Mukesh | |
---|---|
![]() Mukesh in 2013 | |
Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
Assumed office 2 June 2016 | |
Preceded by | P. K. Gurudasan |
Constituency | Kollam |
Personal details | |
Born | Mukesh Babu [1] 5 March 1957 Kollam,Kerala,India |
Political party | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
Spouses | |
Children | 2 |
Parents |
|
Relatives | Divyadarshan (nephew) |
Occupation |
|
Mukesh Madhavan (born Mukesh Babu; 5 March 1957), known mononymously as Mukesh, is an Indian actor, film producer, television presenter, and politician who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema besides also having sporadically appeared in Tamil-language films. [2] In a film career spanning four decades, he has acted in over 275 Malayalam films. [3]
He made his onscreen debut in the 1982 film Balloon in the leading role. [4] [5] His 1996 film Kaanaakkinaavu premiered at the IFFI and won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. [6] He co-produced Kadha Parayumbol (2007), which won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value. [7] He also produced the 2012 film Thattathin Marayathu, which is considered one of the defining films of the Malayalam New Wave. [8]
He was the chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy. Mukesh is the current MLA representing the Kollam constituency of Kerala state. [9]
Mukesh was born to actors O. Madhavan and Vijayakumari, in Kollam, Kerala, India on 5 March 1957. [10] He has two sisters, Sandhya Rajendran and Jayasree. Sandhya and her husband, E.A. Rajendran are also actors (stage and film).
Mukesh attended Infant Jesus Anglo-Indian School in Kollam. He then pursued a bachelor's degree in science (B.Sc.) from Sree Narayana College, Kollam. He also holds a second bachelor's degree in law (LLB) from Kerala Law Academy Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.
Mukesh was active in stage dramas before he entered the film industry. [11]
Mukesh made his acting debut in 1982 with the film Balloon. [12] Later, that same year he landed his first leading role with the drama film Ithu Njangalude Katha, a remake of the Tamil-language film Palaivana Solai. The film was an average grosser, with the film's songs becoming chartbusters. [13] In the mid-80s, he appeared in several comedy films directed by Priyadarshan, usually in supporting roles. His first film as solo hero came in 1985 with Mutharamkunnu P.O. Despite being an average grosser at the box office, the film has over the years attained a cult status. [14] His first major commercial hit came with the 1985 film Boeing Boeing, directed by Priyadarshan. He appeared in a supporting role in the film to Mohanlal. This was his first collaboration with Mohanlal. They would go on to star in several films in the late 1980s, usually starring Mohanlal in the lead role. [15] Examples include Ninnishtam Ennishtam (1986), Adiverukal (1986), Hello My Dear Wrong Number (1986) and Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986). He also appeared in supporting roles to Mammootty in the late-80s with successful films like Snehamulla Simham (1986), Shyama (1986), Thaniyavarthanam (1987), 1921 (1988), Sangham (1988), Mahayanam (1989) and Nair Saab (1989). In 1988, he appeared as Chacko in the cult investigative thriller Oru CBI Diary Kurippu also featuring Mammootty. [16] The character of Chacko has over the years attained a cult status. [17] He reprised his role as Chacko in the CBI series sequels in 1989, 2004, 2005 and 2022. [17] Then, in 1989, he starred in Ramji Rao Speaking, a blockbuster that ran for 200 days in theatres and went on to become the second highest grossing film of the year. [18] The film gave Mukesh his major break. [19] Ramji Rao Speaking is considered by audiences and critics to be one of the best comedy films made in Malayalam cinema. [20] The film still has a huge cult following. [21] The film has been subject to many memes, with Mukesh's dialogue in the film "Kambilipothappu" becoming a catchphrase. [20] He also starred alongside Mohanlal in Vandanam (1989), which is considered a cult classic in Malayalam cinema. [22]
