Mukesh (actor)

Mukesh
File:REALMUK.png Mukesh in 2024
Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 2 June 2016 (2016-06-02)
Preceded by	P. K. Gurudasan
Constituency	Kollam
Personal details
Born	Mukesh Babu<ref>"AmmAKerala". AmmaKerala.com. Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. Retrieved 25 April 2024.</ref> (1957-03-05) 5 March 1957 Kollam, Kerala, India
Political party	Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Spouse(s)	Saritha ​ ( m. 1988; div. 2011) Methil Devika ​ ( m. 2013; div. 2021)
Children	2
Parents	O. Madhavan (father) Vijayakumari (mother)
Relatives	Divyadarsan R. Engoor (nephew)
Occupation	Actor film producer TV host politician

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.<ref>"താരങ്ങളുടെ കിടപ്പറയില്‍ ഒളിഞ്ഞു നോക്കുന്നവരുണ്ട്‌". mangalam.com. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2014.</ref> In a film career spanning four decades, he has acted in over 275 Malayalam films.<ref name=":2" />

He made his onscreen debut in the 1982 film Balloon in the leading role.<ref>"Balloon (1982)". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 8 October 2022.</ref><ref>ജ്യോതിഷ്, വി.ആര്‍. (21 October 2016). "ഫാസിൽ മനുഷ്യനെ പറ്റിക്കാൻ ഇറങ്ങിയിരിക്കുകയാണ്...റാംജിറാവുവിനൊപ്പം കഥകളും ഇറങ്ങി; സിദ്ദിഖ്–ലാൽ". Vanitha. Retrieved 21 October 2016.</ref> His 1996 film Kaanaakkinaavu premiered at the IFFI and won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.<ref>Ray, Bibekananda; Joshi, Naveen (2005). Conscience of the race : India's offbeat cinema. New Delhi: Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. ISBN 81-230-1298-5. OCLC 70208425.</ref> He co-produced Kadha Parayumbol (2007), which won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value.<ref>"State Film Awards". 3 March 2016. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2022.</ref> He also produced the 2012 film Thattathin Marayathu, which is considered one of the defining films of the Malayalam New Wave.<ref>Kumar, Aswin J., "Thattathin Marayathu Movie Review {3.5/5}: Critic Review of Thattathin Marayathu by Times of India", The Times of India, retrieved 8 October 2022</ref>

He was the chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy. Mukesh is the current MLA representing the Kollam constituency of Kerala state.<ref name=":1" />

Early life

Mukesh was born to the actors O. Madhavan and Vijayakumari, in Kollam, Kerala, on the 5th of March 1957.<ref>"KLA Title M. Mukesh" (PDF). Fourteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly. Retrieved 12 July 2018.</ref> 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.<ref name="Mukesh's profile">"Mukesh's profile". cinedairy.com. Retrieved 3 June 2015.</ref>

Acting career

1982–1989

Mukesh made his acting debut as a lead actor in the movie Balloon.<ref>"Balloon (1982)". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 20 October 2022.</ref> 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.<ref>"Ithu Njangalude Kadha (1982)". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 20 October 2022.</ref> 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.<ref>"മുത്താരംകുന്ന് പി.ഒ. | 04Dec2020". Mathrubhumi. 5 August 2021. Archived from the original on 5 August 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2022.</ref> 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.<ref name=":3" /> Examples include Ninnishtam Ennishtam (1986), Adiverukal (1986), Hello My Dear Wrong Number (1986) and Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986). He also appeared in supporting roles to Mammootty in the late-80s with successful films like Snehamulla Simham (1986), Shyama (1986), Thaniyavarthanam (1987), 1921 (1988), Sangham (1988), Mahayanam (1989) and Nair Saab (1989). In 1988, he appeared as Chacko in the cult investigative thriller Oru CBI Diary Kurippu also featuring Mammootty.<ref>"Not just Sukumara Kurup: 6 spine-chilling real-life murders that have inspired Malayalam films". The News Minute. 19 June 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2022.</ref> The character of Chacko has over the years attained a cult status.<ref name=":4">Zachariah, Ammu. "Sethurama Iyer is coming back!". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 October 2022.</ref> He reprised his role as Chacko in the CBI series sequels in 1989, 2004, 2005 and 2022.<ref name=":4" /> Then, in 1989, he starred in Ramji Rao Speaking, a blockbuster that ran for 200 days in theatres and went on to become the second highest grossing film of the year.<ref>George, Vijay (7 November 2013). "Three of a kind". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 October 2022.</ref> The film gave Mukesh his major break.<ref>"ഫാസിൽ മനുഷ്യനെ പറ്റിക്കാൻ ഇറങ്ങിയിരിക്കുകയാണ്... റാംജിറാവുവിനൊപ്പം കഥകളും ഇറങ്ങി; സിദ്ദിഖ്–ലാൽ". ManoramaOnline. 25 October 2016. Archived from the original on 25 October 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2022.</ref> Ramji Rao Speaking is considered by audiences and critics to be one of the best comedy films made in Malayalam cinema.<ref name=":5">Praveen, S. r (24 March 2013). "Malayalam online in wonderful calligraphy". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 20 October 2022.</ref> The film still has a huge cult following.<ref>"Priyardarshan on 20 years of 'Hera Pheri': Humour can never die". The Times of India. Retrieved 20 October 2022.</ref> The film has been subject to many memes, with Mukesh's dialogue in the film "Kambilipothappu" becoming a catchphrase.<ref name=":5" /> He also starred alongside Mohanlal in Vandanam (1989), which is considered a cult classic in Malayalam cinema.<ref>"From Drishyam to Oppam, why Mohanlal's films are remade in other languages often". Firstpost. 26 December 2016.</ref>

