Top 50 Malayalam best ever actors

For Perunthachan, Kereedam, Usthad Hotel, Moonam Pakkam, sphadikam etc...

Surendranatha Thilakan (15 July 1935 – 24 September 2012), credited mononymously as Thilakan, was an Indian film and stage actor who has starred in over 200 Malayalam films.[2] He is considered to be one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema, and is popularly mentioned as the Perumthachan (master craftsman) of Malayalam cinema.

For Kereedam, Baratham, Devasuram etc...

Mohanlal Viswanathan Nair (born 21 May 1960),[1] better known as Mohanlal, is an Indian actor, producer and occasional singer best known for his work in Malayalam films. Mohanlal made his acting debut in Thiranottam (1978), but the film got released only after 25 years due to censorship issues.[3] His first film to be released was Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980) in which he acted as the antagonist. His major commercial success of Rajavinte Makan (1986) which is widely considered as a cult classic in action movie genre.

For Chemmeen.

Manuel Sathyaneshan Nadar (9 November 1912 – 15 June 1971), commonly known by his stage name Sathyan, was an Indian film actor known for his work in Malayalam cinema.Widely considered as one of the greatest actors in India,He is also regarded as the toughest actor in the Malayalam film industry personally and professionally, and respectfully called as 'Sathyan Master' by everyone.

For Pranchiyettan, oru Vadakkan Veeragadha, New Delhi etc...

Mammootty (born Muhammad Kutty Ismail Paniparambil on 7 September 1951)[6] is an Indian film actor and producer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema.In a career spanning over three decades, he has acted in over 350 films.[7]

For Kattathe Kilikkoodu

Gopinathan Velayudhan Nair, also known as Bharat Gopy (2 November 1937 – 29 January 2008), was an Indian film actor, producer, and director.[1] He was one of the first actors to be associated with the New Wave cinema movement in Kerala during the 1970s.[2]

For Vadakunokki Yanthram, Passenger etc...

Sreenivasan is an Indian film actor and screenwriter known for his work in Malayalam cinema.[1] He has written for over 50 films and has acted in over 200 films. He has also directed and produced two films each.

For Lalsalam Sakhave, Neythukaran etc...

Murali (Malayalam: മുരളി, 25 May 1954 – 6 August 2009) was an Indian film, stage, and television actor and author. He mainly appeared in Malayalam and Tamil films. He won the National Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a communist freedom fighter and professional weaver in the film Neythukaran (2002). Regarded by film critics as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema, he was known for his powerful portrayal of character roles, lead roles, and negative roles. His last film was Aadhavan.

For meeshamadhavan, paradesi etc...

Sreekumar Achary (born 5 January 1951), better known by his stage name Jagathy Sreekumar, is an Indian film actor who has starred in over a 1,000 Malayalam films in a career spanning almost four decades. He's popular mainly for his comedy roles.[3]

Jagathy is on the Guinness Book of World Records for essaying roles in more than a thousand films. He has won 5 Kerala State Film Awards for roles in various films. He has also directed two films and has written screenplays for two films. His stage name is derived from the neighbourhood of Jagathy in Thiruvananthapuram from where he hails.

for Balettan, sphadikam etc...

Kesavan Venu Gopal (born 22 May 1948), known popularly by his stage name Nedumudi Venu, is an Indian film actor from Kerala.[1] Widely regarded as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema,[2][3] he has also written screenplays and has directed one film

For Chandupottu, vinodayathra etc...

Dileep (born Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan Pillai, on 27 October 1968) is an Indian film actor, singer, mimicry artist, producer, and entrepreneur. He has starred in over a 130 Malayalam films.

Dileep started his film career as an assistant director to Kamal in 1991. He became popular for his mimicry stage shows and the Comicola television comedy series on Asianet. His role as Dileep in Manathe Kottaram (1994) paved way to his acting career. Films such as Sallapam (1996), Ee Puzhayum Kadannu (1997), Punjabi House (1998), Udayapuram Sulthan (1999), and Chandranudikkunna Dikhil (1999) established his status as a prominent actor during the late-1990s.

For Samaantharangal.

