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[edit]

Year  | Name  | Debut film  | Other notable films

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1938  | K. K. Aroor | Balan | Gnanambika (1940), Kerala Kesari (1950), Genova (1953)

## 1940s[edit]

Sebastian Kunju Kunju Bhagavathar Year  | Name  | Debut film  | Other notable films

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1940  | Sebastian Kunjukunju Bhagavathar | Gnanambika | Navalokam (1951), Sheriyo Thetto (1953), Vidhi Thanna Vilakku (1962)

## 1950s[edit]

Prem Nazir Year  | Name  | Debut film  | Other notable films

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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[edit]

Raghavan Year  | Name  | Debut film  | Other notable films

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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[edit]

Nedumudi Venu Year  | Name  | Debut film  | Other notable films

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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[edit]

Mohanlal Mammootty Siddique Year  | Name  | Debut film  | Other notable films

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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[edit]

Dileep Kalabhavan Mani Salim Kumar Year  | Name  | Debut film  | Other notable films

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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[edit]

Suraj VenjaramooduJayasuryaVineeth Sreenivasan Year  | Name  | Debut film  | Other notable films

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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[edit]

See also: New generation (Malayalam film movement)

Dulquer Salmaan Year  | Name  | Debut film  | Other notable films

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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[edit]

* List of highest-grossing Malayalam films
* Lists of Indian actors
* List of Indian male film actors
* List of Malayalam actresses

## References[edit]

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.