10 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 peppy number 'Enoruvan' from Odiyan.

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. The song enjoyed spectacular success and again like many films where stars turned playback singer, helped in making the film a huge hit. He sang again, though this time it was a promo song for his father, Mammootty’s movie, ‘Manglish’. The song is notable for its use of local Kochi slang.

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). In many interviews Vineeth has said that he considers himself more as a singer and film maker than actor. He has won the AMMA Best Male Singer Award in 2008 for his songs ‘Mampullikavil’ from ‘Katha Parayumbol.

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.

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.