Mukesh

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. In a film career spanning four decades, he has acted in over 275 Malayalam films. His 1996 film Kaanaakkinaavu premiered at the IFFI and won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. He co-produced Kadha Parayumbol, which won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value. He also produced the 2012 film Thattathin Marayathu, which is considered one of the defining films of the Malayalam New Wave.

He was the chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy. Mukesh served as a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly representing the Kollam constituency from 2016 to 2026. He has two sisters, Sandhya Rajendran and Jayasree Shyamlal. 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 the Sree Narayana College in Kollam. He also holds a second bachelor's degree in law from The Kerala Law Academy Law College, Thiruvananthapuram.

Mukesh was active in the stage dramas before his entry into the film industry.

Acting career 1982–1989 Mukesh made his acting debut as a lead actor in the movie Balloon. Later, that same year he acted in the drama film Ithu Njangalude Katha, a remake of the Tamil-language film Palaivana Solai along with Sreenath and Sanghi Krishna. The film was a hit, with the film's songs becoming chartbusters. 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. His first major commercial hit came with the 1985 film Boeing Boeing, directed by Priyadarshan. He starred alongside Mohanlal as one of the leads in the movie. 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. The character of Chacko has over the years attained a cult status. He reprised his role as Chacko in the CBI series sequels in 1989, 2004, 2005 and 2022. The film gave Mukesh his major break. Ramji Rao Speaking is considered by audiences and critics to be one of the best comedy films made in Malayalam cinema. The film still has a huge cult following. The film has been subject to many memes, with Mukesh's dialogue in the film "Kambilipothappu" becoming a catchphrase.

1990–1999 In the beginning of the 1980, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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. Godfather became the longest running film in Malayalam film industry. 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. He starred in the critically acclaimed Kakkathollayiram in which he played the role of the brother to mentally ill woman. 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. 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. He then starred in Makkal Maahathmiam, which was written by Siddique-Lal. He then played the role of a petty thief in Manyanmar. This was his first onscreen pairing with Sreenivasan. The following year, he starred in the Balachandra Menon directorial Ammayane Sathyam. The film was also a box office success, running for 100 days in theatres. It ran for 125 days in theatres and was one of the highest grossers of the year. 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. The film was also commercially successful. The next year, all of his films except for Kalyana Kacheri, bombed at the box office. 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. It was remade in Tamil as Banda Paramasivam, in Hindi as Housefull 2. 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.

Later career

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.

Personal life He married South Indian film actress Saritha in 1988, and they have two sons. After a lengthy separation, they divorced in 2011. 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.

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. titled Mukesh Kathakal – Jeevithathiley Nerum Narmavum. It proved very successful. He authored another book, Mukesh Babu and Party in Dubai, published by DC Books in 2009, marketed as a "realistic campus novel".

Controversies Allegations from Former wife

Mukesh's former wife Saritha has alleged that he subjected her to emotional and physical abuse during their marriage. She also claimed that he had multiple extramarital affairs.

Casting Couch Allegations

In 2018, casting director Tess Joseph alleged that Mukesh had summoned her to his room multiple times around 19 years earlier. Mukesh denied the allegations.

Phone call leak controversy

In 2021, a student called Mukesh for help but was received rudely. The phone call's recording was circulated on social media, leading to criticism of Mukesh. Mukesh claimed that the phone call was targeted harassment and was politically motivated.

Hema Committee

After the publication of the Hema Committee report in 2024, an actress alleged that Mukesh had sexually harassed her.

On 24 September 2024, Mukesh was arrested by a Special Investigation Team in connection with a rape case. Following his arrest, Mukesh underwent a medical examination and potency test. He was subsequently released after being granted anticipatory bail by a sessions court earlier that month, as confirmed by his lawyer."

Political career

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. He won again from the same constituency in the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election. However, his victory margin came down from 17,611 in 2016 to 2072 in 2021. In the 2024 Indian general election, Mukesh contested for the Lok Sabha from the Kollam constituency but lost to N.K. Premachandran, the sitting UDF candidate.

