Rima Kallingal is an Indian actress and film producer who primarily works in Malayalam films.[1]

Rima Kallingal
Kallingal in 2016
Born
NationalityIndian
Alma materChrist University
Occupations
Years active2009–present
Spouse
(m. 2013)

Early life and work

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Born in Thrissur, Kerala, Kallingal began practising dancing when she was three years old.[2] A dancer by profession, she has been a part of a dance company called Nritarutya and has had performances on national and international stages.

She studied at Stanes Schools, Coonoor up to Fifth grade.[3] She completed her schooling at Chinmaya Vidyalayas, Thrissur, graduating in 2001. She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the Christ University, Bengaluru.[4][5] She is also skilled in Taekwondo (Korean martial art), Chao (Manipuri martial art) and Kalari.[2]

She was a semi-finalist of the Asianet reality show Vodafone Thakadhimi. She moved to Bengaluru to pursue a modelling career and later participated in the Miss Kerala beauty pageant, in which she became the first runner-up, losing to Shree Thulasi in a tie-breaker.[6]

Career

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Kallingal was spotted by director Lal Jose on a magazine cover, who cast her as a goat herder role in a Tamil film Mazhai Varappoguthu.[7] The project didn't materialise, but she was offered the lead female character of Varsha by director Shyamaprasad for Ritu, which eventually marked her acting debut.[6] She was 25 when she acted in the film.[4]

In 2012, Kallingal played a nurse and rape victim in 22 Female Kottayam opposite Fahadh Faasil,[8] which had a decent run at the box office.[9][10] A critic of News18 noted, "The film belongs to Rima who sinks into the skin of the character with a spectacular performance."[11][12] The film earned her Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam and Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress.[13][14][15] After 22 Female Kottayam, she said that she had made some mistakes in her career and stated "Yes, I have done a few films I never should have, but I am determined not to repeat those mistakes".[12]

In 2013, Kallingal turned television anchor with the Mazhavil Manorama show "Midukki".[16] Following which the Kerala Film Chamber imposed a ban on her which was later revoked.[17] That year, Kallingal played a young housewife in August Club.[18] Paresh C Palicha of Rediff.com noted, "Rima as Savithri, is someone who has learnt to stifle her feelings and finding other ways to give them an outlet."[19]

Her other notable films include the 2015 film Rani Padmini alongside Manju Warrier and the 2019 film Virus alongside an ensemble cast.[20][21] Both films emerged commercial successes.[22][23] In Rani Padmini, she played a tomboy.[24] Deepa Soman was appreciative of her "knockout performance".[25] In Virus, she played a nurse battle the deadly disease.[26] Sowmya Rajendran found her performance "expressive".[27]

In the 2021 film, Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam, Kallingal played an entertainment reporter opposite Jitin Puthenchery.[28] Baradwaj Rangan found her to be "terrific".[29] The film won her Best Actress at the Diorama International Film Festival.[30]

Media image

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Kallingal in 2018

Kallingal's roles from 22 Female Kottayam, August Club and Rani Padmini are considered among the strongest female character in Malayalam films.[31][32][33] Kallingal was named the Kochi Times Most Desirable Women in 2012.[34] In 2014, she set up her own dance institute, named Mamangam in Kochi. It was later was shut down in 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[35]

Personal life

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Kallingal married director Aashiq Abu on 1 November 2013, in a simple court wedding in Kochi.[36] As part of the occasion, the couple donated Rs 1 million towards the welfare of poor cancer patients at the General Hospital, Ernakulam, and Rs 25,000 to meet a day's expense of the dietary kitchen at the hospital.[37][38]

