{{short description|Indian actor}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}} {{Infobox person | name = Vinayakan | image = Vinayakan.jpg | caption = Vinayakan in 2022 | birth_name = Vinayakan T. K. | birth_place = [[Ernakulam District|Ernakulam]], [[Kerala]], [[India]] | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1970}}{{efn|age calculated on the basis of the interview, "around nineteen-twenty years of age"- debut. " “Big B” happened I tried for it, it took around eighteen years"- Big B was released in 2007}}<ref>{{cite web |title="I don't have much belief in the system": Actor Vinayakan talks to the Media |website=Round Table India |date=March 23, 2017 |url=https://www.roundtableindia.co.in/interview-with-the-actor-vinayakan/ |access-date=March 22, 2026}}</ref> | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|composer}} | years_active = 1995–present | awards = [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor]] (2016) | relatives = }}
'''Vinayakan''' is an Indian actor, former dancer, and composer who predominantly works in [[Malayalam]] films as well as some [[Tamil language|Tamil]] language films.<ref>{{cite web|title=List of Malayalam Movies acted by Vinayakan|url=http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/movieslist.php?a=7446|publisher=Malayala Chalachithram|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref><ref name=MusicDirector>{{cite web|last1=Anand|first1=Shilp Nair|title=On the superhero trail|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/on-the-superhero-trail/article4785988.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=20 September 2016|date=6 June 2013}}</ref><ref name=MusicVinayakan>{{cite web|last1=നായർ|first1=അനീഷ്|title=വിനായകന്റെ അസൂയയും അഹങ്കാരവും|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/interview/vinayakan-kammattipaadammovie-malayalamfilm-malayalam-news-1.1079869|publisher=Mathrubhumi|access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> He started his career with a un-credited appearance in the 1995 film ''[[Maanthrikam]]''.
Vinayakan won the [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor]] in the year 2016 for his role of Ganga in [[Rajiv Ravi]]'s ''[[Kammatipaadam]].''<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-03-07 |title=Kerala State Film Awards 2016: Vinayakan and Rajisha Vijayan are the Best Actor and Actress |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/vinayakan-and-rejisha-vijayan-win-the-kerala-state-best-actor-and-actress-awards/articleshow/57517633.cms#:~:text=March%207,%202017-,Kerala%20State%20Film%20Awards%202016:%20Vinayakan%20and%20Rajisha%20Vijayan,the%20Best%20Actor%20and%20Actress&text=While%20Vinayakan%20bagged%20the%20award,performance%20in%20Anuraga%20Karikkin%20Vellam. |access-date=2023-09-30 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> His recognized roles include Edakochi "Dude" in [[Aadu (film)|''Aadu - Oru Bheegara Jeevi Aanu'']] and its successor film [[Aadu 2 (film)|''Aadu 2'']], and as Ayyappan in [[Lijo Jose Pellissery]]'s ''[[Ee.Ma.Yau.]]''