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.<ref>"'Gandhinagar 2nd Street' to 'Nadodikkattu': Malayalam cinema's cult comedy classics". The News Minute. 10 February 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2022.</ref> 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.<ref>George, Vijay (2 January 2009). "The Hindu : Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram / On Location : Return to Harihar Nagar". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 31 January 2009.</ref> 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.<ref>BR, Rohith (20 April 2018). "Jharkhand mahouts to get Kannada lessons, jumbos to learn Hindi". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 October 2022.</ref> 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.<ref>தினத்தந்தி (28 July 2021). "நடிகர் முகேஷ் விவாகரத்து". www.dailythanthi.com (in தமிழ்). Retrieved 22 October 2022.</ref>

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.<ref>"Coronavirus outbreak: 'Tsunami' team calls off shoot". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 October 2022.</ref> Godfather became the longest running film in Malayalam film industry.<ref name=":6" /> The film established him as one of the major stars of the Malayalam film industry.<ref>"Spell of Mollywood Movies Released in 1991 Still Grips Hearts". The New Indian Express. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2022.</ref> 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.<ref>WEBDUNIA. "Thilakan excluded from Mookkilla Rajyathu? | മൂക്കില്ലാരാജ്യത്ത് 2: തിലകനെ ഒഴിവാക്കി?". malayalam.webdunia.com (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 25 October 2022.</ref> He starred in the critically acclaimed Kakkathollayiram in which he played the role of the brother to mentally ill woman.<ref>"+++++++++++++ official website of INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATION DEPARTMENT OF KERALA +++++++++++++". 3 March 2016. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2023.</ref> 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.<ref>"Souhrudam (1991)". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 25 October 2022.</ref> 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.<ref>"റോജാ മധു വരുന്നു; തനി വില്ലത്തിയായി | Cinema | Deshabhimani | Monday Dec 3, 2018". www.deshabhimani.com. Retrieved 25 October 2022.</ref> He then starred in Makkal Maahathmiam, which was written by Siddique-Lal.<ref>"Cine artiste Mohiyudheen dies". archive.ph. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)</ref> 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.<ref name=":7">"From not having a voice to owning it: Different dubbing trends in Malayalam cinema". The News Minute. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2022.</ref> The film was also a box office success, running for 100 days in theatres.<ref name=":7" /> The next year, he starred in Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji, another box office success.<ref name=":8">"இப்படியும் காப்பி அடிக்கலாம் - மலப்புறம் ஹாஜியும், பூவே உனக்காக விக்ரமனும்!". News18 Tamil (in தமிழ்). 13 April 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.</ref> It ran for 125 days in theatres and was one of the highest grossers of the year.<ref name=":8" />

He appeared in notable films such as Sipayi Lahala and Mannar Mathai Speaking (the sequel to Ramji Rao Speaking). He appeared in a supporting role to Mammootty in the 1996 comedy-drama film Hitler, directed by Siddique of the Siddique-Lal duo.<ref>"Hitler (1996)". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 31 October 2022.</ref> 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.<ref>"44th National Film Festival 1997" (PDF). 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2022.</ref> The film was also commercially successful.<ref>Ray, Bibekananda (2005). Conscience of the race : India's offbeat cinema. Naveen Joshi, India. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Publications Division. New Delhi: Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. ISBN 81-230-1298-5. OCLC 70208425.</ref> The next year, all of his films except for Kalyana Kacheri, bombed at the box office.<ref>"Kalyana Kacheri". Spicyonion.com. Retrieved 31 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)</ref> 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.<ref name="TOI.ur.2018.02.17">Ur, Arya (17 February 2018). "Sreelekshmi and Manju Pillai to visit Badai Bungalow - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 October 2022.</ref> It was remade in Tamil as Banda Paramasivam, in Hindi as Housefull 2.<ref name="TOI.ur.2018.02.17"/> He then made a cameo appearance as himself in the Sreekrishnapurathe Nakshathrathilakkam.<ref>"Malayalam cinema and the multiverse of misogyny". The Indian Express. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.</ref> 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.<ref>"Crippled by failed productions and losses, Malayalam film industry banks on sleaze". India Today. 26 June 2000. Retrieved 31 October 2022.</ref>