Balachandra Menon(born 11 January 1954) is an Indian film actor, director and script writer. He made a number of films in the 1980s and 1990s. He has directed 40 movies and acted in over 100 movies.[2] He won the National Film Award for Best Actor in the 1998 film Samaantharangal, which was also directed by him. He has also worked as distributor, editor, composer, singer and producer in the Malayalam film industry.

Abdul Khader (16 December 1929 – 16 January 1989), better known by his stage name Prem Nazir, was an Indian film actor best known for his work in Malayalam cinema. He is considered as one of the all time super stars in Malayalam cinema. Nazir was a popular lead actor from the 1950s till the early 1980s. He is referred to as the Nithya Haritha Nayakan (Ever Green Hero) of Malayalam cinema.

M. P. Michael (2 December 1958), better known by his stage name Lal, is an Indian film director, actor, script writer, producer, and film distributor widely known for his work in Malayalam cinema.

Manoj Kadampoothramadam Jayan (born 15 March 1966) is an Indian actor popularly knows as Manoj K Jayan who predominantly acts in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films. Manoj has won three Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor, respectively for his portrayals of Hariharan's 'Kuttan Thampuran' in Sargam (1992), 'Thalakkal Chandu' in Pazhassi Raja (2009) and 'Kunjiraman' in Farook Abdul Rahiman's Kaliyachan. His most critically acclaimed characters are "Kuttan Thampuran" (Sargam), "Digambaran" (Anandabhadram), "Thalakkal Chandu" (Pazhassi Raja).

Kuthiravattam Pappu, often credited as Pappu, was a popular Indian stage and film actor. His repertoire of acting was based on his unique style and use of the Kozhikodan[1] dialect, impeccable timing and the capability to grasp the subtle nuances of any character and mould it into his signature "Pappu style". He has acted in over a thousand Malayalam films.[2]

Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair (Malayalam: തിക്കുറിശ്ശി സുകുമാരൻ നായർ; 16 October 1916 – 11 March 1997) was a Nagercoilite born Malayali Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padmashri from the Government of India, which is one of the highest civilian honours in India. In a career that spanned about 47 years, he acted in over 700 films. He is considered to be the first movie star in Malayalam cinema.

Innocent Vareed Thekkethala (born c. 1945), popularly known as Innocent, is an Indian film actor and politician. He was born in Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district of Kerala, India. He is one of the most successful and leading comedy actors of Malayalam cinema. He is noted for his witty mannerisms and dialogue delivery in the typical Thrissur accent.[2]

Edappal Ponnamkuzhi Veettil Sukumaran Nair (10 June 1948 – 16 June 1997), popularly known as Sukumaran, was an Indian film actor and producer.[1]

Sukumaran became a popular film star in Malayalam cinema during the 1970s. He was considered as one of the superstar trio of Malayalam cinema during the late 1970s and early 1980s along with M. G. Soman and Jayan. Later, he became known for his character roles and antagonistic roles during the 1980s and 1990s. In 1978, he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in M. T. Vasudevan Nair's Bandhanam. As a producer, he produced such films as Irakal and Padayani.

Balan K. Nair (4 April 1933 in Chemancheri, Kozhikode – 26 August 2000 in Thiruvananthapuram) was a Malayalam film actor. Even though he appeared in most films as villain, he was also noted for his performance in strong character roles. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 1981 for his performance in the movie Oppol.[1]

Fahadh Faasil is an Indian film actor and producer known for his work in Malayalam cinema.[2]

Fahadh made his debut at the age of 19 in his father Fazil's film Kaiyethum Doorath (2002) which was a commercial failure. After a gap of six years, Fahadh made his comeback with the anthology film Kerala Cafe (2009). His most notable films include Chaappa Kurishu (2011), 22 Female Kottayam (2012), Diamond Necklace (2012), Annayum Rasoolum (2013), Amen (2013), North 24 Kaatham (2013), Oru Indian Pranayakatha (2013), Bangalore Days (2014), Iyobinte Pusthakam (2014), and Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016).

Jayasurya (born Jayasurya Jayan on 31 August 1978[2]) is an Indian film actor, producer, mimicry artist, and playback singer. He has starred in over 80 Malayalam films.[3]

Mukesh (born Mukesh Babu, 5 March 1956 in Pattathanam, Kollam) is an Indian film actor, producer, and politician known for his work in Malayalam cinema. He's best known for his comic-oriented roles.[3] Mukesh is the current Member of the Legislative Assembly (M.L.A.) representing the Kollam constituency of Kerala state.