He gained wider attention by playing the antagonist Varman in [[Nelson Dilipkumar]]'s Tamil-language action film [[Jailer (2023 Tamil film)|''Jailer'']] (2023) starring [[Rajinikanth]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Performance in 'Jailer' is Vinayakan's sublime comeback at detractors |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2023/08/12/vinayakan-rajinikanth-jailer-performance-varman-character.html |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=OnManorama}}</ref>
== Career ==
===Acting=== Vinayakan began his career as a dancer and had a dance troupe named ''Black Mercury'' with [[Fire dance]] being his forte. Director [[Thampi Kannanthanam]] introduced him in ''[[Maanthrikam]]'' and later in ''[[Onnaman]]''. He was noticed for his performances in ''[[Stop Violence]]'', ''[[Vellithira]]'', ''[[Chathikkatha Chanthu]]'', ''[[Chotta Mumbai]]'' and ''[[Thottappan]]''. Also, he appeared in a couple of Bollywood movies.<ref name=MusicDirector/><ref name=MusicVinayakan/>
Vinayakan was appreciated for his performance as Ganga in [[Rajeev Ravi]]' s 2016 film ''[[Kammatipaadam]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last1=VS|first1=Goutham|title=Dulquer Salmaan shines in a raw and realistic cut into the brutally buried history of Dalits|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/kammatipaadam-movie-review-dulquer-salmaan-shines-in-a-raw-and-realistic-cut-into-the-brutally-buried-history-of-dalits-2811732/|newspaper=The Indian Express|access-date=20 September 2016|date=21 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kammatti Paadam Movie Review|url=https://www.indiaglitz.com/kammatti-paadam-malayalam-movie-review-20718.html|work=India Glitz|access-date=20 September 2016|date=21 May 2016}}</ref> and nominated for a national award.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/vinayakan-was-not-in-the-final-four-for-best-actor/articleshow/58066847.cms|title=Vinayakan was not in the final four for Best Actor |work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-02-21}}</ref> It also brought him the Best Actor Award of the [[Kerala State Film Awards]], The North American Film Award for Outstanding performance in a film and Best Actor Award (2016) of the Cinema Paradiso Club Cine Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beat |first=Filmi |date=30 January 2017 |title=Nivin Pauly And Manju Warrier Bag Top Honours At NAFA 2017! |url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2017/nivin-pauly-and-manju-warrier-bag-top-honours-at-nafa-2017-252998.html |website=filmibeat.com}}</ref> In the same film, he made his debut as a music director.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |title=I never felt I was inferior and that empowered me: Vinayakan |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/i-never-felt-i-was-inferior-and-that-empowered-me-vinayakan/articleshow/57576215.cms |access-date=2018-02-21}}</ref>
''[[Ee.Ma.Yau.]]'' was included in [[The Hindu]]'s top 25 Malayalam films of the decade and is widely regarded as one of the defining movies of the [[New generation (Malayalam film movement)|New Wave Movement]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nagarajan |first=Saraswathy |date=2019-12-19 |title=The 25 best Malayalam films of the decade: 'Premam', 'Maheshinte Prathikaram', 'Kumbalangi Nights' and more |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-25-best-malayalam-films-of-the-decade-premam-maheshinte-prathikaram-kumbalangi-nights-and-more/article30349548.ece |access-date=2023-09-30 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
His upcoming projects include [[Gautham Vasudev Menon]]'s [[Dhruva Natchathiram: Chapter One – Yuddha Kaandam|''Dhruva Natchathiram:Chapter One - Yuddha Kaandam'']].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-04-17 |title=Vinayakan to lock horns with Vikram in 'Dhruva Natchathiram' |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vinayakan-to-lock-horns-with-vikram-in-dhruva-natchathiram/articleshow/63798990.cms |access-date=2023-09-30 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
