{{short description|Indian actor}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}} {{Infobox person | name = Kalabhavan Shajohn | image = | caption = | birth_name = Shaji John | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1975|3|4}} | birth_place = Kottayam, Kerala, India | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|mimicry artist|director|playback singer}} | spouse = Dini | children = 2 | years_active = 1998–present }}
'''Shaji John''', professionally credited by his stage name '''Kalabhavan Shajohn''' is an Indian actor, director and comedian who works primarily in Malayalam cinema.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/celebrity/9846/kalabhavan-shajon/movies.htm|title=Kalabhavan Shajon Movies - actor Kalabhavan Shajon Movies|website=NOWRUNNING|access-date=23 July 2013|archive-date=5 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205204349/http://www.nowrunning.com/celebrity/9846/kalabhavan-shajon/movies.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> He started his career as a mimicry artist in Kalabhavan, Kochi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cochinkalabhavan.com/contribution.html|title=Cochin Kalabhavan|website=cochinkalabhavan.com}}</ref> Making his debut in 1999 as a body double in My Dear Karadi and having made more than 100 appearances, he received a major breakthrough in his career with ''Drishyam'' (2013), in which he played a negative role. He made his directorial debut with ''Brother's Day'' starring Prithviraj Sukumaran.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/270718/holding-a-mirror-to-modern-life.html|title=Holding a mirror to modern life|date=2018-07-27|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2018-10-15|language=en}}</ref> As of 2025, he has starred in more than 150 Malayalam films.
==Personal life==
He was born as Shaji John to E. J. John, a retired ASI and Rejina, a retired nurse, in Varissery, Kottayam, Kerala in India. He studied at St. Mary's College, Manarcaud.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marunadanmalayali.com/cinema/views/story-on-shajon-kalabhavan-20366|title=മണിയുടെ ഒഴിവിൽ കലാഭവനിലെത്തി; മൈഡിയർ കരടിയിൽ ഡ്യൂപ്പായി വെള്ളിത്തിരയിലും; ദൃശ്യത്തിലെ...}}</ref> He has a brother Shibu John who is also a mimicry artist and RJ in Voice of Kerala.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentId=15555675&tabId=5&BV_ID=@@@|title=Manorama Online Latest Malayalam News. Breaking News Events. News Updates from Kerala India}}</ref>
He married Dini on 28 October 2004. The couple has a daughter, Hanna and a son, Yohan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mangalam-varika-18-Feb-2013|url=http://www.mangalamvarika.com/index.php/en/home/index/72/22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130222035725/http://mangalamvarika.com/index.php/en/home/index/72/22|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 February 2013|publisher=mangalamvarika.com|access-date=30 October 2013}}</ref>
==Awards and honours== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Award ! Award Category ! Recipient ! class="unsortable"|Notes |- |rowspan="4"|2013 |Kerala State Film Awards |Special Mention |rowspan="4"|''Drishyam'' | |- |South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) |Best Actor in a Negative Role | |- |Vanitha Film Awards |Best Actor in a Negative Role |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kerala9.com/news-category/news/movie-news/ttk-prestige-vanitha-film-awards-shobhana-prithviraj-win-best-actor-actress-awards|title=TTK Prestige-Vanitha Film Awards: Shobhana, Prithviraj win best actor, actress awards - Kerala9.com|website=kerala9.com|access-date=7 January 2014|archive-date=7 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307082405/http://kerala9.com/news-category/news/movie-news/ttk-prestige-vanitha-film-awards-shobhana-prithviraj-win-best-actor-actress-awards|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- |Asianet Film Awards |Best Actor in a Negative Role | |- |2023 |Kerala Film Critics Association Awards |Best Supporting Actor |''Ithuvare'', ''Aattam'' |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-13 |title=47th Kerala Film Critics Awards 2023: Aattam Adjudged Best Film |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/47th-kerala-film-critics-awards-2023-aattam-adjudged-best-film-8888505.html |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> |- |}