In the beginning of the 1990, he made an extended guest role in Priyadarshan's Akkare Akkare Akkare, which was the sequel to Patanapravesham (1989). After the success of Ramji Rao Speaking, he was offered many leading roles. The film Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum was then released, which was a commercial success.[ citation needed ] Following the success of Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum he again collaborated with Siddique-Lal for In Harihar Nagar, which is considered to be one of the defining films of the Malayalam golden age of comedy. The film was a box office success, running for 100 days in theatres. The film established Mukesh as a bankable lead actor in the industry. The film has over the years accumulated a cult following and huge fan base, with many scenes from the film being used in memes and online trolls today. [23] Following the success of In Harihar Nagar, a series of unrelated low budget comedy films featuring the principal cast of the film were produced. These films usually starred Mukesh, Jagadeesh or Siddique in the lead roles. [24] In 1990 he also formed a successful onscreen pairing with another rising star, Jayaram with successful films like Thoovalsparsham , Marupuram and Malayogom. He also starred as solo hero in commercially successful films like Gajakesariyogam, Ottayal Pattalam and Champion Thomas in the same year. [25] His role as a serial womanizer in Kouthugal Vaartakal boosted his popularity as a lead actor. He also made his Tamil debut that same year in Manaivi Oru Manickam. [26]
He then, in 1991 starred in the classic comedy film, Godfather directed by Siddique-Lal, another blockbuster, the film ran for 417 days at Sreekumar Theatre in Trivandrum. [27] Godfather became the longest running film in Malayalam film industry. [28] The film established him as one of the major stars of the Malayalam film industry. [29] He then teamed up with director P. G. Vishwambaran, who had earlier directed him in Ithu Njangalude Katha (1982), in several successful films like Innathe Programme and Irrikku M. D. Akathundu. He then starred in the 1991 cult slapstick comedy film Mookilla Rajyathu, in which he played the role of a mental patient who escaped from a mental asylum. The film is widely regarded as a classic in Malayalam cinema. [30] He starred in the critically acclaimed Kakkathollayiram in which he played the role of the brother to mentally ill woman. [31] He also worked with Shaji Kailas in Souhrudam (1991), in which he starred alongside Urvashi, Sai Kumar and Parvathy. However, Souhrudam was a box-office bomb. [32] The next year, he starred alongside Jayaram in Kamal's Aayushkalam (1992), a super hit at the box office. This was the first in a set of successful collabs with director Kamal. They then teamed up for the romantic comedy Ennodishtam Koodamo, another super hit. [33] He then starred in Makkal Maahathmiam, which was written by Siddique-Lal. [34] He then played the role of a petty thief in Manyanmar. This was his first onscreen pairing with Sreenivasan.[ citation needed ] The following year, he starred in the Balachandra Menon directorial Ammayane Sathyam. [35] The film was also a box office success, running for 100 days in theatres. [35] The next year, he starred in Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji, another box office success. [36] It ran for 125 days in theatres and was one of the highest grossers of the year. [36]
He appeared in notable films such as Sipayi Lahala and Mannar Mathai Speaking (the sequel to Ramji Rao Speaking ). He appeared in a supporting role to Mammootty in the 1996 comedy-drama film Hitler , directed by Siddique of the Siddique-Lal duo. [37] Hitler became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time. He then starred in Sibi Malayil's 1996 film Kanakkinavu, which was screened at the Indian Panorama section of the IFFI and won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. [38] The film was also commercially successful. [39] The next year, all of his films except for Kalyana Kacheri, bombed at the box office. [40] The following year, he starred in Mattupetti Machan, which was one of the highest grossers of the year and ran for 100 days in theatres. [41] It was remade in Tamil as Banda Paramasivam , in Hindi as Housefull 2 . [41] He then made a cameo appearance as himself in the highly successful Sreekrishnapurathe Nakshathrathilakkam. [42] 1999 was a successful year for Mukesh as he starred in two super-hits namely, Friends, which was the highest grosser of the year (He starred alongside Jayaram for the first time in 7 years and Sreenivasan) and alongside Divya Unni in the Vinayan directorial Aakasha Ganga, which was the fourth highest grossing film of the year. [43]
In the 2000s and 2010s, he struggled to escape an image trap. Regardless, he came back with interesting supporting roles in Udayananu Tharam , Goal, Vinodayathra , Boyy Friennd , Kaiyoppu , Naalu Pennungal and Katha Parayumbol . He has been a part of many of Mohanlal's comedies, most of them directed by Priyadarshan. He also ventured into production with Sreenivasan, their first movie, Katha Parayumbol , featured a cameo by Mammootty.
