by Mukesh-born Mukesh Madhavan is an Indian producer, television presenter, actor, and politician known for his work predominantly in Malayalam cinema. He is best known for his comedy roles and has been a popular leading actor in Malayalam cinema since the 70s. He was the chairman of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy. Mukesh is the current MLA representing the Kollam constituency of Kerala state. As of June 2021, he has acted in over 260 Malayalam films.
| Preceded by | P. K. Gurudasan |
| Constituency | Kollam |
| Born | Mukesh Madhavan Kollam district, Kerala, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political party | Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
| Spouse(s) | Saritha (married 1988; divorce 2011)
Methil Devika (married 2013; divorce 2021) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | O. Madhavan
Vijayakumari |
| Relatives | Divyadarshan (Nephew) |
| Occupation | ActorFilm producerTV hostPolitician |
Mukesh Early and Personal Life
Mukesh was born to actors O. Madhavan and Vijayakumari, in Kollam, Kerala, India on 5 March 1956. He has two sisters, Sandhya Rajendran and Jayasree. Sandhya and her husband, E.A. Rajendran are also actors (stage and film). He attended Infant Jesus School, Tangasseri, and pursued a bachelor’s degree in science (B.Sc.) from Sree Narayana College in Kollam. He holds a second bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from Kerala Law Academy Law College, Thiruvananthapuram. He acted in dramas before entering the movie industry.
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 film Kalyanam.
Mukesh married dance scholar Methil Devika on 24 October 2013. The couple filed for divorce in 2021.
He was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly from the Kollam constituency in the election of 2016.
Acting Career of Muskesh
1982–1988
Mukesh began his career in the movie Balloon in 1982. In 1985, he acted in Mutharamkunnu P.O., directed by Sibi Malayil, with a script by Sreenivasan and a story by Jagadeesh. Then came a series of slapstick comedies, often with Priyadarshan, such as Ponnum Kudathinu Pottu, Akkare Ninnoru Maran, Boeing Boeing, and Odaruthammava Aalariyam.
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 between 1985 and 2000. He maintains a close friendship with Mohanlal and has acted with him in films in supporting roles such as Hello My Dear Wrong Number, Thalavattam, Vandanam, Akkare Akkare Akkare, Kakkakuyil, and Boeing Boeing.
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.
1989–2014
In the early nineties, Mukesh acted alongside actors Innocent, Jagathy Sreekumar, Jayaram, Jagadeesh, and Siddique in a number of comedy movies that met with critical acclaim. His most popular films were directed by the duo Siddique-Lal. Apart from Ramji Rao Speaking, they worked together in In Harihar Nagar, Godfather. Later director Siddique directed him in Hitler, Chronic Bachelor, and Friends. Even director Lal repeated him in the sequels to In Harihar Nagar, Harihar Nagar 2, and In Ghost House Inn.
It was in late 2008 that the media felt his career would get over but he bagged projects with Satyan Anthikad, director Siddique, Lal, and other than these had hits like Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policum, Kancheepurathe Kalyanam, Vinodayatra, Pathinonnil Vyazham, Innate Chintha Vishayam, and Bharya Swantham Suhruthu.
Later career
In the early 2010s, he struggled to escape an image trap. Regardless, he came back 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.
Mukesh at Kollam, during the election campaign in 2016
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.
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 – Jeevithathile Nerium Narmavum. It proved very successful.
He is now acting in Badai bungalow, a comedy and celebrity talk show hosted by Ramesh Pisharody, launched on Asianet from 2013
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[13]
2013: Kerala Film Critics Association Awards[14] – Second Best Actor – English: An Autumn in London, Vasanthathinte Kanal Vazhikalil
2016: Asianet Special Awards- Multifaceted personality of the year
