Malayalam Actors Who Crooned In Films

Arguably one of the best actors alive in India today, Mohanlal is not new to playback singing. The versatile actor crooned his first song in 1986 for the film ‘Kandu Kandarinju’, singing the still popular song ‘Neeyarinjo’. In a career spanning almost four decades, the actor has sung in around 30 films and five albums. Mohanlal sang for Joshiy’s ‘Run Baby Run’. The track titled ‘Aattumanal Payayil’ became a chartbuster and was instrumental in turning the film into a super hit. The latest credit to Mohanlal-the singer is when he sang the soothing number 'Kando Kando' from Ittymaani Made In China.

Actor Mukesh joined the long list of artists who have a talent for singing in films. Surprisingly, the actor who had been in the industry for close to 4 decades is debuting as a singer for Rameshan Oru Peralla. Directed by Sujith Vigneshwar, the film has musical scores by Gemini Unnikrishnan. The song is penned by Gemini and Mukesh has sung a Goan-style song. Gemini says that Mukesh loved trying new things and hence enjoyed singing the song. 

Joju George won the State Award for Best Supporting Actor for starring in and as Joseph. His controlled yet terrific performance showed the audience the brilliant an actor he was and how the industry had under-utilised him. Looks like, Joju is not only a terrific actor but a good singer too. He sang the song Pandu Paadavarambathiloode from Joseph.

Indrajith Sukumaran, son of veteran actor Sukumaran is one of the most natural actors of Mollywood. He is a natural singer to and have sung 9 songs including Premam ennal from Amar Akbar Antony and Happy Husbands from the movie of same name. His latest as a singer is Naadum Vitte from fan movie Mohanlal.

Pranav Mohanlal, son of the superstar of mollywood Mohanlal, never let down his father. He proved his versatility not only as an actor but also as a singer in his film Aadhi. He sang the peppy track Gypsy Woman from Aadhi. 

Marali Gopi is a multi-talented artist who has proven himself as a script writer, actor, lyricist and singer. He has sung songs like LRL Anthem, Pakalinu Veyil from 1 by 2, Kalippu from blockbuster Premam and Bham Bham Shiv from Tiyaan. However, his Kalippu song was a huge hit among youngsters. Now, he has lent his voice to the vintage patriotic song Varika Varika from Lucifer.

The muscle man of Mollywood, Unni Mukundan has sung some really beautiful songs. The rendering of Anuragam Puthumazhapole from Achayans shows that he is an actor with immense talent in singing too.He also sang Etho Vazhitharayil from Chanakya Thantram. His latest track as a singer is Charathu Nee from Mammukka's Oru Kuttanadan Blog.

Jayasurya proved that he is not only a versatile actor but also a good singer. He sang songs for his own movies like Punyalan Agarbathies, Aadu and Amar Akbar Antony. He sang the fun-filled Kuruthakkedinte Koodane for Prithviraj's Paavada. The recent one from Jayasurya is the peppy track Kappalandi from Guiness Pakru's Ilayaraja.

The reason Megastar Mammootty earned the tag and still continues as the top star in Malayalam is, re-invention. The actor has never shied away from doing something completely unexpected. He came up with ‘Rajamanikyam’ an out-and-out comedy, when the grape wine was that he can’t do comedy. Breaking his macho image Mammootty had sung the ‘Ladies Collegil Campus’ song in 1995. He went on to sing on to sing in seven more films. His most famous songs would be ‘Poliyoo Poli’ from ‘Pallavoor Devanarayanan’ (1999) and ‘Manjinte Maarala’ from ‘Loudspeaker’ (2009).

Prithviraj, the ‘Ennu Ninte Moideen’ star is an accomplished playback singer now. He has sung in nine films till now, including the recent hit ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’. He made his playback singing debut with the ‘Kaane Kaane’ track from ‘Puthiya Mukham’, directed by Diphan. The song became a rage in Kerala, resulting in innumerable cover versions, parodies, gaining a cult status in popular culture. His song ‘Ivide’ for the Shyamaprasad film with the same name was also a hit. His latest song Arikil Ini Njan Varam from the thriller film Adam John is a soulful track.

Dulquer Salmaan, star of films like ‘Bangalore Days’ and ‘OK Kanmani’ shocked the world when he released his first song. ‘Johny Money Johny’, composed by Gopi Sunder from the movie ‘ABCD’ was an instant chart buster. He sang again, though this time it was a promo song for his father, Mammootty’s movie, ‘Manglish’. His Chundari penne from Charlie was a rage. He also crooned Vanam Thilathilakkanu for his movie CIA.

Son of popular actor and script writer Sreenivasan, Vineeth made his debut in films as a playback singer with ‘Karale Karalinte’ from ‘Udayananu Tharam’ (2004). The actor established himself as a hero in Mollywood with films like ‘Cycle’ (2004), ‘Makante Achan’ (2009), ‘Traffic’ (2011) and ‘Chappa Kurishu’ (2011). He has recently sung songs which became chart busters like Manikya Malaraya poovi and Rasathi Enna Vittu.

Impressionist, comedian, actor and singer, Kalababhavan Mani is a pro in the field. Starting from ‘Sammanam’ in 1995 till ‘Twenty 20’ (2010), the actor has lend his voice in 24 films. He is an accomplished album singer and is a regular in devotional album cassettes. His most popular tracks from films include, ‘Kuttanadan Kayalile’ (Kaazhcha), ‘Malamalalooya’ (Ananthabhadram), ‘Sona Sona’ (Ben Johnson), etc.

Actor, producer, comedian, impressionist Dileep has kept on raising the bar with every release of his. He has become the most bankable actor in Malayalam today because of his versatility. He has crooned in a total of five films till now, though he is somewhat like an authority in parody songs. The actor used to be a popular voice artist before getting a break as an actor. The most famous film song he has lent his voice is ‘Saare Saare Saambharey’ from ‘Thilakkam’.

Suresh Gopi, is another actor who is known for his singing prowess as well as his acting abilities. He has sung many songs in his three decade long film career. The star made his debut with the much loved ‘Oru Kulappoo Pole’ track from ‘Pranayavarnangal’ (1998). He has also crooned for many albums and devotional cassettes. He is also a regular at singing in stage shows and award nights. His latest is Cheru Cheru from Ilayaraja- a Ratheesh Vega Musical.

Jayaram, just like Dileep came from the world of comedy. The ‘Thinkal Muthal Velli Vare’ actor used to be a popular comedian and impressionist before making his debut with Padmarajan’s ‘Aparan’ (1988). The actor has sung in six films and many albums. His most famous tracks include ‘Thappo Thappo’ form ‘Ente Veedu Appoontem’ and ‘Thakkida Tharikida’ from ‘Mayilaattam’. His last outing as a singer was for Joshiy’s ‘Salaam Kashmir’ (2014).

Asif Ali, the talented actor-producer has been part of some of the path breaking films in Malayalam like ‘Traffic’ and ‘Salt N Pepper’. He joined the club of actors who were into playback singing with the film, ‘The Bicycle Thieves’. He sang the popular ‘Aayiram Kannumayi’ track which originally from Fazil’s ‘Nokkatha Doorath Kannum Nattu’. The song was recorded by Jerry Amaldev who had composed the original song. Asif sang a song Pournami Superalleda  from his latest Vijay Superum Pournamiyum along with Vineeth Sreenivasan.