Mukesh was the host of a Malayalam version of Deal or No Deal , which was aired on Surya TV. He is now acting in Badai bungalow, a comedy and celebrity talk show hosted by Ramesh Pisharody, launched on Asianet from 2013. [44]
He married South Indian film actress Saritha in 1988, and they have two sons. After a lengthy separation, they divorced in 2011. [45] [46] Their elder son Shravan made his acting debut in the 2018 film Kalyanam. Mukesh married dance scholar Methil Devika on 24 October 2013. The couple filed for divorce in 2021. [47] [48]
In 2007, Mukesh authored a book based on experiences while he was a student at college, and tales from his life as a movie actor. [3] titled Mukesh Kathakal – Jeevithathiley Nerum Narmavum. [15] It proved very successful. [49] He authored another book, Mukesh Babu and Party in Dubai, published by DC Books in 2009, marketed as a "realistic campus novel". [50]
Mukesh is a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M). He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly from Kollam Assembly constituency in the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election. [9] He won again from the same constituency in the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election. [51] However, his victory margin came down from 17,611 in 2016 to 2072 in 2021. [52] In the 2024 Indian general election, Mukesh contested to the Lok Sabha from the Kollam Lok Sabha constituency. [52]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1990 | Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu | Ponnan | Cameo Appearance |
Akkare Akkare Akkare | Surendran | ||
Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum | Balu | ||
In Harihar Nagar | Mahadevan | ||
Kouthuka Varthakal | Mathew Ninan Koshy | ||
Maalayogam | Jose | ||
Champion Thomas | Dr. Mathews | ||
Marupuram | Roy | ||
Minda Poochakku Kalyanam | Krishnakumar | ||
Gajakesariyogam | Vinayachandran | ||
Nanma Niranjavan Srinivasan | Peter | ||
Ottayal Pattalam | Venu Gopalakrishnan / Col. R. K. Nair | ||
Thooval Sparsam | Boney | ||
1991 | Bhoomika | Chandikkunju | |
Cheppukilukkana Changathi | Nandakumaran Thampi | ||
Ennathe Programme | Unnikrishnan Nair | ||
Onnaam Muhoortham | Vishwanathan | ||
Ezhunnallathu | Dasappan | ||
Ganamela | Venugopal | ||
Godfather | Ramabhadran | ||
Irrikku M.D. Akathundu | Jayan | ||
Kakkathollayiram | Rajashekharan | ||
Mookilla Rajyathu | Benny | ||
Nattu Vishesham | Vinod Kumar | ||
Parallel College | Balu | ||
Post Box No. 27 | Suresh Kumar | ||
Ragam Anuragam | Dr. Rajeev | ||
Souhrudam | Royichan | ||
1992 | Aayushkalam | Balakrishnan | |
Kallanum Polisum | Prabhakaran | ||
Ellarum Chollanu | Ramachandran | ||
Ennodishtam Koodamo | Ramanunni | ||
Kaazhchakkppuram | A. Viswanathan | ||
Makkal Maahathmiam | Madhavankutty | ||
Manyanmaar | Thomas | ||
Poochakkaru Mani Kettum | Kochukrishnan | ||
1993 | Sainyam | Zakir | |
Thalamura | Mundackal Martin | ||
Ammayane Sathyam | Omanakuttan | ||
Bandhukkal Sathrukkal | Chandran a.k.a. Sahayam Chandran Kunju | ||
Customs Diary | Rony Vincent | ||
Dollar | Alex | ||
Ente Sreekuttikku | Appukuttan | ||
Pravachakan | Balagopalan | ||
Varam | Actress Mohini | ||
1994 | Kinnaripuzhayoram | Unnikrishnan's Friend | |
Varaphalam | Balan | ||
Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji | Jitendra Varma | ||
Manathe Vellitheru | Babukuttan | ||
Shudhamaddalam | Appukkuttan | ||
1995 | Achan Rajavu Appan Jethavu | Unnikrishnan / Kunjuvarghese | |
Kalamasseriyil Kalyanayogam | Balachandran | ||
Kalyanji Anandji | Kalyanakrishnan | ||