Awards

2007 : Asianet Film Award for Best Film (Producer) – Kadha Parayumbol 2007 : Filmfare Award for Best Film – Malayalam (Producer) – Kadha Parayumbol 2007 : Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value-Kadha Parayumbol 2011 : ISC Award 2013 : Kerala Film Critics Association Awards - Second Best Actor - English: An Autumn in London, Vasanthathinte Kanal Vazhikalil

Filmography

Malayalam films

1980s Year Title Role Notes 1982 Balloon Chandu Ithu Njangalude Katha Ramankutty Daahikkunnavarude Vazhi 1983 Pinnilavu Sabu 1984 Odaruthammava Aalariyam Gopan 1985 Akkare Ninnoru Maran Pavitran Akalathe Ambili Ashokan Boeing Boeing Anil Kaiyum Thalayum Purathidaruthu Passenger Mutharamkunnu P.O. Dilip Kumar 1986 Ninnishtam Ennishtam Ramakrishna Pilla Naale Njangalude Vivaham Unni Katturumbinum Kathu Kuthu Soman Kaattuthee Adiverukal Ranger Sunny Varghese Koodanayum Kattu James Ennu Nathante Nimmi Sreeni Aalorungi Arangorungi Vinod Atham Chithira Chothy Rajan Ilanjipookal Rajendran Snehamulla Simham Mohan Menon Prathyekam Sradhikuka Raju Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku Satheesh Ithile Iniyum Varu Ramu Dheem Tharikida Thom Raghavan Shyama Harikumar Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi Jayan Hello My Dear Wrong Number Jacob, diamond thief Guest Role Onnu Muthal Poojaym Vare Man at icecream parlour Guest Role Ashtabandham Johnny Aval Kaathirunnu Avanum Ponnum Kudthinu Pottu College student Thalavattam Hari Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu Shivan 1987 Swargam Gopan Yagagni Chinkan Thaniyavarthanam Gopinathan Kurukkan Rajavayi Prathapan Nair Kottum Kuravayum Kalam Mari Katha Mari Yusaf Sruthi Pradeep Athinumappuram Adimakal Udamakal Jayan Manja Manthrangal Issac Naradhan Keralathil Narayanan Namboothiri Neeyethra Dhanya Suresh Panicker P.C. 369 Johny Vargheese 1988 1921 Haidrose Oru CBI Diary Kurippu Chacko Vicharana Kabeer Theerathinariyumo Thirayude vedana Aparan George Kutty Moonnam Mura Vinod Sangham Raju Oozham Ravi Dinarathrangal Ajayan 1989 Mahayanam Ravi Nair Saab Antony Varnatheru Jagratha Chacko Aksharathettu James Muthukkudayum Choodi Rajendran Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam Roy Mathew Ramji Rao Speaking Gopalakrishnan Vandanam Peter Kaliyikkal Ammavanu Pattiya Amali Suresh Mudra Shashi Varnam Gopan

1990s 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 Kalyanappittennu 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

2000s 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

2010s 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 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 Pachuvum Kovalanum Pachu Ninnishtam Ennishtam 2 Natakame Ulakam Omanakuttan 2012 Gruhanathan Vishvanathan/ GV Masters SP Ravi Shanker Navagatharkku Swagatham Rajasekharan aka Appettan My Boss Head of the IT firm 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 Masterpiece Vice principal Cherian Joseph 250th film 2018 Kalyanam Sahadevan Nair 2019 Ganagandharvan Aby Under World Padmanabhan Nair

2020s 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 Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum Rajan Philip's Philip Abraham 300th film Kadhikan Chandrasenan 2024 Iyer In Arabia Srinivasa Iyer Super Zindagi Mujeeb Virunnu John Abraham Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam Dysp Prem Kumar 2025 Mehfil Mullassery Rajagopal 2026

Tamil films Year Film Role Notes 1990 Manaivi Oru Manickam Ravi 1992 Jathi Malli Kesavan 2009 Ainthaam Padai Karunakaran 2013 Naanum En Jamunavum

As producer Katha Parayumbol (2007) Thattathin Marayathu (2012)

Television career

Radio anchor Laksham Laksham Pinnale (2013) (Reality show-Super 94.7 fm)

Theater performance Mukesh started Kalidasa Visual Magic for play productions. His first play Chayamukhi was in 2008 with Mohanlal and was written and directed by Prasanth Narayanan. He also appeared with his sister, Sandhya Rajendan and his wife Methil in the 2015 adaptation of Naaga, directed by Suveeran.