List of Malayalam film actors explained

This list outlines the names of popular lead film actors, who previously worked or are currently working in the Malayalam film industry, based in Kerala, India. The list is ordered by the year of their debut as a leading actor or the year of their landmark film. Actors who have starred in at least five films as lead are included in the list.

1930s

YearName Debut filmclass=unsortableOther notable films
1938K. K. AroorBalanGnanambika (1940), Kerala Kesari (1950), Genova (1953)

1940s

YearName Debut filmclass=unsortableOther notable films
1940Sebastian Kunjukunju BhagavatharGnanambikaNavalokam (1951), Sheriyo Thetto (1953), Vidhi Thanna Vilakku (1962)

1950s

YearName Debut filmclass=unsortableOther notable films
1952Prem Nazir[1] MarumakalMurappennu (1965), Udhyogastha (1967), Iruttinte Athmavu (1967), Kallichellamma (1969), Virunnukari (1969)
Sathyan[2] AthmasakhiAnubhavangal Palichakal (1971), Karinizhal (1971), Kadalpalam (1969), Yakshi (1968)
1953Adoor BhasiThiramalaThommante Makkal (1965), Kayamkulam Kochunni (1966), C.I.D. Nazir (1971)
1958P. J. AntonyRandidangazhiBhargavi Nilayam (1964) Kurukshethram (1970), Manninte Maril (1979)

1960s

YearName Debut filmclass=unsortableOther notable films
1961Jose Prakash[3] Bhakta KuchelaC.I.D. Nazir (1971), Love In Singapore (1980), Kottayam Kunjachan (1990)
1964MadhuBhargavi NilayamChemmeen (1965), Bobanum Moliyum (1971), Geethaanjali (2013)
Kuthiravattam PappuBhargavi NilayamLisa (1978), Aye Auto (1990), Manichitrathazhu (1993)
1968RaghavanKayalkkarayilSwami Ayyappan (1975), Hridhayathinte Nirangal (1979), Evidence (1998)

1970s

YearName Debut filmclass=unsortableOther notable films
1972ThilakanPeriyarKireedam (1989), Spadikam (1995), Narasimham (2000), Pazhassi Raja (2009), Ustad Hotel (2012)
InnocentNrithasalaGandhinagar 2nd Street (1986), Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), No.20 Madras Mail (1990), Vietnam Colony (1992), Big B (2007), Oru Indian Pranayakadha (2013)
1973VijayaraghavanKaapalikaRamji Rao Speaking (1989), Big B (2007), Memories (2013), Porinju Mariam Jose (2019)
SukumaranNirmalyamRajan Paranja Kadha (1978), Angadi (1980), Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988)
1974Jagathy SreekumarKanyakumariOru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988), Yoddha (1992), Chotta Mumbai (2007), Indian Rupee (2011)
1976JayanPanchamiSarapancharam (1979), Angadi (1980), Paalattu Kunjikkannan (1980), Manushya Mrugam (1980)
SreenivasanManimuzhakkamAram + Aram = Kinnaram (1985), Kaalapani (1996), Traffic (2011), Aravindante Athidhikal (2018)
1978Nedumudi VenuThampuThakara (1979), Venal (1981), Dr. Pasupathy (1990), Bheeshma Parvam (2022)
1979MuraliNjattadiKireedam (1989), The King (1995), Runway (2004), Kochi Rajavu (2005)
MamukkoyaAnyarude BhoomiPonmuttayidunna Tharavu (1988), Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), Pazhassi Raja (2009), Kunjiramayanam (2015), Marakkar (2021)
AshokanPeruvazhiyambalamIn Harihar Nagar (1990), In Ghost House Inn (2010), Teja Bhai & Family (2011)