Keerthanam | Josekutty | ||
Manikya Chempazhukka | Ashokan Nair | ||
Mannar Mathai Speaking | Gopalakrishnan | ||
Parvathy Parinayam | Shivankutty | ||
Sipayi Lahala | Rajendran | ||
Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njanum | Balakrishnan | ||
Tom & Jerry | Balagopalan | ||
1996 | Hitler | Mamangalath Balachandran | |
Kaanaakkinaavu | Hamsa | Won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration | |
Mr. Clean | Rajagopal | ||
Nandagopaalante Kusruthikal | Nandagopalan | ||
1997 | Chandralekha | Photo Appearance | |
Kalyana Kacheri | Ambadi Arjunan Nair | ||
Kalyanappittannu | Sathyendran | ||
Mannadiar Penninu Chenkotta Checkan | Chenkotta Sethuraman | ||
Newspaper Boy | Krishnankutty | ||
Oru Mutham Mani Mutham | Balachandran | ||
Suvarna Simhaasanam | Vasudevan | ||
Vamsam | Kurushinkal Jimmy | ||
1998 | Amma Ammaayiyamma | Shekharankutty | |
Chenapparambile Aanakkariyam | Gopikrishnan | ||
Manthrikumaran | Achuthankutty | ||
Mattupetti Machan | Mattupetti Machan | ||
Mayajalam | Valiyachunkatharayil Babu Narayanan Thampi | ||
Meenakshi Kalyanam | Earali Balan | ||
Oro Viliyum Kathorthu | Sreedharan | ||
Sreekrishnapurathe Nakshathrathilakkam | Himself | Cameo appearance | |
Aakasha Ganga | James | ||
1999 | English Medium | Gokulakrishnan | |
Angene Oru Avadhikkalathu | Nandakumar | ||
Friends | Chandu | ||
Swastham Grihabharanam | Unni | ||
Tokyo Nagarile Viseshangal | Chenkalcheri Chandrappan | ||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | Vakkalathu Narayanankutty | Mathew Chandy | |
Nakshathragal Parayathirunnathu | Nandakumar | ||
2001 | Sundara Purushan | Dr.Geevarghese | |
Kakkakuyil | Govindan | ||
One Man Show | Himself as anchor of Kodipathi program | ||
2002 | Pakalppooram | Gouridasan Namboothiri | |
2003 | Vasanthamalika | Balakrishnan | |
Sahodharan Sahadevan | Aravindan, Mukundan | ||
Chronic Bachelor | Srikumar | ||
Thillana Thillana | Balachandran | ||
2004 | Sethurama Iyer CBI | Chacko | |
Thekkekkara Superfast | Ulahannan | ||
Vismayathumbathu | Govindan Kutty | ||
2005 | Udayananu Tharam | Babykuttan | |
Soumyam | |||
Boy Friend | Minister Nateshan, Dineshan (double role) | ||
Nerariyan CBI | Chacko | ||
Chiratta Kalippattangal | |||
Junior Senior | Manu | ||
Oraal | Gautam | ||
2006 | Balram vs Tharadas | Inspector Varma | |
Rasathanthram | Shivan | ||
2007 | Athisayan | Radhakrishnan | |
Kaiyoppu | Sivadas "Kilippaattu" | ||
Kaakki | Ramakrishnan | ||
Katha Parayumbol | Venu | Producer | |
Naalu Pennungal | Nara Pillai | ||
Rock N Roll | Vishal | ||
Ayur Rekha | Thripayar Madhavan | ||
Vinodayathra | Shaji Raghavan | ||
Goal | Isaac | ||
Best Friends | |||
2008 | Twenty:20 | CI Jayachandran | |
Kabadi Kabadi | Vijayan | ||
Innathe Chintha Vishayam | Dr. Murali Krishanan | ||
Parthan Kanda Paralokam | Madhavan | ||
Gopalapuranam | Vishnu | ||
SMS | Robert Mathew | ||
2009 | Kanchipurathe Kalyanam | Pattarumadom Najeeb | |
2 Harihar Nagar | Mahadevan | Sequel to In Harihar Nagar | |
Dr.Patient | Dr. Ruben Isaac | ||
Currency | Danny D'Souza Aka Sayippu | ||
Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu | Gopikrishnan | ||
Shudharil Shudhan | Mohanachandran Pillai | ||
Kappal Muthalaali | Venkitt Raman | ||
Decent Parties | Himself | ||
Chemistry | Sreekanth IPS | ||
Calendar | Dr. Roy | ||
Bharya Swantham Suhruthu | Girish Menon | ||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Pathinonnil Vyazham | Appu | |
Advocate Lakshmanan Ladies Only | Lakshmanan | ||
In Ghost House Inn | Mahadevan | Sequel to 2 Harihar Nagar | |
Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policum | Sadasivan | ||
Pulliman | |||
Swantham Bharya Zindabad | Himself | ||
Mummy & Me | Joseph | ||
2011 | Kottarathil Kutty Bhootham | ||
Happy Durbar | CID Ananthan | ||
Killadi Raman | Mahadevan | ||
Adaminte Makan Abu | Ashraf | ||
Sarkar Colony | Shivaramakrishnan | ||
Oru Marubhoomikkadha | Abdu Kupleri | 200th film | |
Maharaja Talkies | Venugopal | ||
Manikyakkallu | |||
Pachuvum Kovalanum | Pachu | ||
Ninnishtam Ennishtam 2 | |||
Natakame Ulakam | Omanakuttan | ||
2012 | Gruhanathan | Vishvanathan/ GV | |
Masters | SP Ravi Shanker | ||
Navagatharkku Swagatham | Rajasekharan aka Appettan | ||
Red Alert | |||
916 | Dr. Ramesh | ||
Hide N' Seek | Solomon / Niranjan | ||
2013 | Lucky Star | Dr. John Chitillapally | |
English: An Autumn in London | Joy | Won the Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Second Best Actor | |
Sound Thoma | Plapparambil Mathai/Musthafa | ||
For Sale | Prathapan Guruji | ||
Ithu Manthramo Thanthramo Kuthanthramo | Sadanantha Bhoopathi Swami | ||
Philips and the Monkeypen | Principal | ||
Escape from Uganda | Firoz | ||
2014 | Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 | Gopalakrishnan | Sequel to Mannar Mathai Speaking |
London Bridge | Francis | ||
Vasanthathinte Kanal Vazhikalil | Journalist | ||
Praise The Lord | Sunny | ||
To Noora With Love | Cameo appearance | ||
Peruchazhi | Francis Kunjappan | ||
Persiakaran | |||
Ormayundo Ee Mukham | Doctor | ||
Mathai Kuzhappakkaranalla | Dr. Nandagopan | ||
Karanavar | Cameo appearance | ||
To Let Ambadi Talkies | Circle Inspector Jayashankar | ||
2015 | 1000 – Oru Note Paranja Katha | Jikku Mon's father | |
Kalyanism | Kishore | ||
Elanjikkavu P.O | |||
Chandrettan Evideya | Sekharan | ||
Su Su Sudhi Vathmeekam | Himself | ||
John Honai | Sreenivasan | ||
Adi Kapyare Kootamani | Father Alfred Kattuvilayil | Nominated for the Asianet Film Awards for Best Comedian | |
Two Countries | Simon | ||
2016 | Kattumakkan | Madhavan | |
Shikhamani | |||
Neeranjana Pookal | |||
Angane Thanne Nethave Anjettennam Pinnale | Paala Thankachan | ||
2017 | Jomonte Suvisheshangal | Vincent | |
Ramaleela | Paulson Devassy, DYSP | [54] | |
Masterpiece | Vice principal Cherian Joseph | 250th film | |
2018 | Kalyanam | Sahadevan Nair | |
2019 | Ganagandharvan | Aby | |
Under World | Padmanabhan Nair | ||
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | Dhamaka | Pauly | |
2 States | Vijayaraghavan | ||
2021 | Tsunami | Father Sylvester (Achankochapi) | |
Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham | Dharmoth Panicker | ||
2022 | CBI 5 | Chacko | |
2023 | Oh My Darling | [55] | |
Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum | Rajan | [56] | |
Philip's | Philip Abraham | [57] | |
Kadhikan | Chandrasenan | [58] | |
2024 | Iyer in Arabia | Srinivasa Iyer | [59] [60] |
Super Zindagi | [61] | ||
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1990 | Manaivi Oru Manickam | Ravi | |
1992 | Jathi Malli | Kesavan | |
2009 | Ainthaam Padai | Karunakaran | |
2013 | Naanum En Jamunavum |
In 2021, a student studying in class 10 from Palakkad called him for a help as he was the MLA of Kollam but instead of listening Mukesh shouted and threatened that he will cane him if he comes infront of him this phone called got leaked and erupted a huge criticism against Mukesh and he replied that it is part of a political movement against him later the problem was solved. [62] A Similar incident also happened in 2015 where he used abusive words against a fan who called him midnight.