Filmography

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As actress

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  • All projects are in Malayalam language unless noted
Year Film Role Notes
2009 Ritu Varsha John Malayalam debut[35]
Kerala Cafe Grand daughter Segment : Mrityunjayam[39]
Neelathaamara Shaarath Ammini
2010 Happy Husbands Diana [40]
Best of Luck Diya [41]
2011 City of God Surya Prabha [42]
Ko Herself Tamil debut
Special appearance
Shankaranum Mohananum Jyotsna Mathew [43]
Yuvan Yuvathi Nisha Tamil film
Sevenes Aravindan's sister
Doubles Seetha Lakshmi Cameo appearance
Indian Rupee Beena [44]
2012 Orkut Oru Ormakoot Crystal Falth Ritz
Unnam Jennifer [45]
Nidra Ashwathy [35]
22 Female Kottayam Tessa Kurissuparambil Abraham [35]
Husbands in Goa Tina [46]
Ayalum Njanum Thammil Diya [47]
Bavuttiyude Namathil Noorjahan [48]
2013 Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath Mahalakshmi
Natholi Oru Cheriya Meenalla Annie
August Club Savithri
Zachariayude Garbhinikal Fathima
Escape from Uganda Shikha Samuel
Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal Sini Alex
2015 Chirakodinja Kinavukal Sumathi
Rani Padmini Rani [49]
2017 Kaadu Pookkunna Neram Maoist
Clint Chinnamma
2018 Aabhaasam Passenger [50]
2019 Virus Nurse Akhila also producer[51]
2021 Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam Maria [35]
Chithirai Sevvaanam Asha Nair Tamil film[49]
2022 Lalanna's Song Miriam [52]
2023 Neelavelicham Bhargavi Also producer[53][54]
TBA Delulu TBA Filming[55]

As producer

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Year Title Director Notes
2014 Gangster Aashiq Abu Associate producer
2016 Maheshinte Prathikaaram Dileesh Pothan Associate producer
2017 Mayanadi Aashiq Abu Associate producer
2018 Ee.Ma.Yau Lijo Jose Pellissery Associate producer
2019 Virus Aashiq Abu Co-produced with Aashiq Abu
2021 Bheemante Vazhi Ashraf Hamza Co-produced with Chemban Vinod Jose and Aashiq Abu
2022 Naaradan Aashiq Abu Co-produced with Santhosh T. Kuruvilla and Aashiq Abu
2023 Neelavelicham Aashiq Abu Co-produced with Aashiq Abu[53]

Television

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Year Program Role Channel Notes
2023 Dancing stars Judge Asianet Dance reality show
2013 Midukki Host Mazhavil Manorama reality show
2009 Vodafone Thakadhimi contestant Asianet Dance reality show

Web series

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Year Title Role Language Notes Ref.
2021 Zindagi in Short Dr. Kavya Menon Hindi Segment: "Sunny Side Upar" [56]