===Music=== Vinayakan composed the song "Puzhu Pulikal" for the movie ''[[Kammatipaadam]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/100317/vinayakan-to-do-composing-choreography.html|title=Vinayakan to do composing, choreography|date=2017-03-10|language=en}}</ref>'' He has also composed the music for the title track of [[Trance (2020 film)|''Trance'']] (2020).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/the-most-requested-title-track-composed-by-vinayakan-from-trance-is-here/articleshow/74330624.cms|title=The most requested title track composed by Vinayakan from 'Trance'|date=2020-02-27|language=en}}</ref> He has also sung songs for [[Rafi Mecartin|Rafi]]'s film ''[[Role Models (2017 film)|Role Models]]'' and another one for [[Ordinary (film)|''Ordinary'']], [[Sugeeth]]'s movie''.<ref name=":0" />''
== Controversies == *On 24 October 2023, he was arrested for creating a ruckus at the [[Ernakulam]] Town North police station in [[Kochi]]. The incident was from a family dispute and he was later released on bail after a medical examination. [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] of [[Thrikkakkara|Thrikkakara]], [[Uma Thomas]], publicly criticized the quick release, suggesting it was related to Vinayakan's political associations <ref>{{Cite web |title=Vinayakan released on bail after medical exam, MLA Uma Thomas questions 'weak charges' |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/10/25/vinayakam-abuse-police-arrest-bail.html |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=OnManorama}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-24 |title='Jailer' actor Vinayakan arrested for creating a ruckus at police station |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/jailer-actor-vinayakan-arrested-ruckus-police-station-8997944/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
*On 7 September 2024, Vinayakan was taken into custody by [[Rajiv Gandhi International Airport]] Police in [[Hyderabad]] following an altercation with [[Central Industrial Security Force]] (CISF) gate staff. He was reportedly under the influence of alcohol during the incident.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Jailer Actor Vinayakan Booked For Unruly Behaviour At Hyderabad Airport |url=https://www.msn.com/en-in/entertainment/oscars/jailer-actor-vinayakan-booked-for-unruly-behaviour-at-hyderabad-airport/ar-AA1qcup8?ocid=msedgntp&pc=NMTS&cvid=2ef7e848ec084104a71603b7a4fb0fc1&ei=57 |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=MSN}}</ref> Security officials affirmed he arrived in Hyderabad in a visibly drunken state on an Indigo flight from Kochi and was to travel to Goa, before his arrest.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malayalam actor Vinayakan arrested at Hyderabad airport for 'causing ruckus' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/malayalam-actor-vinayakan-arrested-at-hyderabad-airport-for-causing-ruckus-101725788560032.html |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
*On 9 May 2025, Vinayakan was taken into custody for drunk and disorderly behaviour at a hotel in [[Kollam]], where he was staying from May 2 for a movie shoot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2025-05-07 |title=Malayalam actor Vinayakan taken into custody for creating ruckus at Kollam hotel |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2025/May/08/malayalam-actor-vinayakan-taken-into-custody-for-creating-ruckus-at-kollam-hotel |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=ലേഖകൻ |first=മാധ്യമം |title='ഇതിന്റെ വാതിൽ തലകൊണ്ട് അടിച്ചു പൊട്ടിക്കും ഞാൻ'; കൊല്ലത്ത് പൊലീസ് കസ്റ്റഡിയിൽ ബഹളം വെച്ച് വിനായകൻ |url=https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/local-news/kollam/vinayakan-creates-ruckus-in-police-custody-in-kollam-1406710 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=Madhyamam |language=ml}}</ref>
