskrit plays in lead roles before moving to film and television roles. He shot to fame playing Balagopalan Thampi alias Balu in the popular comedy sitcom Uppum Mulakum, and his Thiruvananthapuram dialect for the show became an instant hit. He excels in comic roles. He has also played supporting roles in Malayalam films such as Rajamanikyam and C/O Saira Bhanu.  

Biju Sopanam is a native of Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram, and currently he is settled in Nettayam of the capital city. Biju joined theatre in 1995 and has been associated with Kavalam Narayana Panicker’s theatre troupe ‘Sopanam’ for 2 decades. He got opportunity to play lead roles in many of this troupe. His association with Panicker helped him to earn a few opportunities in television, and after struggling for many years with bit roles in cinema, the comedy sitcom Uppum Mulakum gave him a major break he was waiting for.

Biju Sopanam – Some interesting facts

1. He added ‘Sopanam’ tag to his name as a mark of respect to the theater troupe which polished him as an actor.

2. As a film actor, Rajamanikyam is his first credited role. He played the brief role of a person who kills the minister during a procession. But this role could gain him only less significant roles later.

3. In C/O Saira Bhanu, he played the heartwarming role of Advocate Subbu, an innocent person who helps Manju Warrior to fight the case. It’s his first major role on big screen.

4. Associated with Kavalam Narayana Panicker’s theatre troupe for many years he was initially recommended by actor Nedumudi Venu. He also learnt Sanskrit to be a part of the troupe, and later played lead roles in many Sanskrit plays.

5. After Suraj Venjaramoodu, Biju Sopanam is only the second artist to express Thiruvananthapuram dialect with ease and realistic, and it also helped him to establish in the industry.

6. He is married to Lakshmi and has one daughter.