Later career

Mukesh in 2008

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.<ref>"'Badai Bungalow' - Inciting a Laugh Riot". The New Indian Express. 8 February 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2018.</ref>

Personal life

He married South Indian film actress Saritha in 1988, and they have two sons. After a lengthy separation, they divorced in 2011.<ref>"Mukesh - Malayalam actors who have married more than once". The Times of India. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2018.</ref><ref>mangalam. "Mangalam - Varika 3-Feb-2014". Mangalamvarika.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.</ref> Their elder son Shravan made his acting debut in the 2018 film Kalyanam. Mukesh married dance scholar Methil Devika on 24 October 2013.<ref name=":0">"ഇത് ഞങ്ങള്‍ കാത്തിരുന്ന വിവാഹം - articles, infocus_interview". Mathrubhumi.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.</ref><ref>Radhika C. Pillai (9 November 2013). "My marriage with Mukesh is an arranged one: Methil Devika". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2014.</ref> The couple filed for divorce in 2021.<ref>"Dancer Methil Devika announces divorce from actor-MLA Mukesh, sends legal notice". The News Minute. 27 July 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2024.</ref>

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.<ref name=":2">"എന്നെ ഒതുക്കാന്‍ നോക്കേണ്ടാ.., Interview". Mathrubhumi.com. 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2014.</ref> titled Mukesh Kathakal – Jeevithathiley Nerum Narmavum.<ref name=":3">"'Indulekha books: Mukesh Kathakal'". Archived from the original on 10 March 2009.</ref> It proved very successful.<ref>"His maiden work is a big hit". The Hindu. 15 February 2007. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 July 2018.</ref> He authored another book, Mukesh Babu and Party in Dubai, published by DC Books in 2009, marketed as a "realistic campus novel".<ref>Periera, Ignatius (28 August 2009). "A campus novel from Mukesh". The Hindu. Retrieved 25 April 2024.</ref>

Controversies

<big>Allegations from Former wife</big>

Mukesh's former wife Saritha has alleged that he subjected her to emotional and physical abuse during their marriage.<ref>"When actor Mukesh's first wife Saritha alleged he kicked her in the stomach when she was pregnant, revealed she kept quiet about abuse at his father's request". 28 August 2024.</ref> She also claimed that he had multiple extramarital affairs.<ref>"When Mukesh's first wife Saritha revealed, "He kicked me in the stomach while I was pregnant"". The Times of India. 4 September 2024.</ref>

<big>Casting Couch Allegations</big>

In 2018, casting director Tess Joseph alleged that Mukesh had summoned her to his room multiple times around 19 years earlier.<ref>"I left the place worried, didn't work on 'Koteeswaran' again: Tess Joseph on Mukesh". 9 October 2018.</ref> Mukesh denied the allegations.<ref>"Actor Mukesh in spotlight as casting director Tess Joseph rakes up harassment claim". 25 August 2024.</ref>

<big>Phone call leak controversy</big>

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.<ref>"Kollam MLA Mukesh kicks up row over phone call with school student". The New Indian Express. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2024.</ref>

<big>Hema Committee</big>

After the publication of the Hema Committee report in 2024, an actress alleged that Mukesh had sexually harassed her.<ref>"Two more women file police complaints against Malayalam film industry figures including actor-MLA Mukesh". The Indian Express. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.</ref><ref>Philip, Shaju (27 August 2024). "Two more women file police complaints against Malayalam film industry figures including actor-MLA Mukesh". Mint.</ref><ref>"As its 2-time Kerala MLA faces 'Me Too' heat, will CPM do a Ranjith on Mukesh?". The Times of India. 27 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 27 August 2024.</ref><ref>"Malayalam actor Mukesh arrested in sexual assault case: Reports". Deccan Herald.</ref>

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." <ref>"CPI(M) MLA and actor M Mukesh arrested in rape case by Special Investigation Team, released on bail". 24 September 2024.</ref>

Political career

Mukesh at Kollam, during the election campaign in 2016

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.<ref name=":1">"Kerala Assembly polls: Actors in the fray". The Hindu. 19 May 2016. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2018.</ref> He won again from the same constituency in the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election.<ref>"Kollam Election Result 2021 LIVE: CPM's Mukesh defeats Bindhu Krishan". CNBC TV18. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2024.</ref> 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.<ref name="DHNS">DHNS (20 April 2024). "Lok Sabha Polls 2024 | Face-off: N K Premachandran vs M Mukesh". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 25 April 2024.</ref>

