K.N. Jagannatha Varma popularly known as Jagannatha Varma has played multi-faceted roles in his real life and reel life. He was born on 1 May 1939. In real life, he is an actor, police officer, kathakali artist and recently at the age of 74, he gave his first performance playing the musical instrument Chenda, fulfilling his lifelong ambition. In reel life, he is famous for his roles as a police officer, politician, judge, and as a priest. He started learning Kathakali at the age of 11 from Pallipuram Gopalan Nair Asan. In 1963, he joined the Kerala police after which he couldn’t continue with the art form Kathakali, only to reenter the scene in 1990, and then in 2005. He retired from the Police force as the Superintendent of Police (S.P).
He began his film journey in 1978 with Mattoly, and since then has donned several supporting actor roles in more than 500 films. His much-noted performances were in movies like Parinayam, Mathilukal,
Aaram Thamburan
, Lelam, Vietnam Colony, New Delhi, Oru CBI Kurippu, and
Nair Saab
to name a few.
He is also a television actor, his most popular one being Manasi aired on Doordarshan. Jagannatha Varma is married to Santha Varma. He has two children
Manu Varma
and Priya. His son is also a popular television and film actor. His son-in-law Viji Thambi is an acclaimed film director.