Accolades

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References

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  1. ^ "I take my words and actions seriously being a public figure: Rima Kallingal". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  2. ^ a b Keerthy Ramachandran DC (20 October 2011). "Rima Kallingal: A bold and new face". Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  3. ^ "You've got to react girl!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Playing by their own rules | Society". Times Crest. 20 July 2013. Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  5. ^ "Manorama Online | Rima Kallingal". Manoramanews.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Rima Kallingal strikes a pose". Sify. Archived from the original on 29 January 2014.
  7. ^ "Exclusive: Lal Jose's Tamil debut". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  8. ^ "Revisiting Rima Kallingal's 22 Female Kottayam: An uncompromising film". The Indian Express. 14 April 2022. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Mollywood's small-budget films that did big wonders at the box office". The Times of India. 2 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  10. ^ IANS (25 December 2012). "Year of small films at southern box-office". Zee News. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  11. ^ Malayalam Review: '22 Female Kottayam' is excellent News18 Retrieved 29 November 2012
  12. ^ a b P.K. Ajith Kumar (7 May 2012). "22 Female Kottayam's success has Rima on cloud nine". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  13. ^ Shiba Kurian (17 August 2012). "A proud moment for '22 Female Kottayam' crew". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  14. ^ "I feel totally excited about 22 Female Kottayam". Rediff.com. 17 April 2012. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  15. ^ "Kochi Times Film Awards '13- The Times of India Photogallery". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  16. ^ Sajini Sahadevan (8 November 2012). "Quest for the smartest woman". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  17. ^ "Kerala Film Chamber bans Rima Kallingal and more". News18. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  18. ^ Padmakumar, K (27 April 2013). "August Club: Intended classic turns dampener". Malayala Manorama. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  19. ^ Palicha, Paresh C. (29 April 2013). "Review: August Club Since 1969 is nothing great". Rediff.com. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  20. ^ Anjana George (16 October 2015). "Rani Padmini is a visual treat: Manju". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  21. ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (4 September 2018). "Virus is about how Kerala tackled Nipah outbreak unitedly". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  22. ^ Surendhar M. K. (16 June 2019). "Kolaigaran pulls in Rs 6.8 cr from opening weekend in Tamil Nadu; Virus earns Rs 6 cr worldwide". Firstpost. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  23. ^ "The 25 best Malayalam films of the decade". The Hindu. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  24. ^ "Rani Padmini". Rediff.com. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  25. ^ "Rani Padmini Movie Review". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  26. ^ Manu, Meera (7 June 2019). "Virus Movie Review: This Film About Nipah Outbreak Slowly Grows on You". News18. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  27. ^ Rajendran, Sowmya (7 June 2019). "'Virus' review: A compassionate, gripping medical thriller". www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  28. ^ Praveen, S. R. (15 February 2021). "'Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam' movie review: An experiment in 'captive' conversation". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  29. ^ "IFF Kerala 2021: Don Palathara's Fascinating Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam, With Rima Kallingal And Jitin Puthenchery, Is Both Familiar And New". 13 February 2021.
  30. ^ "Rima Kallingal wins best actor award at Diorama Film Fest for 'Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam". The Week. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  31. ^ Jacob, Shalin. "15 powerful female characters in Malayalam films that are slowly breaking stereotypes". ScoopWhoop. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  32. ^ Sathyendran, Nita (18 December 2019). "The best women-centric Malayalam films of the decade". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
  33. ^ "15 powerful female characters from Mollywood to Inspire You". Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  34. ^ "Rima Kallingal: Kochi Times Most Desirable Woman 2012". Times of India. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  35. ^ a b c d e "Rima Kallingal announces closing down of Mamangam dance studio". The News Minute. 5 February 2021. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  36. ^ "Ashiq Abu marries Rima Kallingal in a low key affair". News18. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  37. ^ "Rima Kallingal marries director Aashiq Abu". Deccan Herald. 1 November 2013. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  38. ^ "Rima Kallingal and Aashiq Abu tie the knot". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  39. ^ "The ten who made Kerala Cafe possible". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  40. ^ "A look at the Malayalam film Happy Husbands". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  41. ^ Palicha, Paresh C. "Best of Luck: A flash of Priyadarshan". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  42. ^ "'City of God' on TV". The Times of India. 31 October 2015. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  43. ^ Palicha, Paresh C. "Review: Shankaranum Mohananum looks jaded". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  44. ^ George, Meghna. "First Look: Prithviraj's Indian Rupee". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  45. ^ Palicha, Paresh C. "Review: Unnam is off target". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  46. ^ Palicha, Paresh C. "Review: Husbands in Goa is hackneyed". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  47. ^ G, Vijay. "First Look: Director Lal Jose's Ayalum Njanum Thammil". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  48. ^ "Four Malayalam films to release this Christmas". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  49. ^ a b "Mollywood Actress Rima Kallingal Aces The Mediaeval Look in Her Latest Post". News18. 8 February 2023. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  50. ^ "Rima Kallingal, Suraj Venjaramoodu team up for a social satire". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  51. ^ "Rima Kallingal opens up on her role as producer in Virus: 'I want my art to be strong and hard-hitting'". Firstpost. 6 June 2019. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  52. ^ "Rima-Parvathy film Lalanna's Song gets entry into US market through Cannes". The Times of India. 26 May 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  53. ^ a b "Aashiq Abu's Neelavelicham to release a day before". Cinema Express. 26 March 2023. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  54. ^ "Aashiq Abu's 'Neelavelicham' gets a release date". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  55. ^ "Anurag Kashyap and Rima Kallingal to headline Delulu". Cinema Express. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  56. ^ "Zindagi inShort review: Short film anthology infuses hope and happiness". The Hindustan Times. 26 February 2020. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  57. ^ "Mohanlal, Blessy win Critics' award for 'Pranayam'". The Hindu. 18 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  58. ^ "Prithviraj and Rima Kallingal bag State film awards 2013". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  59. ^ "The Winners at the 60th Idea Filmfare Awards South". Filmfare. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  60. ^ "South Indian International Movie Awards - Malayalam". siima.in. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016.
  61. ^ "Vanitha Film awards went to the new generation stars: Fahadh & Reema". Asianet News. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  62. ^ "Winners of Vanitha Film Awards, 2015". Vinodadarshan. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  63. ^ "Vanitha Film Awards 2020 winners list". Malayala Manorama. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
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