Mukesh (actor)

1982–1988

Mukesh began his career in the movie Balloon in 1982. In 1985, he acted in Mutharamkunnu P. O., directed by Sibi Malayil, with a script by Sreenivasan and story by Jagadeesh. Then came a series of slapstick comedies, often with Priyadarshan, such as Ponnum Kudathinu Pottu, Akkare Ninnoru Maran, Boeing Boeing and Odaruthammava Aalariyaam.

He portrayed the CBI officer Chacko in the four movies of the CBI series directed by K. Madhu. His supporting roles with Mohanlal and Mamooty received popularity between 1985 to 2000. He maintains a close friendship with Mohanlal and has acted with him in films in supporting roles such as Hello My Dear Wrong Number, Thalavattam, Vandanam, Akkare Akkare Akkare, Kakkakuyil and Boeing Boeing.

His breakthrough came in 1989 with the movie Ramji Rao Speaking, directed by Siddique-Lal. Thereafter, he established himself as a leading actor in the Malayalam film industry.

1989–2014

In the early nineties Mukesh acted alongside actors Innocent, Jagathy Sreekumar, Jayaram, Jagadeesh and Siddique in a number of comedy movies that met with critical acclaim. His most popular films were directed by the duo Siddique-Lal. Apart from Ramji Rao Speaking, they worked together in In Harihar Nagar, Godfather. Later director Siddique directed him in Hitler, Chronic Bachelor and Friends. Even director Lal repeated him in Harihar Nagar 2 and In Ghost Inn.

The characters he played between 1989 and 1999 were usually of a young man behaving, or thought to be behaving fraudulently under pressure, such as a bribe taking policeman, a thief on the run, or someone lying to impress his parents, or to get a job. The media labelled him as Comedy Hero. His role as serial womaniser in the 1990 Kouthugal Vaartakal boosted his popularity as a lead actor. His major leading roles included Marupuram (1990), Malayogam, Thooval Sparsham, Gajakesariyogam, Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum, Sohrudam, Bandhukkal Shatrugal, Aayushyakalam, Ellarum Chollanu, Ennodu Ishtam Koodamo, Customs Diary, Sohrudam, Ootayal Pattalam, Cheppukilukkana Changathi, Kallanum Polissum, Makkal Rajyam and Tom & Jerry. His collaboration with director P. G. Viswambharan resulted in hits like Innathe Program and Irrikku M. D. Akathundu. The best example of a film with his character being forced by circumstances to lie is Sipayi Lahala (1995), by Vinayan and written by Sreenivasan. He paired with Sreenivasan in films like Varaphalam, Kinnaripozhayorum, Manathe Velitheru, Oodaruthamava Alariyam, Angene Oru Avadhikalathu and Mr. Clean. The cast of 1989 Ramji Rao Speaking came together for its sequel Mannar Mathai Speaking in 1995. He acted with both Thilakan and Jagathy Sreekumar together in Mookila Rajyathu, Cheriya Lokavum Veliya Manushyarum, Champion Thomas and Varaphalam.

It was in late 2008 that media felt his career would get over but he bagged projects with Satyan Anthikad, director Siddique, Lal and other than these had hits like Cheriya Kallanum Valiya Policum, Kancheepurathe Kalyanam, Vinodayatra, Pathinonnil Vyazham, Innathe Chintha Vishayam and Bharya Swantham Suhruthu.

Later career

In the early 2010s, he struggled to escape an image trap. Regardless, he came back with interesting supporting roles in Udayananu Tharam, Goal, Vinodayathra, Boy Friend, Kaiyoppu, Naalu Pennungal and Katha Parayumbol. He has been a part of many of Mohanlal's comedies, most of them directed by Priyadarshan.

Mukesh at Kollam, during the election campaign in 2016

He also ventured into production with Sreenivasan,their first movie, Katha Parayumbol, featured a cameo by Mammootty.

Mukesh was the host of a Malayalam version of Deal or No Deal, which was aired on Surya TV.

In 2007, Mukesh authored a book based on experiences while he was a student at college, and tales from his life as a movie actor.^[9] titled Mukesh Kathakal – Jeevithathiley Nerum Narmavum.^[10] It proved very successful.^[11]

He is now acting in Badai bungalow, a comedy and celebrity talk show hosted by Ramesh Pisharody, launched on Asianet from 2013^[12]

Malayalam films

Tamil films

1. Naanum En Jamunavum (2012)
2. Ainthaam Padai (2009)
3. Jathi Malli (1992)
4. Manaivi Oru Manickam (1985)

As producer

• Katha Parayumbol (2007)
• Thattathin Marayathu (2012)

Radio anchor

• Laksham Laksham Pinnale (2013) (Reality show-Super 94.7 fm)

Theater performance

• Mukesh started Kalidasa Visual Magic for play productions. His first play Chayamukhi was in 2008 with Mohanlal and was written and directed by Prasanth Narayanan.^[15] He also appeared with his sister, Sandhya Rajendan and his wife Methil in the 2015 adaptation of Naaga, directed by Suveeran^[16]