Jayaram Subramaniam (born 10 December 1965), commonly known as Jayaram, is an Indian film actor who predominantly works in Malayalam films, and at times in Tamil films. He is also a chenda percussionist and mimic artist. He has starred in over 200 films.[5][6]

In 2011, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution towards the arts.[7][8]

P. J. Antony (Malayalam: പി.ജെ. ആന്റണി; 1 January 1925 – 14 March 1979) was an Indian stage and film actor.[3] He received the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Nirmalyam in 1974. He was also the first actor working in Malayalam cinema to receive the award.[4] Antony is also a respectable figure in the professional play field, working with communist cultural and art bodies like the K.P.A.C.[5]

Mamukkoya (born 5 July 1946) is a popular Malayalam comedian actor.[1] His unique usage of Mappila dialect and style marks his presence in the industry. He has acted in more than 450 Malayalam films and is the first winner of State award for Best Comedian in Malayalam cinema.[2]

Prithviraj Sukumaran (born 16 October 1982)[1] is an Indian film actor, producer, and playback singer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema.[2] He has also acted in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films.[3]

The son of actors Sukumaran and Mallika, Prithviraj was first spotted by director Fazil. Fazil's screen test of Prithviraj prompted director Ranjith to cast him in Nandanam, Prithviraj's first film, a 2002 romantic drama film.[4] In a career spanning over a decade, Prithviraj has starred in over 80 films.[5] Prithviraj produces films under his production company, August Cinema.[6] He has won two Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor and a National Film Award (as producer).

Suresh Gopinathan (born 26 June 1959), commonly known as Suresh Gopi, is an Indian film actor, politician, and singer who has starred in over 200 Malayalam films.[1] The role of Kannan Perumalayan in Kaliyattam (1997) won him the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.

Lalu Alex started his career as a supporting actor in "Ee Gaanam Marakkumo" in 1978. His early career involved roles in such I. V. Sasi's films as Thrishna, Thusharam, and Ahimsa. His outstanding performance was in Geo movies production, I.V.Sasi directed "Ee nadu" as SP Alexander. After that he had acted in villainous-character roles in films like I.V.Sasi's Kanamarayath, Alkootathil Thaniye, John Jaffer Janardhanan, Mrugaya and Balachandra Menon's Karyam Nissaram, and Prasnam Gurutharam. Joshy was another director who had given him roles in films like Aa Ratri,Bhookambam,Alakadalin Akkare,Minimol Vathikanil,Muhurtham 11.30,Nair Saab etc.... He has worked with directors such as K. Madhu in Adikkurippu, Chathuangam, and Munnam Murra, Sathyan Anthikkad in Kalikkalam Oral Mathram, and Kamal in Manjupole Oru Penkutty and Niram. In the 1990s, he turned to comic roles.

Kunjalu Kochumoideen Padiyath (1930 – 22 May 2000), known by his stage name Bahadoor, was a Malayalam film comedian who, along with Adoor Bhasi, redefined the way in which comedy and funny scenes were perceived in Malayalam cinema. They made a significant contribution toward establishing comedy as the predominant genre of Malayalam cinema. Bahadoor also appeared in some serious roles and in professional plays.His last film was Joker which was recently released after his death.[1]

Siddique is an Indian film actor, producer, and television compere. He has starred in over 250 Malayalam films.

N. N. Pillai (1918–1995) was an Indian playwright, actor, theatre director, and orator. Dedicated to the cause of drama, Pillai has written over 30 Malayalam plays, 40 one-act plays, two theoretical studies on theater and an autobiography.[1]

Murali Gopy (Malayalam: മുരളി ഗോപി‍) is an Indian screenwriter, actor, author, singer and journalist.[1] He wrote and acted in Ee Adutha Kaalathu and Left Right Left, which are considered path breakers in their respective genres. He has won numerous awards including Filmfare Awards South and South Indian International Movie Awards for his work on screen and behind it.

Dulquer Salmaan (born 28 July 1986), also known as DQ, is an Indian film actor who appears predominantly in Malayalam films. The son of actor Mammootty, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from Purdue University.

