Mukesh (born Mukesh Babu) is a veteran Indian film and stage actor and politician known for his work in Malayalam cinema. He is best known for his comedic roles. Mukesh is the current Member of the Legislative Assembly (M.L.A.) representing the Kollam constituency of Kerala state.
Mukesh was born to theater artists O. Madhavan and Vijayakumari, in Kollam, Kerala. He has two sisters, Sandhya Rajendran and Jayasree. Sandhya and her husband, E.A. Rajendran are also actors (stage and film). He had his primary education from Infant Jesus School Kollam and pursued a bachelor’s degree in science (B.Sc) from Sree Narayana College, Kollam. He holds a second bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from Law Academy, Thiruvananthapuram. He acted in dramas before entering the movie industry.
He was married to South Indian film actress Saritha. They have two sons Shravan and Tejas, before they separated by legal divorce. Shravan is pursuing M.B.B.S at Ras Al Khaima University, Dubai and Tejas is pursuing his undergraduate degree from Victoria University of Wellington New Zealand.Later, Mukesh married dancer Methil Devika on 24 October 2013. She worked as a lecturer in the Department of Post-graduate Studies (Mohiniyattam/Kathakali/Koodiyattam) and at the Research Department, Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University, Kerala.
He was elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly from Kollam constituency in Kerala assembly election 2016
Awards, honours and recognitions
- 2007 : Asianet Film Award for Best Film (Producer) – Kadha Parayumbol
- 2007 : Filmfare Award for Best Film – Malayalam (Producer) – Kadha Parayumbol
- 2007 : Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value-Kadha Parayumbol
- 2011 : ISC Award[10]
- 2013 : Kerala Film Critics Association Awards[11] – Second Best Actor – English: An Autumn in London, Vasanthathinte Kanalvazhikal
- 2016 : Asianet Special Awards- Multifaceted personality of the year
