Star announcer Shafee Kottarathil is ready to pep up campaign
Thrissur: With elections round the corner, anchor and announcer Shefee Kottarathill, 32, is looking forward to a busy season. He campaigns for political parties by delivering politically charged announcements inspiring the party workers and the public alike.
But from the age of 2, Shefee has been handicapped as his legs were paralysed after a severe bout of fever. He started compering during religious ceremonies at Cherpu Cheruchenam Mahal in his locality here at the age of 16.
His ability to give subtle variations to his tone attracted the political parties and he has been working for them for over a decade here.
During the local body elections here last year, his voice was used in some 50 CDs by ward members and councillors. During the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, he was hired by the campaign managers of P.C. Chacko and K.P. Danapalan in Chalakkudy and Thrissur respectively.
“Now, I have received invitationsfrom Thiruvanatha puram and Kollam for the Assembly polls. But as I am close to all the local political leaders in Thrissur, I am yet to commit anything,” Shefee told DC.
He is most sought-after due to his unique ways of preparing speeches from the handouts and manifestos of the parties within a few minutes at the campaign venues. He also has a flair for acting and has enacted small roles in seven Malayalam films, including ‘Pranchiyettan and the Saint’ and ‘Spirit’. He is into documentary and short film making as well.