Year | Title | Channel | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | Kodeeswaran (2000) | Surya TV | Anchor | |
2001 | Sambavami Yuge Yuge | Surya TV | Actor | TV Serial |
2008 | Super Talent | Surya TV | Anchor | |
2009-2012 | Deal or No Deal | Surya TV | Anchor | |
2013 | Abhinethri | Surya TV | Serial Producer | TV serial |
2013–2018 | Badai Bungalow | Asianet | Co-Host | Won, Asianet Television award 2016-Golden Star of the Year 2nd Asianet Comedy awards -Evergreen hero Asianet Film Awards -Multifaceted talents of the year's Asianet Television Awards 2018- golden star of television |
2015 | Sell me the answer | Asianet | Anchor | |
2016 | Sell me the answer season 2 | Asianet | Anchor | Won, Asiavision TV awards 2016 -Best game show anchor |
2018 | Bigg Boss (Malayalam season 1) | Asianet | Himself(role-Investigator) | Episode - 54 |
2018-2019 | Sell me the answer season 3 | Asianet | Anchor | |
2019–2020 | Badai Bungalow season 2 | Asianet | Co-Host | |
2020 | Top Singer | Flowers | Grand finale Judge | |
2020–2021 | Top Singer season 2 | Flowers | Judge | |
2020 | Engane oru Bharyayum Bharthavum | Flowers | Judge | |
2020 | Chankanu Chackochan | Asianet | Himself | Christmas special program |
2020 | Utsavam With Lalettan | Flowers | Himself | |
2020 | Nammal Thammil | Asianet | Host | |
2021 | Comedy Stars Season 2 | Asianet | Special Judge | |
2021 | Star Magic | Flowers | Mentor | |
2021 | Oru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper Chiri | Mazhavil Manorama | Judge | |
2021 | Kanyadaanam | Surya TV | Narrator | TV serial |
2021 | Minnum Tharam Season 2 | Asianet | Judge | |
2021 | Madhuram Shobhanam | Zee Keralam | Himself | Special show |
2021–2022 | Mukesh Speaking | YouTube | Host | Online show |
2021–2022 | Comedy Stars Season 3 | Asianet | Judge | |
2022–2023 | kidilam | Mazhavil Manorama | Judge | |
2023 | Uppum Mulakum | Flowers TV | Philips | TV serial |
Mohanlal Viswanathan is an Indian actor, film producer, playback singer, film distributor, and director who predominantly works in Malayalam film industry besides also having sporadically appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada films. Mohanlal has a prolific career spanning over four decades, during which he has acted in more than 400 films. Mohanlal's contributions to the Malayalam cinema have been praised by his contemporaries in the Indian film industry. The Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri in 2001, and Padma Bhushan in 2019, India's fourth and third highest civilian honours, for his contributions to Indian cinema. In 2009, he became the first actor in India to be awarded the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army. Mohanlal was named as one of "the men who changed the face of the Indian Cinema" by CNN.
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Nivin Pauly is an Indian actor and producer who works predominantly in Malayalam films. He is the recipient of several awards, including two Kerala State Film Awards, three Filmfare Awards South, two Kerala Film Critics Association Awards, and six SIIMA Awards. He auditioned for and was cast in one of the main roles in Vineeth Sreenivasan's directorial debut, Malarvaadi Arts Club, in 2009 and got his breakthrough in the romantic film Thattathin Marayathu (2012).
