Kunchacko Boban

Kunchacko Boban was introduced into the Malayalam film industry by versatile director Fazil. His debut film Aniathipravu (1997), co-starring Shalini, and directed by Fazil,[22] the film turned to be the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever and Kunchacko Boban's performance as Sudhi, the lead character was well-received by young audiences and families. Kunchacko Boban - Shalini pair was considered as one of the best star pair of malayalam film industry.|[23] Following the success of Aniathipravu, Kunchacko Boban was casted in hit films such as Nakshathrathaarattu (1998), Mayilpeelikkavu (1998) and Niram (1999), which was one of 1999's the highest-grossing Malayalam film and songs of "Niram" are still very popular.|[24] The actor reunited with his debut film's director Fazil in Harikrishnans, where he played a cameo, which marked the reunion of Mohanlal and Mammootty after nine years and it was the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year.|[25] Then came again with commercially successful films such as Priyam (2000), Sathyam Sivam Sundaram (2000), Dosth (2001), Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka (2001) and Kalyanaraman (2002). His performances in super hit films such as Kasthooriman (2003)[26] and Swapnakkoodu (2003)[27] was also appreciated. The movie Ee Snehatheerathu earned him a Special Jury Award for his performances at the 2004 Kerala State Film Awards.[28]

In 2005, after his marriage, he took a break from films.

Kunchacko Boban returned to films in 2008 with a special appearance in a song in Twenty:20 and later acted in Shafi's LollyPop. His real comeback was in 2009 with comedy film Gulumal: The Escape, directed by popular ad filmmaker and director V. K. Prakash. Gulumal was followed by a string of successful films which established him as one of the most successful actors of the last decade and he made a complete makeover of his screen image in his comeback. In 2010 he played the lead role in the films such as Jeethu Joseph's Mummy & Me, Sakudumbam Shyamala and Lal Jose's Elsamma Enna Aankutty, all of which were commercial successes and reviewers praised Kunchacko Boban for his performance in Elsamma Enna Aankutty.[29]

In 2011, he played the central character in the road thriller film Traffic. The film's success and wide critical acclaim ushered in a trend that followed in Malayalam cinema, dubbed the "New generation movies". This was followed by another film Seniors where for the first time he took on a negative role playing a criminal, which was a blockbuster at the box office[30] and he won SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role - Malayalam. In the same year he acted again in successful films like Three Kings, Sevens and Doctor Love.[31] He also won the Youth Icon award at Asianet Film Awards.

In 2012, he was featured in three films, Lal Jose's Spanish Masala, Ordinary and Mallu Singh. In Spanish Masala he played a full length negative role which had Dileep as main lead. Ordinary had a high opening at the Kerala box office and had 10,000 showings in theatres before reaching the 50-day mark.[32] Mallu Singh is credited as 50th film of Kunchacko Boban. Ordinary and Mallu Singh both films became major commercial success at the box office.[33]

His started 2013 with comedy thriller Romans, which was a blockbuster at the box office and later, 3 Dots, God for Sale: Bhakthi Prasthanam,[34] Kadhaveedu, Vishudhan and Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum is regarded as the best comedy entertainer of 2013.[35]

Kunchacko Boban also gained critical acclaim for his performance, in films such as God for Sale: Bhakthi Prasthanam(2013), Vishudhan(2013), Kadhaveedu(2013), How Old Are You (2014), Madhura Naranga (2015), Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal (2015) and Vettah (2016).

He was also a part of Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal, directed by Dr. Biju, was an eye-opener on how the use of endosulfan affected Northern Kerala villages.[36] The film was screened at the United Nations and was also selected for many world-famous film festivals including the Toronto Film Festival, New York Indian Film Festival, and International Film Festival of India. Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal earned the national award for Best Film made on environmental preservation.[37]

In 2016, Kunchacko revamped Udaya Pictures, the iconic Malayalam production house. Kochauvva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho marked his debut as a producer under this new film outfit and the film was a hit at box-office.[38]

The year 2017 saw three films, Take Off, Ramante Eden Thottam and Varnyathil Aashanka, earned him numerous accolades as a mature and versatile actor.[39]Take Off was produced in memory of the late director Rajesh Pillai and earned several awards in State, National and International competitions.[40][41] The characters of these films earned him the Family Hero award at the Vanitha Film Awards and Best Actor critics award at the Asianet Film Awards.[42] The film also happened to release on the 20th anniversary of his film debut Aniyathipravu.

He began 2018 with back-to-back successful films, Shikkari Shambhu, Kuttanadan Marpappa and Panchavarnathatha.[43] His next two releases were Mangalyam Thanthunanena and Johny Johny Yes Appa. His final release of the year was Lal Jose's Thattumpurath Achuthan.[44]

His releases of 2019 were comedy thriller Allu Ramendran and a medical thriller Virus. Allu Ramendran met with positive response and was a commercial success. Virus received critical acclaim and was a major box office success of 2019. His performance in both films was highly praised.

His first release of 2020 was crime thriller Anjaam Pathiraa, the film received highly positive reviews and becomes the first blockbuster film of 2020 in Mollywood. The film considered as the highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year grossed ₹60 crores worldwide [45] and also the highest TRP rated Malayalam film of the year across all channels as well as Surya Tv's all time biggest TRP rated film ever.