The Malayalam film industry has been testing new waters over the past decade and movie lovers have happily found themselves in the midst of beautifully written scripts and exceptionally cinematographed scenes from Mollywood. Malayalam Actors have been on top of their game, working to bring out carefully woven stories to entertain, educate and influence their audience.
Kerala Insider has curated a list of the topmost influential Actors from Mollywood that have gifted us with some megahits in the past year!
Mohanlal (@mohanlal)
There is really nothing to be said of this acting King, his movies speak for him. Mohanlal has given his all to cinema, he has acted in over 360 movies. His recent movies are Lucifer, Ittymani and Kaappaan. Lucifer was quite the box office hit, making the 100 crore club, it was also actor Prithviraj’s directorial debut. Mohanlal has numerous accolades to his name and it would only be right to address him as Padmasree Bharath Lieutenant Colonel Dr Mohanlal.
Mammootty (@mammootty)
Mammootty needs no introduction, he is known by movie lovers of India as an evergreen idol. He has appeared in over 400 films in his career that has spanned for four decades. Mammootty released movies Unda, Mamangam and Pathinettam Padi last year, all of which were celebrated by his fans all around the world. He has received 3 National Film Awards and 7 Kerala State Film Awards.
Prithviraj Sukumaran (@therealprithvi)
Prithviraj is known for being a dedicated and extremely passionate actor. Watching his interviews one can understand his love for cinema and all its different aspects. He has also directed the movie Lucifer, starring Mohanlal, which blew the box office away. Prithviraj is known to be currently working on the movie Aadujeevithan which he shot in Jordan. His recent movies Ayyappanum Koshiyum, Driving License and Brother’s Day were all interesting stories that pulled the Malayalam audience into theatres.
Fahadh Faasil
An incredible variety of movies were bought to the forefront by Fahadh in recent years. Whether it is Psycho Shammi from Kumbalangi Nights or Pastor Joshua in Trance, Fahadh has brought forward captivating characters for his audiences. His movie Athiran also has an uncommon storyline. He has a National Award and 2 Kerala State Film Awards to his name.
Suraj Venjaramoodu (@surajvenjaramoodu)
Suraj is what one can call a versatile actor, starting off with comedy and now venturing into extremely serious and complex characters, he has proved his acting talents to the Malayali audience. Suraj has acted in more than 250 movies in the span of his career. His recent movies Driving License and Android Kunjappan sees him portraying deeply captivating roles. Suraj works on numerous films and in each he plays characters that are very unique.
Tovino Thomas (@tovinothomas)
Tovino Thomas made his acing debut in 2012 and shot to the top in no time. He worked in quite a few films in 2019 all of which were welcomed by the audience for its quality. Forensic, Edakkad Battalion 06, Kalki, and Luca were some of the movies that peaked the interests of many. He was also seen in Uyare and Virus, both movies being portrayals of real social situations.
Parvathy Thiruvothu (@par_vathy)
Parvathy Thiruvothu has given life to so many interesting characters over the past few years. From the young girl in Notebook, Parvathy has evolved into a powerful actress with time. She was seen in both Uyare and Virus portraying very important characters in the movie. Parvathy has also worked in Tamil, Kannada and Hindi movies . She won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress two times.
Manju Warrier (@manju.warrier)
After a long break, Manju Warrier revived her career in 2014 and entered the hearts of her audience as if she never left. She keeps bringing forward extremely female centric movies that addresses social concerns. Manju is seen to portray a very powerful character in her recent movie Prathi Poovankozhi which shines light on sexual assaults on women and the inhibited frustration of these women. Manju has also played an important tole in Mohanlal’s Lucifer. Manju has won the National Film Award and Kerala State Award among many others.
Soubin Shahir (@soubinshahir)
Soubin Shahir is a favourite among the Mollywood audience, people look forward to his films in promise that they won’t fail to entertain. He has been part of many interesting projects in the past year including Kumbalangi Nights and Android Kunjappan. He made his acting debut in 2013. Soubin’s directorial debut Parava was also a recipient of several critical acclamations. He has also won a Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his work in Sudani from Nigeria.
