Niyas Backer | |
|---|---|
| Occupations | Actor, mimicry artist, film director |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Known for | Marimayam |
| Relatives | Kalabhavan Navas (brother) |
Niyas Backer is an Indian actor, mimicry artist, and occasional film director who works primarily in the Malayalam film and television industry. [1] He is best known for his portrayal of the character Koya in the long-running Malayalam television sitcom Marimayam . [2] Over the years, he has appeared in a wide range of Malayalam films, mainly in supporting and character roles, and has also directed a feature film. [3]
Niyas Backer hails from Vadakkancherry in Thrissur district, Kerala. He is the eldest son of Aboobacker, a theatre artist and actor, and the elder brother of the late Malayalam actor and mimicry artist Kalabhavan Navas. [4]
Niyas Backer began his career as a mimicry artist and stage performer, participating in comedy shows and theatre programmes across Kerala. [5] He gradually transitioned to cinema, establishing himself as a dependable character actor in Malayalam films. [6]
Alongside film appearances, he gained widespread popularity on television through his role as Koya in Marimayam , a satirical sitcom broadcast on Mazhavil Manorama since 2011. [7] His performance in the series earned him recognition among television audiences. [8]
In 2013, Niyas made his directorial debut with the Malayalam film Vallatha Pahayan , in which he also acted. [9] The film marked his entry into filmmaking beyond acting. In 2014, he played the lead role in the film Manja , portraying the central character. [10]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Venkalam | — | [11] |
| 1993 | Chamayam (1993 film) | — | [11] |
| 1997 | Kudamattam | — | [11] |
| 2001 | Ishtam (2001 Malayalam film) | Babukuttan | [11] |
| 2003 | Gramophone (film) | Lalappan | [11] |
| 2007 | Speed Track | Tinu’s friend | [11] |
| 2012 | Jawan of Vellimala | Shibu | [11] |
| 2012 | Spanish Masala | Abdu | Mimicry artist [11] |
| 2012 | Ordinary (film) | KPAC Chandran | [11] |
| 2012 | Run Baby Run (2012 film) | — | [11] |
| 2013 | 3 Dots | Manoharan | [11] |
| 2013 | Vallatha Pahayan | Kuruvilla | Director and actor [12] |
| 2014 | Polytechnic (film) | Murugan | [11] |
| 2014 | Manja (film) | Jackson | Lead role [13] |
| 2014 | Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 | Cook Manjulan | [11] |
| 2017 | Fukri | Vasantha Kumar | [11] |
| 2018 | Queen (2018 film) | Head of Mechanical Dept. | [11] |
| 2019 | Oru Adaar Love | Gadha’s father | [11] |
| 2019 | Porinju Mariam Jose | Varkey | [11] |
| 2019 | Lonappante Mamodeesa | Simon | [11] |
| 2019 | Munthiri Monchan | Aniyachan | [11] |
| 2024 | Panchayath Jetty | Aliyan | [14] |
| 2024 | Vivekanandan Viralanu | Jayan | Civil Police Officer [11] |
| 2025 | Pravinkoodu Shappu | Ceylon Ramakrishnan | [11] |
| 2025 | Sarvam Maya | Client | [11] |
In 2025, Niyas Backer publicly refused a viral social media claim that his late brother’s family had received a ₹26 lakh insurance payout, stating the posted insurance card was fake and warning the public against spreading misinformation. [16]