==Filmography== ===As actor=== ====Films==== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1999 || ''My Dear Karadi'' || Rangan / Body Double for Kalabhavan Mani in Bear Costume || |- | rowspan=2 | 2000 || ''Kinnara Thumbikal'' || || |- | ''Kathara'' || || |- | rowspan=2 | 2001 || ''Aparanmar Nagarathil'' || Psychiatrist || |- | ''Ee Parakkum Thalika'' || Traffic Police Officer || |- | rowspan=7 | 2002 || ''Chirikudukka'' || Dr. Shankar || |- | ''Kashillatheyum Jeevikkam'' || Police Officer || |- | ''www.Anukutumbam.com'' || || |- | ''Bamboo Boys'' || SI Jagan || |- | ''Kayamkulam Kanaaran'' || || |- | ''Nammal'' || || |- | ''Akhila'' || Lineman || |- | rowspan=4 | 2003 || ''Thilakkam'' || Pappan || |- | ''CID Moosa'' || Police Constable || |- | ''Sadanandante Samayam'' || || |- | ''Chakram'' || || |- | rowspan=4 | 2004 || ''Thalamelam'' || Sharavanan || |- | ''Runway'' || Paramasivam's friend || |- | ''Rasikan'' || || |- | ''Greetings'' || Traffic Policeman || |- | rowspan="4" | 2005 || ''Kochi Rajavu'' || Car driver || |- | ''Rajamanikyam'' || || |- |''Pandippada'' |Raghavan | |- | ''Chanthupottu'' || || |- | rowspan=4 | 2006 || ''Achanuragatha Veedu'' || || |- | ''Thuruppu Gulan'' || Truck Driver || |- | ''Kisan'' || Kuyilan || |- | ''Pachakuthira'' || || |- | rowspan=2 | 2007 || ''Inspector Garud'' || Police Constable Chacko || |- | ''Khaki'' || Suraj || |- | rowspan=5 | 2008 || ''Annan Thambi'' || A drunkard || |- | ''Magic Lamp'' || || |- | ''Pachamarathanalil'' || Murukan || |- | ''Crazy Gopalan'' || Police Officer || |- | ''Cycle'' || || |- | rowspan=6 | 2009 || ''Hailesa'' || Kuttayi || |- | ''Vellathooval'' || || |- | ''Ee Pattanathil Bhootham'' || Police Constable Sahadevan || |- | ''Duplicate'' || Maikkattu Moose || |- | ''Swantham Lekhakan'' || || |- | ''Shambhu'' || Kumaran || |- | rowspan=8 | 2010 || ''In Ghost House Inn'' || Van Driver || |- | ''Kanmazha Peyyum Munpe'' || Khadar || |- | ''Alexander the Great'' || || |- | ''Paappi Appacha'' || Shashankan's sidekick || |- | ''Karyasthan'' || Aadu Ramu || |- | ''Shikkar'' || || |- | ''Elsamma Enna Aankutty'' || || |- | ''Marykkundoru Kunjaadu'' || Solomon's Friend || |- | rowspan=12 | 2011 || ''Kudumbasree Travels'' || Suman || |- | ''Priyappetta Nattukare'' || Mani || |- | ''Venicile Vyapari'' || Isthiri Lonappan || |- | ''Christian Brothers'' || || |- | ''Swapna Sanchari'' || || |- | ''Lucky Jokers'' || || |- | ''Janapriyan'' || || |- | ''Killadi Raman'' || || |- | ''Dr. Love'' || || |- | ''Ulakam Chuttum Valiban'' || Police constable || |- | ''Maharaja Talkies'' || || |- | ''Aazhakadal'' || Bosco || |- | rowspan=18 | 2012 || ''Kunjaliyan'' || || |- | ''Unnam'' || || |- | ''Masters'' || Driver Santhosh || |- | ''Ee Thirakkinidayil'' || Sadananthan Pattikadu || |- | ''Mayamohini'' || Sisubalan || |- | ''Josettante Hero'' || Chandran || |- | ''Mullamottum Munthiricharum'' || || |- | ''Pulival Pattanam'' || || |- | ''Namukku Parkkan'' || Mohanan || |- | ''Thappana'' || Kochappi ||<ref>{{cite news |last1=Viswanath |first1=Chandrakanth |title=Johnny Antony back with Mammootty in 'Thappana' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2012/Aug/17/johnny-antony-back-with-mammootty-in-thappana-397886.html |access-date=2 April 2024 |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=17 August 2012}}</ref> |- | ''Ustad Hotel'' || Driver || |- | ''Scene Onnu