Mukesh (actor)

Personal life

Mukesh was born to theater artist and actor 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.

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. Later, Mukesh married dancer Methil Devika on 24 October 2013. She worked as lecturer in the Department of Post-graduate Studies (Mohiniyattam/Kathakali/Koodiyattam) and at the Research Department, Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University, Kerala.

He was elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly from Kollam constituency in Kerala assembly election 2016

Acting career

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 Mammootty 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. This book, in the Malayalam language, is titled Mukesh Kathakal – Jeevithathiley Nerum Narmavum. 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.

Awards, honours and recognitions

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

Radio anchor

Theater performance