Thirike’s Gopikrishnan creates record as first Down Syndrome actor to play the lead

Malayalam actor Gopikrishnan K Varma, who charmed the audience with his delightful performance as Sebi aka Ismu in the film Thirike, has now set a record for being the first actor with Down Syndrome to play the lead in a commercial film.

The India Book of Records announced that the 23-year-old was honoured for his role in Thirike, which released on February 26 on the regional OTT platform, Neestream.

The movie’s co-director, actor and scriptwriter George Kora, who was elemental in casting Gopikrishnan in the film, shared the photo of the certificate, captioning it, “History is made! Thirike is the first. But I hope it’s definitely not the last.”

Thirike revolves around the relationship between brothers Ismu and Thomas, played by Gopikrishnan and George, respectively. Ismu is adopted by a couple (Shanthi Krishna and Gopan Mangat) at an early age. While the younger brother Thomas grows up without his brother, he later reunites with Ismu and decides never to be separated again, in this feel-good movie, directed by George and Sam Xavier.

Before the movie’s release, Thirike’s team has shared TikTok videos of Gopikrishnan impersonating actors. George, had then wrote on his social media page, “For as long as I can remember I’ve specifically dreamt over and over again in a million different permutations and combinations of what my first film introduction as an actor would be. Me, the hero! Ente thala! Ente full figure! Romance. Comedy. Action. Dance. Pinnalla! And then last year, I found Gopi. Instantly, I knew my dream could wait. For, I’d found one more deserving. I don’t know yet if he is ever going to have another film. But this one is his (sic).”