Nammude Veedu'' || || |- | ''MLA Mani: Patham Classum Gusthiyum'' || Neelakandan || |- | ''Bhoopadathil Illatha Oridam'' || || |- | ''Manthrikan'' || Shekharan kutty || |- | ''Mullassery Madhavan Kutty Nemom P. O.'' || || |- | ''My Boss'' || Ali (errand boy) || |- | ''Chapters'' || Bus conductor || |- | rowspan=9 | 2013 || ''Isaac Newton S/O Philipose'' || ASI Singampuli Raju || |- | ''Rebecca Uthup Kizhakkemala'' || || |- | ''72 Model'' || Sub-Inspector S.R. Pavanan || |- | ''Kathaveedu'' || Johny || |- | ''Ladies and Gentleman'' || Mani || |- | ''Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath'' || Kallan Pathrose || |- | ''Sound Thoma'' || Sabu || |- | ''Sringaravelan'' || Vasu (Kannan's friend) || |- | ''Drishyam'' || Constable Sahadevan || |- | rowspan=10 | 2014 || ''Mannar Mathai Speaking 2'' || Babumon || |- | ''Black Forest'' || || |- | ''Praise the Lord'' || Fr. Antony || |- | ''Ring Master'' || Veterinary Doctor Muthu || |- | ''Ulsaha Committee'' || Babumon (Baliyaadu) || |- | ''Garbhasreeman'' || Gopalakrishnan || |- | ''Vaikeetentha Paripadi'' || Sadanandan || Short Film |- | ''Njangalude Veettile Athidhikal'' || Rajan || |- | ''Mylanchi Monchulla Veedu'' || Ismail || |- | ''Cousins'' || Veerappa Naidu Gounder || |- | rowspan=8 | 2015 || ''Bhaskar The Rascal'' || Abdu Razack || |- | ''Rudrasimhasanam'' || Abdullah || |- | ''Compartment'' || || |- | ''High Alert'' || || |- | ''Urumbukal Urangarilla'' || Carlose || |- | ''Amar Akbar Anthony'' || Jadayu Sabu Ambulance Driver || |- | ''Vishwasam Athalle Ellam'' || Franklin || |- | ''Rajamma @ Yahoo'' || R Pavithran Nair || |- | rowspan=3 | 2016 || ''Pavada'' || Eldo || |- | ''Oppam'' || Madhu || |- | ''Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan'' || Director James Antony || |- | rowspan=7 | 2017 || ''Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol'' || Monayi || |- | ''Oru Mexican Aparatha'' || Shiyaz || |- | ''The Great Father'' || Sathyan || |- | ''Adventures of Omanakuttan'' || Vinayak Hegde || |- | ''Ramaleela'' || Thomas Chacko/TC || |- | ''Pareeth Pandari'' || || |- | ''Sherlock Toms'' || Sugunan Master || |- | rowspan=11 | 2018 || ''Kallai FM'' || Abdullah Koya || |- | ''Sakhavinte Priyasakhi'' || || |- | ''Orayiram Kinakkalal'' || Shajahan P. K. || |- | ''Abrahaminte Santhathikal'' || CI Sukumaran || |- | ''Kaithola Chathan'' || || |- | ''Nonsense'' || PT Sir || |- | ''Oru Pazhaya Bomb Kadha'' || SI Rajendran || |- | ''Ottakoru Kaamukan'' || Firoz Khan || |- | ''2.0'' || Telecommunication Minister Vairamoorthy || Tamil film; debut |- | ''Johny Johny Yes Appa'' || Chavaramplakal Jose || |- | ''Thattumpurath Achuthan'' || SI Justin John || |- | rowspan=6 | 2019 || ''Irupathiyonnaam Noottaandu'' || Abusi || |- | ''Lucifer'' || Aloshy Joseph || |- | ''Madhura Raja'' || Peruchazhi Perumal || |- | ''Unda'' || Sam J. Mathen || |- | ''Brother's Day'' || Police officer || Directorial debut<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sudhish |first1=Navamy |title='Brother's Day' review: just another mass entertainer |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/brothers-day-review-just-another-mass-entertainer/article29360288.ece |access-date=2 April 2024 |work=The Hindu |date=7 September 2019}}</ref> |- | ''Ulta'' || Bhairavan Ayyappan || |- | 2020 || ''Shylock'' || Prathap Varma || |- | 2021 || ''Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan'' || Rajendran (Keshu's Brother in Law |- | rowspan="6" | 2022 || ''Meppadiyan'' || Registrar Office Worker || |- |''Night Drive'' |DYSP Cherian Chacko | |- | ''Kaduva'' || SI Dominic Benjamin || |- | ''Jo and Jo'' || Saji, Indhu's father || |- | ''Ini Utharam'' || CI Karunan || |- |''5il Oral Thaskaran'' |Shahjahan | |- | rowspan="6" |2023 |''Theru'' | | |- | ''Santhosham'' || Suresh Kumar ||<ref>{{Cite news |title='Santhosham' trailer: Anu Sithara starrer promises an emotional family entertainer |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/santhosham-trailer-anu-sithara-starrer-promises-an-emotional-family-entertainer/articleshow/97940381.cms |access-date=2023-02-26 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> |- | ''Kaipola'' || Kochu||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-28 |title=Malayalam Film Kaipola To Release On This Date; Watch The Indrans-Starrer's Trailer |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/malayalam-film-kaipolas-trailer-promises-an-emotional-sports-drama-watch-it-here-7406851.html |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> |- | ''Nadhikalil Sundari Yamuna'' || RC || |- | ''Bandra'' || Mirchi ||<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-18 |title='Bandra' teaser: Dileep and Tamannaah Bhatia's captivating chemistry shines in this action drama |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/bandra-teaser-dileep-and-tamannaah-bhatias-captivating-chemistry-shines-in-this-action-drama/articleshow/104520321.cms |access-date=2023-11-02 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> |- | ''Pulli'' || Simon||<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-01-04 |title=Dev Mohan is a convict haunted by his past in his next in 'Pulli' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dev-mohan-is-a-convict-haunted-by-his-past-in-his-next-in-pulli/articleshow/88687856.cms |access-date=2024-07-12 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> |- | rowspan=7 | 2024 || ''Aattam'' || Hari ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=First look poster of Aattam is out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/aug/11/first-look-poster-of-aattam-is-out-46494.html |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Cinema Express |date=11 August 2023 |language=en}}</ref> |- | ''Ithuvare'' || ||<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-04 |title='Ithuvare' teaser: Kalabhavan Shajohn starrer shines a spotlight on environmental concerns and forced evictions |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/ithuvare-teaser-kalabhavan-shajohn-starrer-shines-a-spotlight-on-environmental-concerns-and-forced-evictions/articleshow/104159471.cms |access-date=2024-02-29 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> |- | ''CID Ramachandran Retd. SI'' || Ramachandran ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-15 |title=Kalabhavan Shajohn-starrer Film CID Ramachandran Retd SI New Release Date Out |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/kalabhavan-shajohn-starrer-film-cid-ramachandran-retd-si-new-release-date-out-8891510.html |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> |- | ''Kudumbasthreeyum Kunjadum'' || ||<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-26 |title=Dhyan Sreenivasan's comedy-drama 'Kudumbasthreeyum Kunjadum' gets a release date |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dhyan-sreenivasans-comedy-drama-kudumbasthreeyum-kunjadum-gets-a-release-date/articleshow/110436132.cms |access-date=2024-05-27 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> |- | ''Partners'' || Parthasarathi||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Santhosh |first=Vivek |date=2024-06-12 |title=Dhyan Sreenivasan-starrer Partners gets a release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Jun/12/dhyan-sreenivasan-starrer-partners-gets-a-release-date |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> |- | ''Petta Rap'' || Kasimedu Michael ||<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-22 |title='Petta Rap' Teaser: Prabhu Deva sings, dances and fights in the musical actioner |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/petta-rap-teaser-prabhu-deva-sings-dances-and-fights-in-the-musical-actioner/article68320026.ece |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> |- | ''Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam'' || ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-27 |title=Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam trailer promises a gripping investigative thriller |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Oct/27/oru-anweshanathinte-thudakkam-trailer-promises-a-gripping-investigative-thriller |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> |- | rowspan=6 | 2025 || ''ID:The Fake'' || ||<ref>https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/id-the-fake-malayalam-movie-official-trailer-dhyan-sreenivasan-sp41sm</ref> |- | ''Bromance'' || Courier Babu ||<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mathew Thomas - Arjun Ashokan Starrer 'Bromance' Starts Rolling|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mathew-thomas-arjun-ashokan-starrer-bromance-starts-rolling/articleshow/111980061.cms|access-date=27 July 2024|website=The Times Of India |date=24 July 2024}}</ref> |- | ''Chattuli'' || Shivadasan||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Madhu |first=Vignesh |date=2025-01-29 |title=Chattuli gets a release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Jan/29/chattuli-gets-a-release-date |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> |- | ''Ouseppinte Osyath'' || George ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-02 |title=Vijayaraghavan to headline 'Ouseppinte Osyath', shooting progresses |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/vijayaraghavan-to-headline-ouseppinte-osyath-shooting-progresses/articleshow/112209514.cms |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> |- | ''L2 Empuraan'' || Aloshy Joseph ||<ref>{{Cite web |title='This is Prithviraj's brilliance': Kalabhavan Shajon on his single hazy appearance in 'Empuraan' trailer {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2025/03/21/prithviraj-brilliance-in-empuraan-trailer-kalabhavan-shajon-on-his-presence-in-his-movie.html |access-date=2025-04-14 |website='This is Prithviraj's brilliance': Kalabhavan Shajon on his single hazy appearance in 'Empuraan' trailer {{!}} Exclusive |language=en}}</ref> |- |Karam||Kamal Muhammed||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2025-07-16 |title=Vineeth Sreenivasan's next titled Karam, first look out |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2025/Jul/16/vineeth-sreenivasans-next-titled-karam-first-look-out |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> |- | 2026 || ''Drishyam 3'' || Sahadevan || |- |}
==== Web series ==== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Language ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2024 || ''Nagendran's Honeymoons'' || Inspector Varkey Avarachan || Malayalam ||Disney+ Hotstar<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Jul/06/nagendrans-honeymoons-trailer-suraj-venjaramoodu-on-a-wedding-spree |title=Nagendran's Honeymoons trailer: Suraj Venjaramoodu on a wedding spree|website=Cinema Express}}</ref> |}
=== Playback singing ===
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Song !! Title !! Music !! Lyrics !! Notes |- | 2014 || "Maaye Maaye Neeyen" || ''Njangalude Veettile Athidhikal'' || Ratheesh Vegha || Santhosh Varma || |- | 2015 || "Premamennal" || ''Amar Akbar Anthony'' || Nadirsha || Nadirsha || Party song |- |}
===As director=== {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title ! Writer !Notes |- |2019 |''Brother's Day'' |Himself |Directorial debut |- |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Facebook|id=KalabhavanShajonActor|name= Kalabhavan Shajohn}} * {{IMDb name|3175230}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shajon, Kalabhavan}} Category:Indian male film actors Category:Male actors from Kottayam Category:Living people Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema Category:Indian impressionists (entertainers) Category:21st-century Indian male actors Category:1977 births