# Vineeth

Vineeth Radhakrishnan (born 23 August 1969) is an Indian actor, Bharatanatyam dancer, voice artist and choreographer who primarily works in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu language films. He has also appeared in a few Hindi and Kannada films. He has won several awards including 3 Kerala State Film Awards, Kalaimamani honour from Government of Tamil Nadu and Filmfare Award South nominations.

## Early life

Vineeth was born to K. T. Radhakrishnan and P. K. Shanthakumari on 23 August 1969 at Thalassery in Kannur district, Kerala. His family hails from the Travancore region (present-day Southern Kerala districts). He has a sister, Kavitha Dinesh. Vineeth is the nephew of Ramachandran Nair, the husband of actress Padmini of the Travancore sisters. His aunt, Padmini, and her sister, Ragini, convinced his parents to send him to dancing school. Actress Shobana is his cousin.
Vineeth attended Good Shepherd International School, Ooty, St Joseph's Higher Secondary School, Thalassery, and St. Joseph's College, Devagiri, Kozhikode. He then pursued a Bachelor of Commerce from The New College, Chennai, in 1991.
Vineeth started training in Bharathanatyam at the age of six and won several dance prizes while a student, including the first prize at the Kerala School Kalolsavam for four years in a row, also winning the top title of "Kalaprathibha" in 1986.

## Film career

Vineeth entered films with the I. V. Sasi film Idanilangal in 1985, and caught the public eye with his second film, Nakhakshathangal, in 1986. His dancing skills were prominently displayed in several films as well. He played the lead characters in Idanazhiyil Oru Kaalocha (1987), a story by poet Balachandran Chullikkadu and Oru Muthassi Katha (1988) directed by Priyadarshan. Aavarampoo (1992), the Tamil remake of Thakara changed everything for Vineeth directed by Bharathan. As soon as Aavarampoo ended, Hariharan called him for Sargam (1992), in which he played a musical genius. Suddenly Vineeth was doing multiple films in Malayalam and Tamil. Kabooliwala (1994) and Manathe Vellitheru (1994) became two turning points in his Malayalam career, one establishing him as a young romantic hero, the other proving he could handle negative shades really well. Though his films impressed both critics and front benchers, he did not become a super hero, a sought after actor. He had appeared in maximum Malayalam films. But his career did not pick up as expected.
His roles in successful Tamil films also include Gentleman (1993), Pudhiya Mugam (1993), Jaathi Malli (1993) and May Maadham (1994). Among other projects came Kadhal Desam (1996), where Vineeth and Abbas played college students in love with the same woman, played by Tabu. The movie, with its themes of friendship and romance and the music of A. R. Rahman, became very popular. He has acted in several well received films since then in all South Indian languages. In spite of his success in films, he still considers dance as his first love and is undergoing advanced training in Bharatanatyam and participates in several dance programmes all over the world as well as the Surya Dance Festival. He has worked in several Telugu films such as Aaro Pranam (1997), Maa Annayya (2000), Ammayi Kosam (2001), Nee Premakai (2002) and Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo (2002). Vineeth, who disappeared from both Tamil and Malayalam cinema, made a comeback with Rajinikanth starrer Chandramukhi (2005). He played the same role in the Hindi version of Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) as well. He also played in many roles in Malayalam films such as Rathri Mazha (2007), Banaras (2009), Thathwamasi (2010), Ideal Couple (2012), Omega Brothers (2012), Aattakatha (2013), Sukhamayirikkatte (2015) and Pallikoodam (2016).
He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Choreography for Kambhoji in 2017. Vineeth has collaborated with G. V. Prakash Kumar in Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2019). It was a Tamil musical drama that was written and directed by Rajiv Menon. Actor singer Krishnachandran dubbed for Vineeth in most of his early movies. Ironically, Vineeth won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Dubbing Artist in 2020 for giving voice to Vivek Oberoi's character in Lucifer, actor Prithviraj’s first as a director. In Malayalam, he was seen in Kavya Prakash's debut film Vaanku (2021), based on a story by Unni R. In Marakkar: Lion of the Arabian Sea (2021), he dubbed for the character played by Tamil star Arjun Sarja. Vineeth won the award for his dubbing. In 2023, he co-starred with Fahadh Faasil in Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum and Dhoomam. He is making his comeback in Tamil cinema and plays a father in the drama film, Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai (2025).

## Personal life

Vineeth married Priscilla Menon, who hails from Thalassery, in August 2004. They live in Chennai, and a daughter was born to them in 2006. His fans fondly call him Anuraga Singam.