1980s

YearName Debut filmclass=unsortableOther notable films
1980ShankarManjil Virinja PookkalKadathu (1981), Oothikachiya Ponnu (1981), Ente Mohangal Poovaninju (1982), Veendum Chalikkunna Chakram (1984).
MohanlalThiranottamChithram (1998),Kireedam (1989), No.20 Madras Mail (1990), Kilukkam (1991), Manichitrathazhu (1994), Spadikam (1995), Kaalapani (1996), Narasimham (2000), Raavanaprabhu (2001), Thanmathra(2005), Chotta Mumbai(2007),Drishyam(2013),Pulimurugan (2016), Lucifer (2019).
1981MammoottyAhimsaNew Delhi (1987), Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988), Kottayam Kunjachan (1990), Sethurama Iyer CBI (2004), Rajamanikyam (2005), Big B(2007) Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (2009), Bheeshma Parvam (2022).
1982MukeshIthu Njangalude KathaRamji Rao Speaking (1989).,[4] Vandanam (1989), Aakasha Ganga (1999), 2 Harihar Nagar (2009), Philip's (2023)
1984JagadishMy Dear KuttichathanNo.20 Madras Mail (1990), In Harihar Nagar (1990), Gramapanchayath (1998), Falimy (2023)
1985IndransJwalanamCID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed. (1994), Mannar Mathai Speaking (1995), Aadu (2015), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020),
  1. Home
(2021)
SiddiqueAa Neram Alppa DooramIn Harihar Nagar (1990), Lelam (1997), Nandanam (2002), Chattambinadu (2009), Marakkar (2021)
Shammi ThilakanIrakalPraja (2001), Runway (2004), Neram (2013), Joji (2021), King of Kotha (2023)
1986Suresh GopiNiramulla RaavukalThalastaanam (1992), Mafia (1993), Thenkasipattanam (2000), Bharathchandran I.P.S. (2005).
Harisree AshokanPappan Priyappetta PappanPunjabi House (1998), C.I.D. Moosa (2003), Minnal Murali (2021)
1989JayaramInnaleOne Man Show (2001), Winter (2009), China Town (2011), Abraham Ozler (2024)
SaikumarRamji Rao SpeakingIn Harihar Nagar (1990), Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum (1990), Chotta Mumbai (2007)

1990s

YearName Debut filmclass=unsortableOther notable films
1991Prem KumarAranguHitler Brothers (1997), James Bond (1999), Aravindante Athidhikal (2018)
1994Dileep[5] Manathe KottaramPunjabi House (1998), Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001), Meesa Madhavan (2002), C.I.D. Moosa (2003), Chanthupottu (2005), My Boss (2012), Two Countries (2015)
LalManathe KottaramThenkasipattanam (2000), Thommanum Makkalum (2005), Salt N' Pepper (2011), 2018 (2023)
BaburajBeeshmacharyaraChotta Mumbai (2007), Salt N' Pepper (2011), Honey Bee (2013), Joji (2021)
1995Biju MenonMikhayelinte SanthathikalMannar Mathai Speaking (1995), Marykkundoru Kunjaadu (2010), Ordinary (2012), Anarkali (2015), Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2020)
Kalabhavan ManiAksharamVasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum (1999), James Bond (1999), Sethurama Iyer CBI (2004), Chotta Mumbai (2007)
Joju GeorgeMazhavilkoodaramAction Hero Biju (2016), IDI (2016), Joseph (2018), Iratta (2023), Antony (2023)
VinayakanMaanthrikamChathikkatha Chanthu (2004), Chotta Mumbai (2007), Kammatipaadam (2016), Jailer (2023)
Kottayam NazeerMimics Action 500Brother's Day (2019), Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan (2021), Pappachan Olivilanu (2023)
1996Salim KumarIshtamanu Nooru VattamThenkasipattanam (2000), C.I.D. Moosa (2003), Adaminte Makan Abu (2011)
1997Kunchacko Boban[6] AniyathipraavuNakshatratharattu (1998), Niram (1999), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020)
LalKaliyattamThenkasipattanam (2000), Thommanum Makkalum (2005), Honey Bee (2013), 2018 (2023)

2000s

Other notable films
2001Suraj VenjaramooduLadies & GentlemanChattambinadu (2009), Teja Bhai & Family (2011), Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 (2019), Jana Gana Mana (2022)
2002Jishnu RaghavanNammalNerariyan CBI (2005), Chakkaramuthu (2006), Ordinary (2012), Ustad Hotel (2012), Annum Innum Ennum (2013)
Prithviraj SukumaranNandanamIndian Rupee (2011), Celluloid (2013), Memories, Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2020), Jana Gana Mana (2022), The Goat Life (2024)
Indrajith SukumaranOomappenninu UriyadappayyanChanthupottu (2005), Amen (2013), Lucifer (2019)
2002JayasuryaOomappenninu UriyadappayyanPulival Kalyanam (2003), Chathikkatha Chanthu (2004), Chocolate (2007), Classmates (2006), Aadu (2015)
Fahadh FaasilKaiyethum DoorathAmen (2013), Bangalore Days (2014), Njan Prakashan(2018), Joji (2021), Aavesham (2024)
2005Saiju KurupMayookhamAadu (2015), Antakshari (2022), Pappachan Olivilanu (2023)
2007Jaffar IdukkiKaiyoppuKattappanayile Rithwik Roshan (2016), Ajagajantharam (2021), Churuli (2021)
2008Vineeth SreenivasanCycleTraffic (2011), Kunjiramayanam (2015), Aravindante Athidhikal (2018), Mukundan Unni Associates (2022), 2018 (2023)
Ramesh PisharodyPositiveAmar Akbar Anthony (2015), Aadupuliyattam (2016), Voice of Sathyanathan (2023)
2009Asif AliRituSalt N' Pepper (2011), Honey Bee (2013), Kooman (2022)

2010s

See also: New generation (Malayalam film movement).

