Mukesh (actor)

Mukesh
Mukesh at Mazhavil Manorama 2013
Born	Mukesh Babu (1961 -03-05) 5 March 1961 [1][2] Pattathanam, Kollam, Kerala, India
Occupation	Film Actor,Producer,Television host
Years active	1982–present
Spouse(s)	Saritha (m.1988–2011) <> Methil Devika (m.2013–present)
Children	Shravan, Tejas
Parent(s)	O. Madhavan, Vijayakumari

Mukesh (Born Mukesh Babu on 5 March 1961 in Pattathanam, Kollam, Kerala) is an Indian film actor and producer known for his work in Malayalam cinema.^[3]

Mukesh made his debut in the film Baloon (1982). He gained prominence for both his comedy and drama centred roles, in films such as Odaruthammava Aalariyam (1984), Boeing Boeing (1985), Shyama (1986), Adiverukal (1986), Thaniyavarthanam (1987), Sangam (1988) and Vandanam (1989). Mukesh's role as Gopalakrishnan in Ramji Rav Speaking (1989) saw a rebirth in his career, a new type of stock character emerged based on Mukesh's stardom. A youthful, funny, and fraudulent young man who had to go against the law due to life's pressures and circumstances. This period saw the shift of Mukesh as a bankable lead actor, especially due to the box-office success of In Harihar Nagar (1990) and Godfather (1991). This led to a series of low-budget comedy films such as Innathe Programme (1991), Ennodishtam Koodamo (1992), Poochakkaru Mani Kettum (1994), Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji (1994), Sipayi Lahala (1995), and Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Njanum (1995).

By the late 1990s, Mukesh continued his roles in comedy B movies. With films such as Mr. Clean (1996), Oru Mutham Mani Mutham (1997), Kalyana Kacheri (1997), Mattupetti Machan (1998), and Aakasha Ganga (1999). His more prominent roles would be in Siddique's Hitler (1996) and Friends (1999). He had a re-union with Priyadarshan with Kakkakuyil (2001). Post 2000, Mukesh went into another shift of his career. He started doing more character roles. Some of them being Chronic Bachelor (2003), Sethurama Iyer CBI (2004), Udayananu Tharam (2005), Rasathanthram (2006), Vinodayathra (2007), Naalu Pennungal (2007), Innathe Chintha Vishayam (2008). In 2007, Mukesh turned to production as well. He formed Lumiere Film Company along with Sreenivasan. Their first venture Katha Parayumpol (2007) was a commercial success. Their second film Thattathin Marayathu (2012) was a huge success as well. In 2009 he made a massive comeback through To Harihar Nagar in his evergreen role Mahadevan and it is the highest grossing film in his career till date. This comeback lead to many another boxoffice success with Mukesh in lead role In Ghost House Inn (2010), Mummy & Me (2010), Oru Marubhoomi Kadha (2011), Nadakame Ulakam (2011), Lucky Star(2013), Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 (2014),Adi Kapyare Kootamani(2015) and Two Countries(2015). In 2014, he won the Kerala film critcs award for his performance in English.

Personal life

Mukesh was born to theater artist and writer O. Madhavan and Vijayakumari, who is also an actress, at Kollam, Kerala. He has two sisters, Sandya Rajendran and Jayasree. Sandhya's husband, E.A. Rajendran is also a film actor. He had his primary education from Infant Jesus School Kollam and pursued B.Sc from Sree Narayana College, Kollam. He holds LLB from Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram. He acted in dramas before entering movie industry.^[1]

He was married to South Indian film actress Saritha and they have two sons Shravan, Tejas. Sravan is pursuing M.B.B.S at Ras Al Khaima University Dubai and Thejas is pursuing his undergraduate degree from Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand.^[4] Later, Mukesh married dancer Methil Devika on 24 October 2013.^[5] She worked as lecturer in the Department of Post-graduate Studies (Mohiniyattam/Kathakali/Koodiyattam) and at the Research Department, Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University, Kerala.^[6]

Acting career

Mukesh speaking in a programme conducted at Sharjah Book fair-2012

Mukesh began his career through the movie Balloon in 1982. In 1985, he acted in Mutharamkunnu P. O. directed by Sibi Malayil, with a script by Sreenivasan and story by Jagadeesh. Then came a series of slapstick comedies, often with Priyadarshan, like Ponnum Kudathinu Pottu, Akkare Ninnoru Maran, Boeing Boeing and Odaruthammava Aalariyaam. His breakthrough came in 1989 with the movie Ramji Rao Speaking directed by Siddique-Lal. Thereafter he established himself as a leading actor in the Malayalam film industry. In the early nineties Mukesh acted alongside Jayaram, Jagadeesh and Siddique in a number of low-budget comedy movies. His major hits were directed by duo Siddique-Lal. Apart from Ramji Rao Speaking, they worked together in In Harihar Nagar, Godfather, Hitler, Chronic Bachelor and Friends. The characters he played were usually of a young man doing something fraudulent under the pressure of circumstances. The best example of a film with such a character is Sipayi Lahala (1995) by Vinayan and written by Sreenivasan.