## Awards and nominations

* 1986 - Kalaprathibha - Kerala School Kalolsavam
* 1992 - Best New Face award by Film Fan's Association in Tamil Nadu for Aavarampoo
* 1992 - Kerala Film Critics Association Awards Second Best Actor award for Daivathinte Vikrithikal and Sargam
* 1993 - Supporting Actor award by Film Fan's Association in Tamil Nadu for Jathi Malli and Pudhiya Mugam
* 2006 - Yuvakala Bharathi award - Bharath Kalachar
* 2009 - Kalaimamani Award from Government of Tamil Nadu
* 2013 - Asiavision Awards for Best Supporting Actor
* 2013 - Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam - Nominated for Bavuttiyude Namathil
* 2017 - Kerala State Film Award for Best Choreography - Kambhoji for the song "Chenthar Nermukhi"
* 2020 - Kerala State Film Award for Best Dubbing Artist - Lucifer (dubbed for Vivek Oberoi)
* 2021 - Kerala State Film Award for Best Dubbing Artist - Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (dubbed for Arjun Sarja)

## Filmography
### Malayalam films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1985 | Idanilangal | Kunjumon | |
| 1986 | Nakhakshathangal | Ramu | |
| 1986 | Pranamam | Appukuttan | |
| 1986 | Namukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal | Antony | |
| 1986 | Idanazhiyil Oru Kaalocha | Ananth | |
| 1987 | Oridathu | Josekutty | |
| 1987 | Amrutham Gamaya | Unnikrishnan | |
| 1987 | Rithubhedam | Keshavan | |
| 1987 | Ponnu | | |
| 1987 | Kanikanum Neram | Vinu | |
| 1988 | Aranyakam | Mohan | |
| 1988 | Kanakambarangal | Rajan | |
| 1988 | Janmandharam | Unnikrishnan | |
| 1988 | Oru Muthassi Katha | Chanthu | |
| 1989 | Mahayanam | Rameshan | |
| 1989 | Rugmini | | |
| 1990 | Lal Salam | Medayil Josekutty | |
| 1990 | Kattukuthira | Mohan | |
| 1990 | Aaram Vardil Aabhyanthara Kalaham | | |
| 1992 | Champakulam Thachan | Chanthutti | |
| 1992 | Aacharyan | Abraham | |
| 1992 | Daivathinte Vikrithikal | Son of Landlord | Kerala State Film Critics Association Second Best Actor Award |
| 1992 | Kamaladalam | Somashekharanunni (Malavika's lover) | |
| 1992 | Sargam | Haridas | Kerala State Film Critics Association Second Best Actor Award |
| 1993 | Gazal | Muneer | |
| 1993 | Samooham | Udayan | |
| 1993 | Kalippattam | Harikrishnan | |
| 1993 | Kabuliwala | Munna | |
| 1993 | Kanyakumariyil Oru Kavitha | Vishnu | |
| 1993 | Arthana | Jayakrishnan | |
| 1994 | Manathe Vellitheru | Ramesh | |
| 1994 | Parinayam | Madhavan | |
| 1994 | Daivathinte Vikrithikal | Landlord's son | |
| 1995 | Thakshashila | Salman | |
| 1995 | Highway | Vinod Menon | |
| 1995 | Thacholi Varghese Chekavar | Shyam | |
| 1996 | Kala Pani | G S Sethu | Dubbed in Tamil as Sirai Chaalai |
| 1996 | Hitler | Whistling Passenger | Cameo appearance |
| 1996 | Kavadam | | Unreleased |
| 1998 | Manjeeradhwani | Manu | |
| 1999 | Mazhavillu | Vijay Krishnan | |
| 1999 | Prempujari | Murali | |
| 1999 | Ustaad | Nandan | |
| 2000 | Darling Darling | Subash Chandra Bose/ Kochu Kurup / Aniyankutty (fake identity) | |
| 2004 | Perumazhakkalam | Raghu Rama Iyer | Guest Appearance |
| 2004 | Chathikkatha Chanthu | Krishna | |
| 2005 | Alice in Wonderland | Victor Joseph | |
| 2005 | Mayookham | | |
| 2006 | Moonnamathoral | Dr. Arun | |
| 2006 | Vadakkum Nathan | Parameshwaran | |
| 2007 | Rathri Mazha | Harikrishnan | |
| 2008 | Mizhikal Sakshi | Aravind | |
| 2009 | 2 Harihar Nagar | Shyam Sundhar | |
| 2009 | Chemistry | Aloshy | |
| 2009 | Banaras | Hari | |
| 2010 | Neelambari | Devanand | |
| 2010 | Thathwamasi | Rameshan | |
| 2010 | Killy Killy | Aloshy | |
| 2011 | Munthiri Paadam | Munna | |
| 2012 | Bavuttiyude Namathil | Satheeshan | |
| 2012 | Ideal Couple | Ganeshan | |
| 2012 | Father's Day | Gopan | |
| 2012 | Arike | Balu | |
| 2013 | Breaking News Live | Deepak | |
| 2013 | Omega Brothers | Sidharth | |
| 2013 | Aattakatha | Unnikrishnan | |
| 2013 | Ezhamathe Varavu | Prasad | |
| 2013 | Cleopatra | | |
| 2014 | Swapaanam | Thuppan Namboodiri | |
| 2015 | 100 Days of Love | S. P. Pillai | |
| 2015 | Sukhamayirikkatte | | |
| 2015 | Kumbasaram | Rafi | |
| 2015 | Njan Samvidhanam Cheyum | | |
| 2015 | Akkaldhamayile Pennu | Anto | |
| 2016 | Pallikoodam | Gokul Sir | |
| 2017 | Kambhoji | Kunjunni | |
| 2019 | Panthu | Anwar | |
| 2019 | Madhaveeyam | Madhav Dev | |
| 2021 | Vaanku | Razak | |
| 2021 | Kaalchilambu | Kannan, Jayadevan | |
| 2023 | Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum | Riyas | |
| 2023 | Dhoomam | Praveen | |
| 2024 | Manorathangal | Venugopal's father | Released on ZEE5 Anthology series Segment: Kadugannawa, Oru Yathra Kurippu |

