List of Malayalam film actors

This list outlines the names of popular lead film actors, who previously worked or are currently working in the Malayalam film industry, based in Kerala, India. The list is ordered by the year of their debut as a leading actor or the year of their landmark film. Actors who have starred in at least five films as lead are included in the list.

1930s

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Year Name Debut film Other notable films
1938 K. K. Aroor Balan Gnanambika (1940), Kerala Kesari (1950), Genova (1953)

1940s

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Sebastian Kunju Kunju Bhagavathar
Year Name Debut film Other notable films
1940 Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar Gnanambika Navalokam (1951), Sheriyo Thetto (1953), Vidhi Thanna Vilakku (1962)

1950s

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Prem Nazir
Year Name Debut film Other notable films
1952 Prem Nazir[1] Marumakal Murappennu (1965), Udhyogastha (1967), Iruttinte Athmavu (1967), Kallichellamma (1969), Virunnukari (1969)
Sathyan[2] Athmasakhi Anubhavangal Palichakal (1971), Karinizhal (1971), Kadalpalam (1969), Yakshi (1968)
1953 Adoor Bhasi Thiramala Thommante Makkal (1965), Kayamkulam Kochunni (1966), C.I.D. Nazir (1971)
1958 P. J. Antony Randidangazhi Bhargavi Nilayam (1964) Kurukshethram (1970), Manninte Maril (1979)

1960s

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Raghavan
Year Name Debut film Other notable films
1961 Jose Prakash[3] Bhakta Kuchela C.I.D. Nazir (1971), Love In Singapore (1980), Kottayam Kunjachan (1990)
1964 Madhu Bhargavi Nilayam Chemmeen (1965), Bobanum Moliyum (1971), Geethaanjali (2013)
Kuthiravattam Pappu Bhargavi Nilayam Lisa (1978), Aye Auto (1990), Manichitrathazhu (1993)
1968 Raghavan Kayalkkarayil Swami Ayyappan (1975), Hridhayathinte Nirangal (1979), Evidence (1998)

1970s

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Nedumudi Venu
Year Name Debut film Other notable films
1972 Thilakan Periyar Kireedam (1989), Spadikam (1995), Narasimham (2000), Pazhassi Raja (2009), Ustad Hotel (2012)
Innocent Nrithasala Gandhinagar 2nd Street (1986), Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), No.20 Madras Mail (1990), Vietnam Colony (1992), Big B (2007), Oru Indian Pranayakadha (2013)
1973 Vijayaraghavan Kaapalika Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), Big B (2007), Memories (2013), Porinju Mariam Jose (2019)
Sukumaran Nirmalyam Rajan Paranja Kadha (1978), Angadi (1980), Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988)
1974 Jagathy Sreekumar Kanyakumari Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988), Yoddha (1992), Chotta Mumbai (2007), Indian Rupee (2011)
1976 Jayan Panchami Sarapancharam (1979), Angadi (1980), Paalattu Kunjikkannan (1980), Manushya Mrugam (1980)
Sreenivasan Manimuzhakkam Aram + Aram = Kinnaram (1985), Kaalapani (1996), Traffic (2011), Aravindante Athidhikal (2018)
1978 Nedumudi Venu Thampu Thakara (1979), Venal (1981), Dr. Pasupathy (1990), Bheeshma Parvam (2022)
1979 Murali Njattadi Kireedam (1989), The King (1995), Runway (2004), Kochi Rajavu (2005)
Mamukkoya Anyarude Bhoomi Ponmuttayidunna Tharavu (1988), Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), Pazhassi Raja (2009), Kunjiramayanam (2015), Marakkar (2021)
Ashokan Peruvazhiyambalam In Harihar Nagar (1990), In Ghost House Inn (2010), Teja Bhai & Family (2011)