Salmaan made his acting debut in Second Show (2012) for which he received the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. He received the same for his Tamil debut in Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (2014). Salmaan's second film, Ustad Hotel (2012), earned him a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor. He established himself as a lead actor in the industry with the commercial success of films such as: ABCD (2013), Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (2013), Bangalore Days (2014), Vikramadithyan (2014), O Kadhal Kanmani (2015), and Charlie (2015). His performance in Charlie won him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.

M. G. Soman (1941–1997)[3] was an actor in Malayalam film. Soman's last film was Lelam in 1997. He has also done very important roles in Tamil films Aval Oru Thodar Kathai (1974), Naalai Namadhe (1975), Kumaara Vijayam (1976) and Airport (1993).

Suraj Venjaramood (Malayalam: സുരാജ് വെഞ്ഞാറമൂട്; born 30 June 1976) is a National Award winning Indian film actor and impressionist (mimic) who has starred in over 100 Malayalam films.[1] He mainly plays comedy roles, though he has played some character roles as well. He is a three-time recipient of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Comedy Artist. In 2014, Suraj received the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the Malayalam film Perariyathavar.[2]

Biju Menon (born 9 September 1970) is an Indian film actor who has starred in over a 100 Malayalam films, along with a couple of Tamil and Telugu films.[2] He appears mostly in supporting roles, but has also acted in lead and antagonistic roles. He made his debut in 1995 in Puthran.[3]

K. Bhaskaran Nair[1] (1 March 1927 – 29 March 1990), known by his stage name Adoor Bhasi, was an Indian film actor and film director from Kerala. Adoor Bhasi was almost always cast as the man who stands next to the hero. His hilarious actions and roles became the cynosure of comic scenes in the Malayalam films of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He is also famous for his eloquent speeches in fluent English. He directed three Malayalam films during the late 1970s.

Salim Kumar (born on 10 October[birthday 1] 1969) is a National Award winning Indian film actor and mimic predominantly acting in Malayalam cinema. He is one of the prominent comic actors of the current generation in Malayalam cinema, but has shown his versatility in the drama genre of films, such as Achanurangatha Veedu, Gramophone, Perumazhakkalam and Adaminte Makan Abu.[1]

Kunchacko Boban (born on 2 November 1976) is an Indian film actor and producer who appears in Malayalam films. He is the grandson of producer Kunchacko, who established the film production studio Udaya Pictures.[4]

Kunchacko Boban made his acting debut in Fazil's Aniyathipraavu (1997) which turned out to be a blockbuster and made him into an overnight sensation. He became a popular lead star in the late-1990s with successful films such as Mayilpeelikkavu (1998), Nakshatratharattu (1998), and Niram (1999). He continued his success with Dhosth (2001), Swapnakoodu (2003), and Kasthooriman (2003). After a couple of commercial failures, his career took a set back in the mid-2000s. He made a comeback with Gulumaal (2009)[5] which was well received. Later, he went on to act in successful films such as Elsamma Enna Aankutty (2010), Traffic (2011), Seniors (2011),[6] Ordinary (2012), Romans (2013), Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum (2013), How Old Are You? (2014), and Vettah (2016). Kunchacko Boban was awarded the Special Jury Award for his performance in Ee Snehatheerathu at the 2004 Kerala State Film Awards.[7]

Nivin Pauly (born 11 October 1984)[1] is an Indian film actor and producer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema Premam.[2]

Nivin applied for the audition of Vineeth Sreenivasan's directional debut Malarvaadi Arts Club in 2009, and was selected to play the main role. Malarvaadi Arts Club produced by actor Dileep released on July 2010. After playing several small roles and cameo roles, Nivin got his breakthrough with his role in Thattathin Marayathu (2012), which was also directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan.[3][4] Later, he went on to act in successful films including Neram (2013), 1983 (2014), Ohm Shanthi Oshaana (2014), Bangalore Days (2014), Oru Vadakkan Selfie (2015), Premam (2015), and Action Hero Biju (2016).[5][6] Nivin made his debut as a producer with the film Action Hero Biju under his production company Pauly Jr. Pictures, which also starred him in the title role.[7]

Krishnan Nair (25 July 1939 – 16 November 1980), better known by his stage name Jayan, was an Indian film actor, naval officer, stunt performer and cultural icon of the 1970s. He starred in over 120 Malayalam films. During his film career, he was primarily an action star and was particularly famous for his macho image and unique style. He was reputed for his chauvinistic appeal, masculine persona and well known for performing stunts of a dangerous nature on his own. By the late 1970s, he became the most popular lead actor and bankable star of Malayalam cinema and has been acclaimed as the first action hero of Malayalam cinema.[1]

Indrajith Sukumaran is an Indian film actor and singer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema. He is the eldest son of late actor Sukumaran.