YearName Debut filmclass=unsortableOther notable films
2010Nivin Pauly[7] Malarvaadi Arts ClubThattathin Marayathu (2012), Oru Vadakkan Selfie, Premam (2015), Kayamkulam Kochunni (2018)
Aju VargheseMalarvaadi Arts ClubThattathin Marayathu (2012), Oru Vadakkan Selfie (2015), Phoenix (2023)
Dharmajan BolgattyPaappi AppachaAadu (2015), Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan (2016), Chunkzz (2017)
Chemban Vinod JoseNayakanAadu (2015), Ee.Ma.Yau. (2018), Porinju Mariam Jose (2019)
2011Shine Tom ChackoKhaddamaIthihasa (2014), Kayamkulam Kochunni (2018), Kurup (film) (2021), Kurukkan (2023)
Sreenath BhasiPranayamDa Thadiya (2012), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020), Manjummel Boys (2024)
2012Dulquer SalmaanSecond ShowUstad Hotel (2012), ABCD (2013), Charlie (2015), Kurup (2021)
Sunny WayneSecond ShowAadu (2015), Anugraheethan Antony (2021), Kasargold (2023)
Arjun AshokanOrkut Oru OrmakootB.Tech (2018), Jan. E. Man (2021), Romancham (2023)
2013Soubin ShahirAnnayum RasoolumSudani from Nigeria (2018), Kumbalangi Nights (2019), Manjummel Boys (2024)
Neeraj MadhavBuddyAdi Kapyare Kootamani (2013), Lavakusha (2017), Gauthamante Radham (2020), RDX (2023)
SharafudheenNeramPretham (2016), Role Models (2017), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020)
Lukman AvaranDayom PanthrandumOperation Java (2021), Ajagajantharam (2021), Thallumaala (2022),
Dhyan SreenivasanThira (film)Kunjiramayanam (2015), Adi Kapyare Kootamani (2015), Udal (2022)
Basil JosephJan. E. Man (2021), Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022), Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil (2024)
2014Hareesh KanaranUlsaha CommitteeKunjiramayanam (2015), Georgettan's Pooram (2017), Kallan D'Souza (2022)
2016Vishnu UnnikrishnanKattappanayile Rithwik RoshanOru Yamandan Premakadha (2019), Krishnankutty Pani Thudangi (2021), Vedikettu (2023), Anchakkallakokkan (2024)
Shane NigamKismathParava (2017), Kumbalangi Nights (2019), Bhoothakaalam (2022), RDX (2023)
2017 Tovino ThomasOru Mexican AparathaMinnal Murali (2021), Thallumaala (2022), 2018 (2023)
Antony VargheseAngamaly DiariesJallikattu (2019), Ajagajantharam (2021), RDX (2023)
2018Pranav MohanlalAadhiIrupathiyonnaam Noottaandu (2019), Marakkar (2021), Hridayam (2022), Varshangalkku Shesham (2024)
Senthil KrishnaMohanlalChalakkudikkaran Changathi (2018), Pathonpatham Noottandu (2022), Abraham Ozler (2024)

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Vn. Aswin. 2017-04-06. Everlasting aura. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-07-14. 0971-751X.
  2. News: Venkiteswaran. C. S.. 2012-11-08. The indomitable Sathyan. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-11-09. 0971-751X.
  3. News: Vn. Aswin. 2017-04-06. Everlasting aura. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-07-14. 0971-751X.
  4. ജ്യോതിഷ്, വി.ആര്‍. (21 October 2016). "ഫാസിൽ മനുഷ്യനെ പറ്റിക്കാൻ ഇറങ്ങിയിരിക്കുകയാണ്...റാംജിറാവുവിനൊപ്പം കഥകളും ഇറങ്ങി; സിദ്ദിഖ്–ലാൽ". Vanitha. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  5. News: The 'Being Human' Salmanification of 'Janapriya Nayakan' Dileep . Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd . 24 August 2018 .
  6. Web site: Four decades of Kunchacko Boban . 10 November 2017.
  7. News: Srinivasan. Latha. Nivin Pauly's unstoppable rise: How he went from guy-next-door to bonafide superstar. 13 May 2018. Firstpost. 16 May 2017. 14 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180514002621/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/nivin-paulys-unstoppable-rise-how-he-went-from-guy-next-door-to-bonafide-superstar-3448336.html. live.