Rima Kallingal Explained

Rima Kallingal
Image Upright:0.90
Birth Place:Thrissur, Kerala, India
Nationality:Indian
Yearsactive:2009–present
Alma Mater:Christ University

Rima Kallingal is an Indian actress and film producer who primarily works in Malayalam films.[1]

Early life and work

Born in Thrissur, Kerala, Kallingal began practising dancing when she was three years old.[2] A dancer by profession, she has been a part of a dance company called Nritarutya and has had performances on national and international stages.

She studied at Stanes Schools, Coonoor up to Fifth grade.[3] She completed her schooling at Chinmaya Vidyalayas, Thrissur, graduating in 2001. She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the Christ University, Bengaluru.[4] [5] She is also skilled in Taekwondo (Korean martial art), Chao (Manipuri martial art) and Kalari.[2]

She was a semi-finalist of the Asianet reality show Vodafone Thakadhimi. She moved to Bengaluru to pursue a modelling career and later participated in the Miss Kerala beauty pageant, in which she became the first runner-up, losing to Shree Thulasi in a tie-breaker.[6]

Career

Kallingal was spotted by director Lal Jose on a magazine cover, who cast her as a goat herder role in a Tamil film Mazhai Varappoguthu.[7] The project didn't materialise, but she was offered the lead female character of Varsha by director Shyamaprasad for Ritu, which eventually marked her acting debut.[6] She was 25 when she acted in the film.[4]

In 2012, Kallingal played a nurse and rape victim in 22 Female Kottayam opposite Fahadh Faasil,[8] which had a decent run at the box office.[9] [10] A critic of News18 noted, "The film belongs to Rima who sinks into the skin of the character with a spectacular performance."[11] [12] The film earned her Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam and Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress.[13] [14] [15] After 22 Female Kottayam, she said that she had made some mistakes in her career and stated "Yes, I have done a few films I never should have, but I am determined not to repeat those mistakes".[12]

In 2013, Kallingal turned television anchor with the Mazhavil Manorama show "Midukki".[16] Following which the Kerala Film Chamber imposed a ban on her which was later revoked.[17] That year, Kallingal played a young housewife in August Club.[18] Paresh C Palicha of Rediff.com noted, "Rima as Savithri, is someone who has learnt to stifle her feelings and finding other ways to give them an outlet."[19]

Her other notable films include the 2015 film Rani Padmini alongside Manju Warrier and the 2019 film Virus alongside an ensemble cast.[20] [21] Both films emerged commercial successes.[22] [23] In Rani Padmini, she played a tomboy.[24] Deepa Soman was appreciative of her "knockout performance".[25] In Virus, she played a nurse battle the deadly disease.[26] Sowmya Rajendran found her performance "expressive".[27]

In the 2021 film, Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam, Kallingal played an entertainment reporter opposite Jitin Puthenchery.[28] Baradwaj Rangan found her to be "terrific".[29] The film won her Best Actress at the Diorama International Film Festival.[30]

Media image

Kallingal's roles from 22 Female Kottayam, August Club and Rani Padmini are considered among the strongest female character in Malayalam films.[31] [32] [33] Kallingal was named the Kochi Times Most Desirable Women in 2012.[34] In 2014, she set up her own dance institute, named Mamangam in Kochi. It was later was shut down in 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[35]

Personal life

Kallingal married director Aashiq Abu on 1 November 2013, in a simple court wedding in Kochi.[36] As part of the occasion, the couple donated Rs 1 million towards the welfare of poor cancer patients at the General Hospital, Ernakulam, and Rs 25,000 to meet a day's expense of the dietary kitchen at the hospital.[37] [38]