1980s

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Mohanlal
 
Mammootty
 
Siddique
Year Name Debut film Other notable films
1980 Shankar Manjil Virinja Pookkal Kadathu (1981), Oothikachiya Ponnu (1981), Ente Mohangal Poovaninju (1982), Veendum Chalikkunna Chakram (1984).
Mohanlal Thiranottam Chithram (1998),Kireedam (1989), No.20 Madras Mail (1990), Kilukkam (1991), Manichitrathazhu (1994), Spadikam (1995), Kaalapani (1996), Narasimham (2000), Raavanaprabhu (2001), Thanmathra(2005), Chotta Mumbai(2007),Drishyam(2013),Pulimurugan (2016), Lucifer (2019).
1981 Mammootty Ahimsa New Delhi (1987), Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989), Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988), Kottayam Kunjachan (1990), Sethurama Iyer CBI (2004), Rajamanikyam (2005), Big B(2007) Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (2009), Bheeshma Parvam (2022).
1982 Mukesh Ithu Njangalude Katha Ramji Rao Speaking (1989).,[4] Vandanam (1989), Aakasha Ganga (1999), 2 Harihar Nagar (2009), Philip's (2023)
1984 Jagadish My Dear Kuttichathan No.20 Madras Mail (1990), In Harihar Nagar (1990), Gramapanchayath (1998), Falimy (2023)
1985 Indrans Jwalanam CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed. (1994), Mannar Mathai Speaking (1995), Aadu (2015), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020), #Home (2021)
Siddique Aa Neram Alppa Dooram In Harihar Nagar (1990), Lelam (1997), Nandanam (2002), Chattambinadu (2009), Marakkar (2021)
Shammi Thilakan Irakal Praja (2001), Runway (2004), Neram (2013), Joji (2021), King of Kotha (2023)
1986 Suresh Gopi Niramulla Raavukal Thalastaanam (1992), Mafia (1993), Thenkasipattanam (2000), Bharathchandran I.P.S. (2005).
Harisree Ashokan Pappan Priyappetta Pappan Punjabi House (1998), C.I.D. Moosa (2003), Minnal Murali (2021)
1989 Jayaram Innale One Man Show (2001), Winter (2009), China Town (2011), Abraham Ozler (2024)
Saikumar Ramji Rao Speaking In Harihar Nagar (1990), Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum (1990), Chotta Mumbai (2007)

1990s

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Dileep
 
Kalabhavan Mani
 
Salim Kumar
Year Name Debut film Other notable films
1991 Prem Kumar Arangu Hitler Brothers (1997), James Bond (1999), Aravindante Athidhikal (2018)
1994 Dileep[5] Manathe Kottaram Punjabi House (1998), Ee Parakkum Thalika (2001), Meesa Madhavan (2002), C.I.D. Moosa (2003), Chanthupottu (2005), My Boss (2012), Two Countries (2015)
Lal Manathe Kottaram Thenkasipattanam (2000), Thommanum Makkalum (2005), Salt N' Pepper (2011), 2018 (2023)
Baburaj Beeshmacharyara Chotta Mumbai (2007), Salt N' Pepper (2011), Honey Bee (2013), Joji (2021)
1995 Biju Menon Mikhayelinte Santhathikal Mannar Mathai Speaking (1995), Marykkundoru Kunjaadu (2010), Ordinary (2012), Anarkali (2015), Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2020)
Kalabhavan Mani Aksharam Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum (1999), James Bond (1999), Sethurama Iyer CBI (2004), Chotta Mumbai (2007)
Joju George Mazhavilkoodaram Action Hero Biju (2016), IDI (2016), Joseph (2018), Iratta (2023), Antony (2023)
Vinayakan Maanthrikam Chathikkatha Chanthu (2004), Chotta Mumbai (2007), Kammatipaadam (2016), Jailer (2023)
Kottayam Nazeer Mimics Action 500 Brother's Day (2019), Keshu Ee Veedinte Nadhan (2021), Pappachan Olivilanu (2023)
1996 Salim Kumar Ishtamanu Nooru Vattam Thenkasipattanam (2000), C.I.D. Moosa (2003), Adaminte Makan Abu (2011)
1997 Kunchacko Boban[6] Aniyathipraavu Nakshatratharattu (1998), Niram (1999), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020)
Lal Kaliyattam Thenkasipattanam (2000), Thommanum Makkalum (2005), Honey Bee (2013), 2018 (2023)

2000s

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Suraj Venjaramoodu
 
Jayasurya
 
Vineeth Sreenivasan
Year Name Debut film Other notable films
2001 Suraj Venjaramoodu Ladies & Gentleman Chattambinadu (2009), Teja Bhai & Family (2011), Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 (2019), Jana Gana Mana (2022)
2002 Jishnu Raghavan Nammal Nerariyan CBI (2005), Chakkaramuthu (2006), Ordinary (2012), Ustad Hotel (2012), Annum Innum Ennum (2013)
Prithviraj Sukumaran Nandanam Indian Rupee (2011), Celluloid (2013), Memories, Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2020), Jana Gana Mana (2022), The Goat Life (2024)
Indrajith Sukumaran Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan Chanthupottu (2005), Amen (2013), Lucifer (2019)
2002 Jayasurya Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan Pulival Kalyanam (2003), Chathikkatha Chanthu (2004), Chocolate (2007), Classmates (2006), Aadu (2015)
Fahadh Faasil Kaiyethum Doorath Amen (2013), Bangalore Days (2014), Njan Prakashan(2018), Joji (2021), Aavesham (2024)
2005 Saiju Kurup Mayookham Aadu (2015), Antakshari (2022), Pappachan Olivilanu (2023)
2007 Jaffar Idukki Kaiyoppu Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan (2016), Ajagajantharam (2021), Churuli (2021)
2008 Vineeth Sreenivasan Cycle Traffic (2011), Kunjiramayanam (2015), Aravindante Athidhikal (2018), Mukundan Unni Associates (2022), 2018 (2023)
Ramesh Pisharody Positive Amar Akbar Anthony (2015), Aadupuliyattam (2016), Voice of Sathyanathan (2023)
2009 Asif Ali Ritu Salt N' Pepper (2011), Honey Bee (2013), Kooman (2022)