Indrajith made his debut in 2002 in the film Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan. And has gone on to star in over fifty films, notably Meesa Madhavan (2002), Runway (2004), Classmates (2006), Chotta Mumbai (2007), Arabikkatha (2007), Twenty:20 (2008), Nayakan (2010), Karayilekku Oru Kadal Dooram (2010), Ee Adutha Kaalathu (2012), Amen (2013), Left Right Left (2013), Ezhamathe Varavu (2013), Angels (2014) and Amar Akbar Anthony (2015).

Indrajith has also starred in a few Hindi, English, Tamil, and Telugu films, such as Before the Rains (2007), Sarvam (2009), Kavya's Diary (2009), and The Waiting Room (2010).

Rajan P Dev (29 May 1951[citation needed] – 29 July 2009) was an Indian film and stage actor. He was born in Cherthala in the Alappuzha district of the former state Thiru-Kochi (present day Kerala). He had acted in over 200 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language films. He was noted for his villain roles laced with a touch of humour. He came into limelight for his characterisation of Kochuvava in the play Kattukuthira.[1] Rajan P. Dev died in Kochi Wednesday 29 July 2009 due to a liver disease.

Saikumar (born 14 April 1963), also credited as Sai Kumar, is an Indian film actor known for his villainous roles in the Malayalam films.

Saikumar debuted in the 1977 film Vidarunna Mottukal as child artist. He started his career with comedy roles, and gradually moved to character roles. He won Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his performance in the 2007 film Anandabhairavi.

In the 1990s, he made a name for himself as a dancer, his troupe was called ‘Black Mercury’. ‘Fire dance’ was his specialty. His own troupe used to perform in various stages across Kerala. He landed small roles in Malayalam Film director Thampi Kannathanam’s Manthrikam and Onnaman . “These films and a third, Stop Violence , defined his evolution in this industry. "Manthrikam" – as he says was magical for him who with no previous acting plans came in a movie.[2] His breakthrough came with the film Stop Violence in which he played an important character named Montha. His character as Ganga in Kammatipaadam is considered as the finest performance of his career.

Sudheer Kumar (born 20 April 1955), better known by his stage name Maniyanpilla Raju, is an Indian film actor and producer who appears in Malayalam films.[3][4] His stage name is derived from the name of the character he played in the film Maniyanpilla Adhava Maniyanpilla (1981), his break-through role.[5] His debut film was Mohiniyattam (1976) directed by Sreekumaran Thampi. He has played a variety of roles as a character actor, starring in over 400 films.[6]

Asif Ali is an Indian film actor and producer known for his Malayalam films. He made his debut with the Malayalam film Ritu (2009) directed by Shyamaprasad. Later, he went on to act in successful films including Apoorvaragam (2010), Traffic (2011), Salt N' Pepper (2011), Ordinary (2012), Ozhimuri (2012), Honey Bee (2013), Sapthamashree Thaskaraha (2014), and Nirnayakam (2015).[1][2]

Anoop Menon is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and lyricist. He worked in television before finding success as an actor in films. He won the 2009 Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor and also the 2009 Filmfare Awards for Thirakkatha.[3] Actress Shweta Menon is his cousin.[4]

ratap K. Pothen, popularly known as Pratap Pothen, is an Indian actor, director, writer, and producer who has acted in about 100 films. He has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu as well as Hindi films. His directional ventures were in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.[1]

Alencier Ley Lopez is an Indian film and theatre actor, who works in Malayalam film industry. Lopez debuted in films through the Malayalam film Daya in 1998; he attained recognition through the films Njan Steve Lopez (2013) and Maheshinte Prathikaaram.