Filmography

As actress

Year Film Role Notes
2009 Ritu Varsha John Malayalam debut
Kerala Cafe Grand daughterSegment : Mrityunjayam[39]
Neelathaamara Shaarath Ammini
2010 Happy Husbands Diana [40]
Best of Luck Diya [41]
2011 City of God Surya Prabha [42]
Ko Herself Tamil debut
Special appearance
Shankaranum Mohananum Jyotsna Mathew [43]
Yuvan Yuvathi Nisha Tamil film
Sevenes Aravindan's sister
Doubles Seetha Lakshmi Cameo appearance
Indian Rupee Beena [44]
2012 Orkut Oru Ormakoot Crystal Falth Ritz
Unnam Jennifer [45]
Nidra Ashwathy
22 Female Kottayam Tessa Kurissuparambil Abraham
Husbands in Goa Tina [46]
Ayalum Njanum Thammil Diya [47]
Bavuttiyude Namathil Noorjahan [48]
2013 Mahalakshmi
Natholi Oru Cheriya Meenalla Annie
August Club Savithri
Zachariayude Garbhinikal Fathima
Escape from Uganda Shikha Samuel
Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal Sini Alex
2015 Chirakodinja Kinavukal Sumathi
Rani Padmini Rani [49]
2017 Kaadu Pookkunna Neram Maoist
Clint Chinnamma
2018 Aabhaasam Passenger [50]
2019 Virus Nurse Akhila also producer[51]
2021 Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam Maria
Chithirai Sevvaanam Asha Nair Tamil film
2022Lalanna's Song Miriam [52]
2023 Neelavelicham Bhargavi Also producer[53] [54]
TBA Filming[55]

As producer

Year Title Director Notes
2014 Gangster Associate producer
2016 Maheshinte Prathikaaram Associate producer
2017 Mayanadi Associate producer
2018 Ee.Ma.Yau Associate producer
2019 Virus Co-produced with Aashiq Abu
2021 Bheemante Vazhi Co-produced with Chemban Vinod Jose and Aashiq Abu
2022 Naaradan Co-produced with Santhosh T. Kuruvilla and Aashiq Abu
2023 Neelavelicham Co-produced with Aashiq Abu

Television

Year Program Role Channel Notes
2023Dancing starsJudgeAsianetDance reality show
2013Midukki Host Mazhavil Manoramareality show
2009Vodafone Thakadhimi contestant AsianetDance reality show