Awards

Mukesh in 2010

• 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<ref name=":6">"Mukesh got ISC Award". Archived from the original on 29 January 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2011.</ref>
• 2013 : Kerala Film Critics Association Awards<ref>"'Drishyam' Bags Kerala Film Critics Association Awards". The New Indian Express. 30 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2014.</ref> - 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	<ref>Suresh, Meera. "'Dileep and his character Ramanunni MLA share a lot of similarities'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2 April 2024.</ref>
	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		<ref>"Anikha Surendran's Oh My Darling trailer out". Cinema Express. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.</ref>
	Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum	Rajan	<ref>"Fahadh Faasil starrer 'Paachuvum Albhuthavilakkum' gets a release date!". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 21 February 2023.</ref>
	Philip's	Philip Abraham	300th film<ref>"Teaser for Mukesh-starrer Phillip's is out". Cinema Express. 15 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.</ref>
	Kadhikan	Chandrasenan	<ref>"Trailer of Mukesh, Unni Mukundan starrer Kadhikan is here". Cinema Express. 7 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.</ref>
2024	Iyer In Arabia	Srinivasa Iyer	<ref>"Director M A Nishad To Make His Comeback To Malayalam Cinema With Iyer Kanda Dubai". News18. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.</ref><ref>"Makers Of Dhyan Sreenivasan-starrer Iyer In Arabia Lock Release Date". News18. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.</ref>
	Super Zindagi	Mujeeb	<ref>"Dhyan Sreenivasan's Super Zindagi gets a release date". Cinema Express. 4 August 2024. Retrieved 6 August 2024.</ref>
	Virunnu	John Abraham	<ref>"Arjun Sarja's Virunnu Trailer Promises Thrilling Action Ahead Of August 29 Release". News18. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 28 August 2024.</ref>
	Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam	Dysp Prem Kumar
2025	Mehfil	Mullassery Rajagopal	<ref>Service, Express News (20 July 2025). "ജയരാജിന്‍റെ നായകനായി മുകേഷ്; 'മെഹ്‍ഫിലി'ലെ ഗാനമെത്തി". Asianet News (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 22 July 2025.</ref>

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

Year	Title	Channel	Role	Notes
2000	Kodeeswaran (2000)	Surya TV	Anchor
2001	Sambavami Yuge Yuge	Surya TV	Actor	TV Serial
2008	Super Talent	Surya TV	Anchor
2009-2012	Deal or No Deal	Surya TV	Anchor
2013	Abhinethri	Surya TV	Serial Producer	TV serial
2013–2018	Badai Bungalow	Asianet	Co-Host	Won, Asianet Television award 2016-Golden Star of the Year<br /> 2nd Asianet Comedy awards -Evergreen hero<br />Asianet Film Awards -Multifaceted talents of the year's<br />Asianet Television Awards 2018- golden star of television
2015	Sell me the answer	Asianet	Anchor
2016	Sell me the answer season 2	Asianet	Anchor	Won, Asiavision TV awards 2016 -Best game show anchor
2018	Bigg Boss (Malayalam season 1)	Asianet	Himself(role-Investigator)	Episode - 54
2018-2019	Sell me the answer season 3	Asianet	Anchor
2019–2020	Badai Bungalow season 2	Asianet	Co-Host
2020	Top Singer	Flowers	Grand finale Judge
2020–2021	Top Singer season 2	Flowers	Judge
2020	Engane oru Bharyayum Bharthavum	Flowers	Judge
2020	Chankanu Chackochan	Asianet	Himself	Christmas special program
2020	Utsavam With Lalettan	Flowers	Himself
2020	Nammal Thammil	Asianet	Host
2021	Comedy Stars Season 2	Asianet	Special Judge
2021	Star Magic	Flowers	Mentor
2021	Oru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper Chiri	Mazhavil Manorama	Judge
2021	Kanyadaanam	Surya TV	Narrator	TV serial
2021	Minnum Tharam Season 2	Asianet	Judge
2021	Madhuram Shobhanam	Zee Keralam	Himself	Special show
2021–2022	Mukesh Speaking	YouTube	Host	Online show
2021–2022	Comedy Stars Season 3	Asianet	Judge
2022–2023	kidilam	Mazhavil Manorama	Judge
2023	Uppum Mulakum	Flowers TV	Philips	TV serial ( one episode for movie promotion)

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.<ref>"Bhima and Keechaka on a new mission". The Hindu. 25 January 2018. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 July 2018.</ref> He also appeared with his sister, Sandhya Rajendan and his wife Methil in the 2015 adaptation of Naaga, directed by Suveeran.<ref>Paul, G. S. (20 August 2015). "Marrying myth and mystery". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 July 2018.</ref>

External links

• Mukesh on IMDb
• Mukesh at MSI