==Filmography== {{Pending films key}}
===Malayalam=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 1995 || ''[[Maanthrikam]]'' || Michael Jackson dupe || Debut |- |2001 |''[[Onnaman]]''||Patrick|| |- |2002 | ''[[Stop Violence]]'' ||Montha || |- |rowspan=2|2003 | [[Vellithira (2003 film)|''Vellithira'']] ||Padavan|| |- | [[Ivar (2003 film)|''Ivar'']] ||Vinayakan|| |- |rowspan=3 |2004 |''[[Chathikkatha Chanthu]]''||Romy|| |- | [[Greetings (2004 film)|''Greetings'']]||Hari|| |- |''Quotation'' ||Maya|| |- |rowspan=4|2005 |''[[By the People (2005 film)|By the People]]''|| Porter|| |- |''[[Makalkku]]''|| Mental Patient || |- |[[Junior Senior (Malayalam film)|''Junior Senior'']]||Sivan|| |- |''[[Udayon]] ''|| Thoma's helper || |- |rowspan=3|2006 |''Thanthra''|| Mayan|| |- |''[[Chinthamani Kolacase]]''||Uchandi|| |- |''Jayam''||Saheer|| |- |rowspan=2|2007 | ''[[Chotta Mumbai]]'' ||Satheeshan|| |- | [[Big B (film)|''Big B'']] ||Pandi Asi|| |- |2008 |''[[Pachamarathanalil]]''||Mad Man|| |- |rowspan=3|2009 |''[[Nammal Thammil]]''||Tony|| |- |[[Daddy Cool (2009 Malayalam film)|''Daddy Cool'']]|| Shelvam || |- | ''[[Sagar alias Jacky Reloaded]]'' || Style|| |- |2010 | [[Best Actor (film)|''Best Actor'']] ||Pottan|| |- |2011 |[[The Train (2011 film)|''The Train'']] || Githu || |- |rowspan=2|2012 |''[[Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty]]'' ||Alex|| |- |[[Bachelor Party (2012 film)|''Bachelor Party'']] ||Fakeer|| |- |rowspan=3|2013 |''Police Maman''|| Manu|| |- | ''[[5 Sundarikal]]'' ||Chandran ||Segment - Aami |- | ''[[Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus]]'' || Sayippu || |- |rowspan=4|2014 | ''[[Masala Republic]]'' || Bengali Babu|| |- |''[[Njan Steve Lopez]]''|| Prathaapan|| |- | ''[[Iyobinte Pustakam]]'' || Chemban|| |- |[[Seconds (2014 film)|''Seconds'']]||Thampi|| |- |rowspan=3|2015 |[[Aadu (film)|''Aadu - Oru Bheegara Jeevi Aanu'']]||[[Aadu (franchise)#DUDE|Damodaran Unnimakan Delmen Edakochi "Dude"]]|| |- | ''[[Chandrettan Evideya]]'' || Rajaraja Cholan||Extended cameo |- |''Any Time Money''|||| |- |rowspan=2|2016 | [[Kali (2016 film)|''Kali'']] ||Johnettan|| |- |[[Kammatipaadam|''Kammattipaadam'']] || Gangadharan (Ganga) ||[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - [[Kerala State Film Award]] |- |rowspan=2|2017 |[[Role Models (2017 film)|''Role Models'']] ||Jyothish Narayanan|| |- |[[Aadu 2 (film)|''Aadu 2'']] ||[[Aadu (franchise)#DUDE|Damodaran Unnimakan Delmen Edakochi "Dude"]]|| |- |rowspan=3|2018 |''[[Diwanjimoola Grand Prix]]'' ||Vareedh|| |- |''[[Swathandriam Ardharathriyil]]''||Simon|| |- |''[[Ee.Ma.Yau]]'' || Ayyappan ||<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/vinayakan-is-ayyappan-in-ee-ma-yau/articleshow/61722513.cms|title=Vinayakan is Ayyappan in 'Ee Ma Yau'|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-02-21}}</ref> |- |rowspan=3|2019 |''[[Thottappan]]''||Ithaq | |- |''[[Pranaya Meenukalude Kadal]]''||Hyder|| |- |''[[Valiyaperunnal]]'' | Himself | Cameo |- |2020 |[[Trance (2019 film)|''Trance'']]||Thomas |Also composed title track |- | 2021 || ''[[Operation Java]]'' || Ramanathan || |- | rowspan=3 | 2022 || ''[[Pada (film)|Pada]]'' || Balu || |- | ''[[Oruthee]]'' || Sub Inspector Antony || |- | ''[[Panthrandu]]'' || Andhro || |- | 2023 || ''[[Kasargold]]'' || Alex ||<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-29 |title=Asif Ali's 'Kasargold' all set to unleash breathtaking thrills upon its release on September 15 |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/asif-alis-kasargold-all-set-to-unleash-breathtaking-thrills-upon-its-release-on-september-15/articleshow/102234429.cms |access-date=2023-08-19 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> |- | 2024 || ''[[Thekku Vadakku]]'' || Madhavan ||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Features |first=C. E. |date=2024-08-25 |title=Vinayakan and Suraj Venjaramoodu's Thekku Vadakku gets a release date |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/news/2024/Aug/25/vinayakan-and-suraj-venjaramoodus-thekku-vadakku-gets-a-release-date |access-date=2024-08-25 |website=Cinema Express |language=en}}</ref> |- | rowspan=2 | 2025 || ''[[The Pet Detective]]'' || Yaqat Ali ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-09 |title=Pet Detective trailer: Sharaf U Dheen promises a fun, eccentric twist on the detective genre |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/pet-detective-trailer-sharaf-u-dheen-promises-a-fun-eccentric-new-twist-on-the-detective-genrepet-detective-trailer-sharaf-u-dheen-promises-a-fun-eccentric-new-twist-on-the-detective-genre-10297318/ |access-date=2025-12-02 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> |- || ''[[Kalamkaval]]'' || Jayakrishnan||<ref>{{cite web |title=മമ്മൂട്ടി കമ്പനിയുടെ 'കളങ്കാവല്': പുതിയ ചിത്രത്തില് മമ്മൂട്ടിക്കൊപ്പം വിനായകനും|url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/kalamkaval-movie-mammootty-vinayakan-movie-first-look-poster-srq7bz|access-date=May 25, 2025}}</ref> |- | 2026 || ''[[Aadu 3]]'' || [[Aadu (franchise)#DUDE|Damodaran Unnimakan Delmen Edakochi "Dude"]] and Sulthan Azam Khan ||[[Dual role]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-20 |title=Aadu 3 box office collection: Jayasurya’s film weathers Dhurandhar 2 tsunami, collects over Rs 12 cr |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/aadu-3-box-office-collection-jayasuryas-film-weathers-dhurandhar-2-tsunami-10592753/ |access-date=2026-03-20 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> |- |}
=== Tamil === {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |2006||''[[Thimiru]]''|| Maayi ||credited as Vinayagam |- | rowspan=4 | 2008 || ''[[Singakutty]]'' || Gumban || Uncredited |- |''[[Kaalai]]'' ||Mokkai | rowspan="3" |credited as Vinayagam |- | ''[[Ellam Avan Seyal]]'' || Pichandi |- | [[Silambattam (film)|''Silambattam'']] || Tamizh’s best friend |- | 2009 || ''[[Madurai Sambavam]]''|| Anand aka Mandaiyan |Uncredited |- | 2011 |''[[Siruthai]]'' || Bavuji's henchman||credited as Vinayagam |- | 2013 | [[Maryan (film)|''Maryan'']] ||Theekkurissi|| |- | 2023 | ''[[Jailer (2023 Tamil film)|Jailer]]'' |Varman | |- |{{tba}} |{{pending film|[[Dhruva Natchathiram (upcoming film)|Dhruva Natchathiram]]}} |{{tba}} |Awaiting release |- |}
===Other languages=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Year !Title !Role !Language !Notes |- |2005 |[[James (2005 film)|''James'']]|| Shanti Narayan's henchman ||[[Hindi]]|| |- |2006 |''[[Asadhyudu]]''|| Thambu || rowspan="2"|[[Telugu language|Telugu]]|| |- |2008 || ''[[Ekaloveyudu]]'' || Bhakta's brother |}
== Awards == {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Award !! Category !! Film(s) !! Result |- | 2016 | [[Kerala State Film Award]] || rowspan="2" | [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] || rowspan="4" | ''[[Kammatipaadam]]'' || {{Won}} |- | 2016 | Movie Munshi Cine Awards || {{Won}} |- | rowspan="2" | 2017 | [[Filmfare Awards South]] || [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Malayalam|Best Supporting Actor]] || {{Won}} |- | rowspan="2" | [[CPC Cine Awards]]|| Best Actor || {{Won}} |- | 2018|| Best Character Actor || rowspan="2" | ''[[Ee.Ma.Yau.]]'' || {{Won}} |- | 2019 | [[Filmfare Awards South]] || [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Malayalam|Best Supporting Actor]] || {{Won}} |}
== References == {{Reflist}} ==Notes== {{Notes}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|nm2035937|Vinayakan}}
{{Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vinayakan}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema]] [[Category:Indian male film actors]] [[Category:Indian male dancers]] [[Category:Dancers from Kerala]] [[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]] [[Category:Male actors from Kochi]] [[Category:Kerala State Film Award winners]] [[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]] [[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:IIFA Utsavam winners]]