Web series

Accolades

Notes and References

  1. News: I take my words and actions seriously being a public figure: Rima Kallingal. The Times of India. 26 September 2019.
  2. Web site: Keerthy Ramachandran DC . Rima Kallingal: A bold and new face . 20 October 2011 . 1 December 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111019190629/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/kochi/rima-kallingal-bold-and-new-face-614 . 19 October 2011.
  3. News: You've got to react girl! . The Times of India. 18 January 2020 . 23 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180723211334/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Youve-got-to-react-girl/articleshow/12174436.cms . live .
  4. Web site: Playing by their own rules | Society . Times Crest . 20 July 2013 . 1 December 2013 . 13 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161013072212/http://www.timescrest.com/society/playing-by-their-own-rules-10379 . dead .
  5. Web site: Manorama Online | Rima Kallingal . Manoramanews.com . 1 December 2013 . 18 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200518005815/https://www.manoramanews.com/home.html/cgi-bin/mmonline.dll/portal/ep/common/pictureGalleryPopup.jsp?picGallery=%2FMM+Photo+Galleries%2FCampus%2FRima+Kallingal&BV_ID=@@@ . dead .
  6. Web site: Rima Kallingal strikes a pose . https://web.archive.org/web/20140129001927/http://www.sify.com/movies/Rima-Kallingal-strikes-a-pose-imagegallery-kollywood-lhzo8rhgefb.html?html=5 . dead . 29 January 2014 . Sify.
  7. Web site: Exclusive: Lal Jose's Tamil debut . Rediff.com . 1 December 2013 . 27 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927215259/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/nov/18slid3.htm . live .
  8. Web site: 2022-04-14 . Revisiting Rima Kallingal's 22 Female Kottayam: An uncompromising film . 2023-09-01 . The Indian Express . en . 1 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230901131801/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/rima-kallingal-celebrates-10-years-of-22-female-kottayam-7869055/ . live .
  9. Web site: Mollywood's small-budget films that did big wonders at the box office. The Times of India. 2 July 2016. 4 December 2016. 4 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160804143850/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/Mollywoods-small-budget-films-that-did-big-wonders-at-the-box-office/photostory/53020290.cms. live.
  10. News: Year of small films at southern box-office. Zee News. IANS. 25 December 2012. 4 July 2015. 3 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225839/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/regional/year-of-small-films-at-southern-box-office_125047.html. live.
  11. https://www.news18.com/news/india/malayalam-review-22-female-kottayam-is-excellent-475683.html Malayalam Review: '22 Female Kottayam' is excellent
  12. News: P.K. Ajith Kumar . 22 Female Kottayam's success has Rima on cloud nine . The Hindu . 7 May 2012 . 1 December 2013 . Chennai, India . 3 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203162903/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/22-female-kottayams-success-has-rima-on-cloud-nine/article3392318.ece . live .
  13. News: Shiba Kurian . A proud moment for '22 Female Kottayam' crew . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203052317/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-17/news-and-interviews/33248401_1_proud-moment-iftar-party-aashiq-abu . live . 3 December 2013 . 17 August 2012 . . 1 December 2013.
  14. Web site: I feel totally excited about 22 Female Kottayam . Rediff.com . 17 April 2012 . 1 December 2013 . 14 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131014070826/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-interview-with-rima-kallingal/20120417.htm . live .
  15. News: Kochi Times Film Awards '13- The Times of India Photogallery . The Times of India . 1 December 2013 . 3 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203114510/http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/awards/awards-and-honours/kochi-times-film-awards-13/articleshow/22006261.cms . live .
  16. News: Sajini Sahadevan . Quest for the smartest woman . The Hindu . 8 November 2012 . 1 December 2013 . Chennai, India . 3 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203214722/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/quest-for-the-smartest-woman/article4077192.ece . live .
  17. Web site: 2013-03-14 . Kerala Film Chamber bans Rima Kallingal and more . 2024-07-05 . News18.
  18. News: August Club: Intended classic turns dampener. K. Padmakumar. 27 April 2013. Malayala Manorama. 11 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130606124250/http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=13941936&tabId=1&programId=11565555&channelId=-1073865026&BV_ID=@@@. 6 June 2013. dead.
  19. Web site: Review: August Club Since 1969 is nothing great. Paresh C.. Palicha. 29 April 2013. Rediff.com. 11 May 2013.
