# Rima Kallingal

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

## Early life and work

Born in Thrissur, Kerala, Kallingal began practising dancing when she was three years old. 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. She completed her schooling at Chinmaya Vidyalayas, Thrissur, graduating in 2001. She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the Christ University, Bengaluru. She is also skilled in Taekwondo (Korean martial art), Chao (Manipuri martial art) and Kalari.
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.

## Career

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. 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. She was 25 when she acted in the film.
In 2012, Kallingal played a nurse and rape victim in 22 Female Kottayam opposite Fahadh Faasil, which had a decent run at the box office. A critic of News18 noted, "The film belongs to Rima who sinks into the skin of the character with a spectacular performance." The film earned her Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam and Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress. 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".
In 2013, Kallingal turned television anchor with the Mazhavil Manorama show "Midukki". Following which the Kerala Film Chamber imposed a ban on her which was later revoked. That year, Kallingal played a young housewife in August Club. 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."
Her other notable films include the 2015 film Rani Padmini alongside Manju Warrier and the 2019 film Virus alongside an ensemble cast. Both films emerged commercial successes. In Rani Padmini, she played a tomboy. Deepa Soman was appreciative of her "knockout performance". In Virus, she played a nurse battle the deadly disease. Sowmya Rajendran found her performance "expressive".
In the 2021 film, Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam, Kallingal played an entertainment reporter opposite Jitin Puthenchery. Baradwaj Rangan found her to be "terrific". The film won her Best Actress at the Diorama International Film Festival.

## Media image

Kallingal's roles from 22 Female Kottayam, August Club and Rani Padmini are considered among the strongest female character in Malayalam films. Kallingal was named the Kochi Times Most Desirable Women in 2012. 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.

## Personal life

Kallingal married director Aashiq Abu on 1 November 2013, in a simple court wedding in Kochi. 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.

## Filmography
### As actress

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

### As producer

| 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 |

### Television

| 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

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

## Accolades

* 2012: Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress for Indian Rupee.
* 2013: Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for 22 Female Kottayam.
* 2013: Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for 22 Female Kottayam.
* 2013: SIIMA Critics Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for 22 Female Kottayam.
* 2013: Vanitha Film Award for Best Actress for 22 Female Kottayam.
* 2016: Vanitha Film Award for Special Performance – Actress for Rani Padmini.
* 2021: Vanitha Film Award for Best Social Responsible Actress for Virus.