His first major success was when he hosted the show `Jagathy vs Jagathy' on Surya T.V. three years ago. The programme which showcased the clippings from the versatile actor Jagathy Sreekumar's films, ran for one and a half years. Then the shows for the city based channels began to appear.

``The live phone-in programmes on the ACV channel gave me amazing mileage,'' Jayasurya's eyes sparkle, ''and I'm addicted to it''. His friendly chat with callers was more appreciated than even the funny questions he asked. His innocent looks, funny one-liners and his uncanny ability to be friendly with the elders as easily as he does with youngsters, made him a popular anchor. Ace director Vinayan, known for his expertise in churning up hit after hit with fresh faces, was looking for a young hero for his new film `Oomapenninu Uriyada payyan'. He came to know about Jayasurya from his son who had seen the programme on TV.

The immensely talented local Kochi lad who never missed a new film, passed it off as a joke when he first heard about Vinayan's plans to launch him as a hero, from his friends. ''That was too good to believe,'' says he.

When he finally got the call from the director, it was one moment he would never forget in his life. His prayers and his parent's blessings have brought him luck, he believes. To be launched by such a successful director in a film with a unique topic is something that not everyone gets. How can the chatterbox play a mute in the film? ''That's one question everyone asks me, even during my television shows,'' smiles the hero.

He had done a lot of homework by staying with such people. On his return from Mookambika, he interacted like a mute person with his fellow passengers on the train, but none could find out the truth. He learnt sign language also. Once shooting started, the director, his co-stars and the technicians were extremely helpful, he fondly remembers. Actor Cochin Haneefa, who is also a successful director, gave him some tips during the shoot. Vinayan, the director, gave him enough encouragement. All that has eventually helped in making the film a good one, he hopes. What was the chemistry like with his heroine Kavya Madhavan? ''She never behaved like a star,'' he says, ''but she's an amazing actress.'' His face lights up at the thought of his first shot for the film. The scene had noted stars like Jagadeesh, Harisri Asokan and Sudheesh, besides the hero. The scene shot was a very emotional one and he was thrilled when the director nodded with satisfaction at the end of the perfect take.

He feels it is the perfect launch pad as the film deals with a serious subject with some excellent comedy scenes too. But his foray into films was not so easy. He had approached virtually every director in the industry before he finally made it as an actor. On the home-front, he is particularly attached to his `Amma' in whom he confides everything. He likes to spend his spare time with his family, in his flat at Panampilly Nagar and wants to remain a part of Kochi, where he has always been. His friends are in fact more concerned about the film's success, than him, he says. Jayasurya adores Shah Rukh Khan and believes Manju Warrier to be the best thing to have happened to Malayalam cinema in recent times. Quiz him on a role that he wishes should have been his and he says, ''Why one? Every time I watch a good movie, I wish it were me playing it''. Several projects are in the pipeline and he