  20. News: Anjana George. Rani Padmini is a visual treat: Manju. The Times of India. 23 October 2015. 16 October 2015.
  21. News: Virus is about how Kerala tackled Nipah outbreak unitedly. Sidhardhan. Sanjith. The Times of India. 4 September 2018. 23 November 2022.
  22. News: Surendhar M. K.. Kolaigaran pulls in Rs 6.8 cr from opening weekend in Tamil Nadu; Virus earns Rs 6 cr worldwide. 23 November 2022. Firstpost. 16 June 2019.
  23. News: The 25 best Malayalam films of the decade. The Hindu. 19 December 2019. 23 November 2022.
  24. News: Rani Padmini. Rediff.com. 23 October 2015. 25 October 2015.
  25. News: Rani Padmini Movie Review. The Times of India. 31 October 2015.
  26. Web site: Virus Movie Review: This Film About Nipah Outbreak Slowly Grows on You. Manu. Meera. News18. 7 June 2019. 23 November 2022.
  27. Web site: 'Virus' review: A compassionate, gripping medical thriller. www.thenewsminute.com. Sowmya. Rajendran. 7 June 2019. 23 November 2022.
  28. News: Praveen. S. R.. 2021-02-15. 'Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam' movie review: An experiment in 'captive' conversation. en-IN. The Hindu. 2021-02-22. 0971-751X.
  29. Web site: 13 February 2021 . IFF Kerala 2021: Don Palathara's Fascinating Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam, With Rima Kallingal And Jitin Puthenchery, Is Both Familiar And New.
  30. News: Rima Kallingal wins best actor award at Diorama Film Fest for 'Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam. The Week. 11 December 2020.
  31. Web site: 15 powerful female characters in Malayalam films that are slowly breaking stereotypes . https://web.archive.org/web/20180528133532/https://www.scoopwhoop.com/powerful-female-characters-malayalam-films/ . dead . Shalin . Jacob . 21 August 2017 . 28 May 2018 . ScoopWhoop.
  32. News: The best women-centric Malayalam films of the decade . https://web.archive.org/web/20200727133532/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/from-elsamma-enna-aankutty-to-uyare-the-definitive-women-centric-malayalam-films-of-the-decade/article30339114.ece/amp/ . live . Nita . Sathyendran . 20 December 2019 . 27 July 2020 . The Hindu. 18 December 2019 .
  33. Web site: 15 powerful female characters from Mollywood to Inspire You . 27 May 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180702202228/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/entertainment/15-powerful-female-characters-from-mollywood-to-inspire-you . 2 July 2018.
  34. News: Rima Kallingal: Kochi Times Most Desirable Woman 2012 . 23 September 2014 . Times of India . en.
  35. Web site: 2021-02-05 . Rima Kallingal announces closing down of Mamangam dance studio . 2023-03-30 . The News Minute. 30 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330195557/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rima-kallingal-announces-closing-down-mamangam-dance-studio-142878 . live .
  36. Web site: Ashiq Abu marries Rima Kallingal in a low key affair . https://web.archive.org/web/20131109235800/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/ashiq-abu-marries-rima-kallingal-in-a-low-key-affair/432047-71-175.html . dead . 9 November 2013 . News18. 18 January 2020.
  37. Web site: Rima Kallingal marries director Aashiq Abu . 1 November 2013 . Deccan Herald . 18 January 2020 . 29 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200329050548/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/366540/rima-kallingal-marries-director-aashiq.html . live .
  38. News: Rima Kallingal and Aashiq Abu tie the knot . The Times of India . 16 December 2013 . 8 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180108181437/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Rima-Kallingal-and-Aashiq-Abu-tie-the-knot/articleshow/25171884.cms . live .
  39. Web site: The ten who made Kerala Cafe possible . 2023-04-03 . Rediff.com. 4 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230604170343/http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/oct/29/slide-show-1-south-ten-directors-in-kerala-cafe.htm . live .
  40. Web site: A look at the Malayalam film Happy Husbands . 2023-04-03 . Rediff.com. 5 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230505143412/http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/nov/23/slide-show-1-south-malayalam-happy-husbands-in-pix.htm . live .
  41. Web site: Palicha . Paresh C. . Best of Luck: A flash of Priyadarshan . 2023-04-03 . Rediff.com. 3 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403185119/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-best-of-luck-review/20101118.htm . live .
  42. News: 2015-10-31 . 'City of God' on TV . The Times of India . 2023-04-02 . 0971-8257 . 3 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403000004/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/malayalam/city-of-god-on-tv/articleshow/49540392.cms . live .
  43. Web site: Palicha . Paresh C. . Review: Shankaranum Mohananum looks jaded . 2023-04-03 . Rediff.com. 3 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403185744/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-shankaranum-mohananum/20110613.htm . live .