Aju Kurian Varghese, better known as Aju Varghese, is an Indian actor and producer who appears in Malayalam cinema. He made his debut in 2010 in Malarvadi Arts Club, directed by his college classmate Vineeth Sreenivasan. In a career spanning over a decade, he has acted in more than 130 Malayalam films. He owns a production company named Funtastic Films along with actor Dhyan Sreenivasan and producer Visakh Subramaniam.
Thattathin Marayathu is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan, starring Nivin Pauly and Isha Talwar. The supporting cast includes Aju Varghese, Manoj K. Jayan, Sunny Wayne, Sreeram Ramachandran, Bhagath Manuel, Manikuttan, Sreenivasan, and Niveda Thomas. The film was produced by actors Mukesh and Sreenivasan. The film is about a Hindu boy, Vinod, and a Muslim girl, Aisha, and the conflict arising out of this inter-faith relationship.
Sreeram Ramachandran is an Indian actor who works in Malayalam films, TV series, short films, music albums and web series
Sujith Unnikrishnan, known by his stage name Sunny Wayne is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema in second lead to supporting roles. He made his acting debut in Second Show (2012), in which Dulquer Salmaan played the main lead role.
Shaan Rahman is an Indian composer and singer, best known for his compositions in the Malayalam cinema. Shaan made his debut as a music director in the 2009 film Ee Pattanathil Bhootham directed by Johny Antony. He got the chance to work in the film after the wide acceptance and popularity of his 2008 music album "Coffee at MG Road" which he did along with his friend, singer and director Vineeth Sreenivasan.
Alphonse Puthren is an Indian film director, film producer, actor, editor, screenwriter and ad film maker. He works mainly in the Malayalam Cinema. He made his directional debut with the critically acclaimed Malayalam - Tamil bilingual suspense-thriller Neram (2013). His second film was the sensational blockbuster coming-of-age romantic film Premam (2015). After 7 years, he came back with Gold starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Nayanthara in the lead roles.
Anusree is an Indian actress who appears in Malayalam films. She made her acting debut in the 2012 film Diamond Necklace and has acted in a number of Malayalam films in female lead roles.
Dasan and Vijayan are the protagonists of the Nadodikkattu trilogy. The comical characters were created by directors Siddique–Lal and are portrayed by Mohanlal (Dasan) and Sreenivasan (Vijayan). They first appeared as unemployed workers, later becoming detectives by profession working in the Crime Investigation Department (CID) in Tamil Nadu Police, India. The characters first appeared in the 1987 black comedy film Nadodikkattu and later in its sequels Pattanapravesham (1988), and Akkare Akkare Akkare (1990).
Sushin Shyam is an Indian music composer, instrumentalist, and singer primarily associated with Malayalam cinema. He is also a founding member of the folk metal band The Down Troddence. He is known for his contributions to the films Varathan (2018), Kumbalangi Nights (2019), Minnal Murali (2021), Bheeshma Parvam (2022), Romancham (2023), Kannur Squad (2023), Manjummel Boys (2024) and Aavesham (2024). His work on Kumbalangi Nights earned him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director in 2019.
Visakh Subramaniam is an Indian film producer, distributor and exhibitor who works in the Malayalam film industry. He is the grandson of P. Subramaniam who founded Merryland Studio, the second film studio in Kerala. He is a partner of the production company Funtastic Films along with actors Aju Varghese and Dhyan Sreenivasan.
Thattathin Marayathu is the soundtrack to the 2012 film of the same name directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan starring Nivin Pauly and Isha Talwar. The soundtrack featured 10 songs composed by Shaan Rahman and lyrics written by Sreenivasan himself along with Anu Elizabeth Jose and Engandiyur Chandrasekharan. The soundtrack was released on 8 June 2012 through Satyam Audios and Mathrubhumi Music, to generally positive reviews from critics and the song "Muthuchippi Poloru" was a chartbuster upon release. Rahman was felicitated with several accolades for his work.
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