### Tamil films

| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
| 1992 | Aavarampoo | Sakkarai | Best New Face Awarded from the Film Fan's Association in Tamil Nadu |
| 1993 | Jathi Malli | Moscow | |
| 1993 | Pudhiya Mugam | Raja Rajeswaran / Hari (dual role) | |
| 1993 | Gentleman | Ramesh | |
| 1994 | May Madham | Eeshwar | |
| 1996 | Kadhal Desam | Karthik | |
| 1997 | Sakthi | Sakthi | |
| 1997 | Devathai | Umapathi | |
| 1997 | Nandhini | Suresh | |
| 1998 | Simmarasi | Kathir | |
| 1999 | Maravathe Kanmaniye | | |
| 1999 | Suyamvaram | Gautham | |
| 2000 | Karisakattu Poove | Pounrasu | |
| 2001 | Vedham | Sanjay | |
| 2003 | Kadhal Kirukkan | Gautham | |
| 2003 | Priyamana Thozhi | Michael D'Souza | |
| 2005 | Chandramukhi | Viswanathan & Gunashekaran | |
| 2006 | Pasakiligal | Nallarasu | |
| 2008 | Sila Nerangalil | Madhavan | |
| 2008 | Uliyin Osai | Iniyan | |
| 2019 | Sarvam Thaala Mayam | Mani | |
| 2025 | Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai | Devaraj | |

### Telugu films

| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
| 1993 | Sarigamalu | Kalidasu | |
| 1997 | Evandi Pelli Chesukondi | Vijay | |
| 1997 | Aaro Pranam | Chanti | |
| 1997 | Rukmini | Ravi | |
| 1998 | Prema Pallaki | | |
| 1998 | Padutha Theeyaga | Rushi | |
| 1998 | W/o V. Vara Prasad | Varaprasad | |
| 1999 | Preminchalani Vundi | | |
| 1999 | Prema Kosam | Rahul | |
| 2000 | Balaram | Srinivasa Prasad | |
| 2000 | Maa Annayya | Shekhar | |
| 2001 | Ammayi Kosam | Venkat | |
| 2002 | Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo | Srinivasa Naidu | |
| 2002 | Nee Premakai | Srinivas | |
| 2003 | Maa Baapu Bommaki Pellanta | Krishnamoorthy | Cameo appearance |
| 2005 | Thanks | Sri Ram | |
| 2021 | Rang De | Arjun's brother-in-law | |

### Other language films

| Year | Film | Role | Language |
| 1997 | Daud: Fun on the Run | Inspector Sri | Hindi |
| 1998 | Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene | Raghunandan | Kannada |
| 2002 | Bokshu – The Myth | Rati's lover | English |
| 2007 | Bhool Bhulaiyaa | Sharad Pradhan / Shashidhar | Hindi |
| 2010 | Aptharakshaka | Ramanatha | Kannada |
| 2011 | Queens! Destiny Of Dance | Mukta | Hindi |

### Dubbing

| Year | Film | Dubbed for | Character | Language | Notes |
| 2019 | Lucifer | Vivek Oberoi | Bimal Nair / Bobby | Malayalam | Won, Kerala State Film Award for Best Dubbing Artist |
| 2020 | Big Brother | Arbaaz Khan | Vedantham IPS | Malayalam | |
| 2020 | The Kung Fu Master | Jiji Scaria | Rishi Ram | Malayalam | |
| 2021 | Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham | Arjun Sarja | Ananthan | Malayalam | Won, Kerala State Film Award for Best Dubbing Artist |
| 2022 | Kaduva | Vivek Oberoi | I.G Joseph Chandy / Ouseppukutty | Malayalam | |
| 2022 | Ottu | Arvind Swamy | David | Malayalam | |