Nivin Pauly (@nivinpaulyactor)
Nivin Pauly is yet another gem of the Malayalam film industry. He has been making the industry proud with his work in Moothon. Nivin portrays a very unique and complex character in Moothon which is worthy of all the praise in the world. He has worked in the movies Love, Action, Drama and Michael in the past year. Nivin won the Kerala State Film Award in 2015 for Bangalore Days and 1983.
Mamta Mohandas (@mamtamohan)
Mamta has been around for a long while, during which time she has given her audience a lot of incredible work. She also won a Kerala State Film Award in 2010. Mamta has recently been part of Forensic, Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel and 9. She is an extremely talented actress with a very strong fan following.
Dulquer Salmaan (@dqsalmaan)
Dulquer Salmaan is one of the most loved actors of his generation both for his style and acting. He has been branching out to different film industries including to Tamil, Telegu and Hindi. DQ’s most recent films include Varane Avashyamund, Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal, Oru Yamandan Premakadha and The Zoya Factor in Bollywood. He won the Kerala State Award for Best Actor for his movie Charlie in 2016.
Joju George (@joju_george)
Joseph George, most popularly known by his screen name Joju George, has gifted the people with amazing movies with great storylines in recent years. His movies Joseph, Porunju Mariam Jose, Virus and June gave him the opportunity to excel in while portraying exemplary characters. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actor for Joseph.
Chemban Vinod (@chembanvinod)
Chemban Vinod Jose is an actor, producer and screenwriter. He made his acting debut in 2010. He played notable characters in movies Trance, Porinju Mariam Jose and Jallikattu. Chemban is yet another actor who plays very interesting characters in the movies he works in. He also starred in the movie Puzhikkadakan. Chemban Vinod was awarded the Silver Peacock award for Best Actor for the movie Ee Ma Yau, he is the first Malayalam actor to win this prestigious award.
Aiswarya Lekshmi (@aishu__)
Aiswarya Lekshmi made her acting debut in 2017 and it didn’t take her long to capture the hearts of the malayalee audience. She has been seen in many movies after that. Aiswarya’s recent movies include Brother’s Day, Vijay Superum Pournamiyum and Argentina Fans Kaattoorkadavu. She has a very candid nature and has been seen to be very down to earth in her interviews and interactions with fans.
Nimisha Sajayan (@nimisha_sajayan)
Nimisha made her acting debut in Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum and has been part of critically appraised movies ever since. Her recent movies include Stand Up, Nalpathiyonnu and Chola. Nimisha also won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress in 2018. She is a very talented actress and her hard work and talent has shone through all her characters.
Neeraj Madav (@neeraj_madhav)
Neeraj Madhav is a young actor that has been part of many good movies. He recently released a rap song pani paali which has been making its rounds through all social media. Neeraj starred in the beautiful movie Gauthamante Radham and was also part of the Amazon Original The Family Man. Neeraj Madhav is also a talented dancer.
Rajisha Vijayan (@rajishavijayan)
Rajisha Vijayan made her debut in 2017. She has recently done three back-to-back movies in which she carries the weight of the film. June, Stand up and Finals by Rajisha were accepted wholeheartedly by the malayalee audience. She has also won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for her debut movie Anuraga Karikkin Vellam.
Kunchacko Boban (@kunchacks)
Kunchako Boban has been part of the industry for a long time and has been consistently delivering good movies to the people. He has acted in over 100 movies in the past 2 decades. Kunchako has recently been part of movies Virus and Anjaam Pathira, both of which were a success. Anjaam Pathira has been credited by many as one of the best thrillers the malayalam industry has seen in a long while.
Anna Ben (@benanna_love)
Anna Ben made her debut last year with the movie Kumbalangi Nigths. She has been part of two other movies since then, in both of which she plays a very crucial role. She starred in the movie Helen and the recent Kappela, and has not failed to make her place in the minds of movie lovers. She has just began her career and from the looks of things we can expect much more incredible work from her!