He portrayed the CBI officer Chacko in the four movies of the CBI series directed by K. Madhu. His supporting roles with Mohanlal received popularity. He maintains a close friendship with Mohanlal and has acted with him in films such as Hello My Dear Wrong Number, Thalavattam, Vandanam, Akkare Akkare Akkare, Kakkakuyil and Boeing Boeing. In the 2000s, he struggled a bit to escape an image trap. He has come back strongly with interesting supporting roles in Udayananu Tharam, Goal, Vinodayathra, Boy Friend, Kaiyoppu, Naalu Pennungal and Katha Parayumbol. He has been a part of many of Mohanlal's comedies, most of them directed by Priyadarshan.

Apart from acting, he also ventured into production with Sreenivasan. Their first movie, Katha Parayumbol, featured a cameo by Mammootty and was the biggest hit of the year. Mukesh was the host of Deal or No Deal, a Malayalam television program along the lines of Deal or No Deal which was aired on Surya TV and was a big success. Mukesh authored and published a book on his reminiscences and anecdotes from life.^[7] This book, in the Malayalam language, is titled Mukesh Kathakal – Jeevithathiley Nerum Narmavum.^[8] It is a collection of Mukesh's humorous experiences while he was a student at S. N. College, Kollam, and also contains some tales from his life as a movie actor. The book was a big hit.^[9]

Awards, honours and recognitions

• 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 Popular Film(Producer)-Kadha Parayumbol
• 2011 : ISC Award^[10]
• 2013 : Kerala Film Critics Association Awards^[11] - Second Best Actor - English, Vasanthathinte Kanalvazhikal

Filmography

Malayalam films

2010s

2000s

1990s

1980s

1. Varnam (1989)
2. Mudra (1989)
3. Ammavanu pattiya Amali (1989)
4. Vandanam (1989)
5. Ramji Rao Speaking (1989)
6. Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam (1989)
7. Mathu Kudayum Choodi (1989)
8. Aksharathettu (1989)
9. Jagratha (1989)
10. Varnatheru (1989)
11. Nair Saab (1989)
12. Mahayanam (1989)
13. Dinarathrangal (1988)
14. Sangam (1988)
15. Moonnam Mura (1988)
16. Aparan (1988)
17. Vicharana (1988)
18. Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988)
19. 1921 (1988)
20. P.C. 369 (1987)
21. Neeyethra Dhanya (1987)
22. Naradhan Keralathil (1987)
23. Manja Manthrangal (1987)
24. Adimakal Udamakal (1987)
25. Athinumappuram (1987)
26. Sruthi (1987) .... Pradeep
27. Kalam Mari Katha Mari (1987) .... Yusaf
28. Kottum Kuravayum (1987)
29. Kurukkan Rajavayi (1987)
30. Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
31. Yagagni(1987) .... Chinkan
32. Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986)
33. Thalavattam (1986)...Hari
34. Ponnum Kudthinu Pottu (1986)
35. Onnu Muthal Poojaym Vare (1986)
36. Hello My Dear Wrong Number (1986)
37. Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi (1986)
38. Shyama (1986)
39. Dheem Tharikida Thom (1986)
40. Ithile Iniyum Varu (1986) ... Ramu
41. Kshamichu Ennoru Vakku (1986)
42. Prathyekam Sradhikuka (1986)...Raju
43. Snehamulla Simham (1986)
44. Ilanjipookal (1986).... Rajendran
45. Atham Chithira Chothy (1986).... Rajan
46. Aalorungi Arangorungi (1986)
47. Koodanayum Kattu (1986)
48. Adiverukal (1986)
49. Katturubinu Kathukuttu (1986)... Soman
50. Naale Njangalude Vivaham (1986)
51. Ninnishttam Ennishttam (1986)
52. Mutharamkunnu P.O. (1985)...DILIP KUMAR
53. Kaiyum Thalayum Purathidaruthu (1985)
54. Boeing Boeing (1985)
55. Akalathe Ambili (1985) .... Ashokan
56. Akkare Ninnoru Maran (1985).... Pavitran..
57. Odaruthammava Aalariyam (1984)...... Gopan
58. Pinnilavu (1983)....Sabu
59. Ithu Njangalude Katha (1982)
60. Balloon (1982)

Tamil films

1. Naanum En Jamunavum (2012)
2. Ainthaam Padai (2009)
3. Jathi Malli (1992)
4. Manaivi Oru Manickam (1985)

As producer

• Katha Parayumbol (2007)
• Thattathin Marayathu (2012)

Television career

• Kodeeswaran (2000) (Surya TV) as host
• Super Talent (2009) (Surya TV) as anchor
• Deal or No Deal (2009) (Surya TV) as anchor
• Badai Bungalow (2014) (Asianet) as host
• Sell me the Answer (2015) (Asianet) as anchor
• Sambavami Yuge Yuge (Surya TV)

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 was with Mohanlal and was named Chayamukhi which was written and directed by Prasanth Narayanan.^[12] In the play, Mukesh played the role of Keechaka and Lal played Bheema.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mukesh (actor).

• Mukesh at the Internet Movie Database
• Orkut community of Mukesh
• Mukesh's movies in Malayalam Movies
• Mukesh at MSI