  44. Web site: George . Meghna . First Look: Prithviraj's Indian Rupee . 2023-04-02 . Rediff.com. 3 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403000008/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/first-look-india-rupee/20110926.htm . live .
  45. Web site: Palicha . Paresh C. . Review: Unnam is off target . 2023-04-03 . Rediff.com. 3 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403185746/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-unnam-is-off-target/20120213.htm . live .
  46. Web site: Palicha . Paresh C. . Review: Husbands in Goa is hackneyed . 2023-04-02 . Rediff.com. 3 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230403000008/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-husbands-in-goa-is-hackneyed/20120924.htm . live .
  47. Web site: G . Vijay . First Look: Director Lal Jose's Ayalum Njanum Thammil . 2023-04-02 . Rediff.com. 1 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221101011425/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/first-look-ayalum-njanum-thammil/20120723.htm . live .
  48. Web site: Four Malayalam films to release this Christmas . 2023-03-30 . Rediff.com. 30 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330205622/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-south-four-big-malayalam-releases-this-christmas/20121220.htm . live .
  49. Web site: 2023-02-08 . Mollywood Actress Rima Kallingal Aces The Mediaeval Look in Her Latest Post . 2023-03-30 . News18. 30 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330194813/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/actress-rima-kallingal-embodies-an-old-soul-in-this-mediaeval-themed-photoshoot-7029439.html . live .
  50. News: Rima Kallingal, Suraj Venjaramoodu team up for a social satire . The Times of India . 2023-03-30 . 0971-8257 . 30 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330205904/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/rima-kallingal-suraj-venjaramoodu-team-up-for-a-social-satire/articleshow/58895302.cms . live .
  51. Web site: 2019-06-06 . Rima Kallingal opens up on her role as producer in Virus: 'I want my art to be strong and hard-hitting' . 2023-03-30 . Firstpost. 30 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330193907/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/rima-kallingal-opens-up-on-her-role-as-producer-in-virus-i-want-my-art-to-be-strong-and-hard-hitting-6767581.html . live .
  52. News: 2022-05-26 . Rima-Parvathy film Lalanna's Song gets entry into US market through Cannes . 2024-06-12 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  53. Web site: Aashiq Abu's Neelavelicham to release a day before . 2023-03-30 . Cinema Express. 26 March 2023 . 30 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330182933/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2023/mar/26/aashiq-abus-neelavelicham-to-releasea-day-before-41540.html . live .
  54. News: Aashiq Abu's 'Neelavelicham' gets a release date . The Times of India . 2023-03-30 . 0971-8257 . 30 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230330203817/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/aashiq-abus-neelavelicham-gets-a-release-date/articleshow/99083475.cms . live .
  55. Web site: Anurag Kashyap and Rima Kallingal to headline Delulu . Cinema Express. 16 September 2024 . 12 October 2024.
  56. Web site: 2020-02-26 . Zindagi inShort review: Short film anthology infuses hope and happiness . 2023-04-30 . The Hindustan Times. 30 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230430072943/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/zindagi-inshort-review-guneet-monga-s-rainbow-of-short-films-infuses-hope-and-happiness/story-6X41UBPgyf2zZrE4w2x1fO.html . live .
  57. News: Mohanlal, Blessy win Critics' award for 'Pranayam' . 29 January 2023 . . 18 May 2012 . https://archive.today/20120913085710/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/article3431213.ece?textsize=small&test=2 . 13 September 2012.
  58. News: Prithviraj and Rima Kallingal bag State film awards 2013. The Times of India. 31 December 2013.
  59. Web site: The Winners at the 60th Idea Filmfare Awards South. Filmfare. 28 December 2013.
  60. Web site: South Indian International Movie Awards - Malayalam . siima.in . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160528003132/http://siima.in/2013/winners.html . 2016-05-28.
  61. Web site: Vanitha Film awards went to the new generation stars: Fahadh & Reema. Asianet News. 14 February 2013. 14 May 2020.
  62. News: Winners of Vanitha Film Awards, 2015 . 23 September 2021 . Vinodadarshan . 26 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026182322/https://www.vinodadarshan.com/2015/03/winners-of-vanitha-film-awards-2015.html?m=1 . live.
  63. Web site: Vanitha Film Awards 2020 winners list. Malayala Manorama. 11 February 2020. 12 December 2020.

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