2010s

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Fahadh Faasil
 
Dulquer Salmaan
Year Name Debut film Other notable films
2010 Nivin Pauly[7] Malarvaadi Arts Club Thattathin Marayathu (2012), Oru Vadakkan Selfie, Premam (2015), Kayamkulam Kochunni (2018)
Aju Varghese Malarvaadi Arts Club Thattathin Marayathu (2012), Oru Vadakkan Selfie (2015), Phoenix (2023)
Dharmajan Bolgatty Paappi Appacha Aadu (2015), Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan (2016), Chunkzz (2017)
Chemban Vinod Jose Nayakan Aadu (2015), Ee.Ma.Yau. (2018), Porinju Mariam Jose (2019)
2011 Shine Tom Chacko Khaddama Ithihasa (2014), Kayamkulam Kochunni (2018), Kurup (film) (2021), Kurukkan (2023)
Sreenath Bhasi Pranayam Da Thadiya (2012), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020), Manjummel Boys (2024)
2012 Dulquer Salmaan Second Show Ustad Hotel (2012), ABCD (2013), Charlie (2015), Kurup (2021)
Sunny Wayne Second Show Aadu (2015), Anugraheethan Antony (2021), Kasargold (2023)
Arjun Ashokan Orkut Oru Ormakoot B.Tech (2018), Jan. E. Man (2021), Romancham (2023)
2013 Soubin Shahir Annayum Rasoolum Sudani from Nigeria (2018), Kumbalangi Nights (2019), Manjummel Boys (2024)
Neeraj Madhav Buddy Adi Kapyare Kootamani (2013), Lavakusha (2017), Gauthamante Radham (2020), RDX (2023)
Sharafudheen Neram Pretham (2016), Role Models (2017), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020)
Lukman Avaran Dayom Panthrandum Operation Java (2021), Ajagajantharam (2021), Thallumaala (2022),
Dhyan Sreenivasan Thira (film) Kunjiramayanam (2015), Adi Kapyare Kootamani (2015), Udal (2022)
Basil Joseph Up & Down: Mukalil Oralundu Jan. E. Man (2021), Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022), Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil (2024)
2014 Hareesh Kanaran Ulsaha Committee Kunjiramayanam (2015), Georgettan's Pooram (2017), Kallan D'Souza (2022)
2016 Vishnu Unnikrishnan Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan Oru Yamandan Premakadha (2019), Krishnankutty Pani Thudangi (2021), Vedikettu (2023), Anchakkallakokkan (2024)
Shane Nigam Kismath Parava (2017), Kumbalangi Nights (2019), Bhoothakaalam (2022), RDX (2023)
2017 Tovino Thomas Oru Mexican Aparatha Minnal Murali (2021), Thallumaala (2022), 2018 (2023)
Antony Varghese Angamaly Diaries Jallikattu (2019), Ajagajantharam (2021), RDX (2023)
2018 Pranav Mohanlal Aadhi Irupathiyonnaam Noottaandu (2019), Marakkar (2021), Hridayam (2022), Varshangalkku Shesham (2024)
Senthil Krishna Mohanlal Chalakkudikkaran Changathi (2018), Pathonpatham Noottandu (2022), Abraham Ozler (2024)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Vn, Aswin (2017-04-06). "Everlasting aura". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  2. ^ Venkiteswaran, C. S. (2012-11-08). "The indomitable Sathyan". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
  3. ^ Vn, Aswin (2017-04-06). "Everlasting aura". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  4. ^ ജ്യോതിഷ്, വി.ആര്‍. (21 October 2016). "ഫാസിൽ മനുഷ്യനെ പറ്റിക്കാൻ ഇറങ്ങിയിരിക്കുകയാണ്...റാംജിറാവുവിനൊപ്പം കഥകളും ഇറങ്ങി; സിദ്ദിഖ്–ലാൽ". Vanitha. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  5. ^ "The 'Being Human' Salmanification of 'Janapriya Nayakan' Dileep". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 24 August 2018.[dead link]
  6. ^ "Four decades of Kunchacko Boban". Retrieved 10 November 2017.
  7. ^ Srinivasan, Latha (16 May 2017). "Nivin Pauly's unstoppable rise: How he went from guy-next-door to bonafide superstar". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 14 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.