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Rima Kallingal
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Rima Kallingal is an Indian actress and film producer who primarily works in Malayalam films.[1]
Key Information
Early life and work
[edit]Born in Thrissur, Kerala, Kallingal began practising dancing when she was three years old.[2] A dancer by profession, she has been a part of a dance company called Nritarutya and has had performances on national and international stages.
She studied at Stanes Schools, Coonoor up to Fifth grade.[3] She completed her schooling at Chinmaya Vidyalayas, Thrissur, graduating in 2001. She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the Christ University, Bengaluru.[4][5] She is also skilled in Taekwondo (Korean martial art), Chao (Manipuri martial art) and Kalari.[2]
She was a semi-finalist of the Asianet reality show Vodafone Thakadhimi. She moved to Bengaluru to pursue a modelling career and later participated in the Miss Kerala beauty pageant, in which she became the first runner-up, losing to Shree Thulasi in a tie-breaker.[6]
Career
[edit]Kallingal was spotted by director Lal Jose on a magazine cover, who cast her as a goat herder role in a Tamil film Mazhai Varappoguthu.[7] The project didn't materialise, but she was offered the lead female character of Varsha by director Shyamaprasad for Ritu, which eventually marked her acting debut.[6] She was 25 when she acted in the film.[4]
In 2012, Kallingal played a nurse and rape victim in 22 Female Kottayam opposite Fahadh Faasil,[8] which had a decent run at the box office.[9][10] A critic of News18 noted, "The film belongs to Rima who sinks into the skin of the character with a spectacular performance."[11][12] The film earned her Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam and Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress.[13][14][15] After 22 Female Kottayam, she said that she had made some mistakes in her career and stated "Yes, I have done a few films I never should have, but I am determined not to repeat those mistakes".[12]
In 2013, Kallingal turned television anchor with the Mazhavil Manorama show "Midukki".[16] Following which the Kerala Film Chamber imposed a ban on her which was later revoked.[17] That year, Kallingal played a young housewife in August Club.[18] Paresh C Palicha of Rediff.com noted, "Rima as Savithri, is someone who has learnt to stifle her feelings and finding other ways to give them an outlet."[19]
Her other notable films include the 2015 film Rani Padmini alongside Manju Warrier and the 2019 film Virus alongside an ensemble cast.[20][21] Both films emerged commercial successes.[22][23] In Rani Padmini, she played a tomboy.[24] Deepa Soman was appreciative of her "knockout performance".[25] In Virus, she played a nurse battle the deadly disease.[26] Sowmya Rajendran found her performance "expressive".[27]
In the 2021 film, Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam, Kallingal played an entertainment reporter opposite Jitin Puthenchery.[28] Baradwaj Rangan found her to be "terrific".[29] The film won her Best Actress at the Diorama International Film Festival.[30]
Media image
[edit]
Kallingal's roles from 22 Female Kottayam, August Club and Rani Padmini are considered among the strongest female character in Malayalam films.[31][32][33] Kallingal was named the Kochi Times Most Desirable Women in 2012.[34] In 2014, she set up her own dance institute, named Mamangam in Kochi. It was later was shut down in 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[35]
Personal life
[edit]Kallingal married director Aashiq Abu on 1 November 2013, in a simple court wedding in Kochi.[36] As part of the occasion, the couple donated Rs 1 million towards the welfare of poor cancer patients at the General Hospital, Ernakulam, and Rs 25,000 to meet a day's expense of the dietary kitchen at the hospital.[37][38]
Filmography
[edit]As actress
[edit]- All projects are in Malayalam language unless noted
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Ritu | Varsha John | Malayalam debut[35] |
| Kerala Cafe | Grand daughter | Segment : Mrityunjayam[39] | |
| Neelathaamara | Shaarath Ammini | ||
| 2010 | Happy Husbands | Diana | [40] |
| Best of Luck | Diya | [41] | |
| 2011 | City of God | Surya Prabha | [42] |
| Ko | Herself | Tamil debut Special appearance | |
| Shankaranum Mohananum | Jyotsna Mathew | [43] | |
| Yuvan Yuvathi | Nisha | Tamil film | |
| Sevenes | Aravindan's sister | ||
| Doubles | Seetha Lakshmi | Cameo appearance | |
| Indian Rupee | Beena | [44] | |
| 2012 | Orkut Oru Ormakoot | Crystal Falth Ritz | |
| Unnam | Jennifer | [45] | |
| Nidra | Ashwathy | [35] | |
| 22 Female Kottayam | Tessa Kurissuparambil Abraham | [35] | |
| Husbands in Goa | Teena | [46] | |
| Ayalum Njanum Thammil | Diya | [47] | |
| Bavuttiyude Namathil | Noorjahan | [48] | |
| 2013 | Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath | Mahalakshmi | |
| Natholi Oru Cheriya Meenalla | Annie | ||
| August Club | Savithri | ||
| Zachariayude Garbhinikal | Fathima | ||
| Escape from Uganda | Shikha Samuel | ||
| Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal | Sini Alex | ||
| 2015 | Chirakodinja Kinavukal | Sumathi | |
| Rani Padmini | Rani | [49] | |
| 2017 | Kaadu Pookkunna Neram | Maoist | |
| Clint | Chinnamma | ||
| 2018 | Aabhaasam | Passenger | [50] |
| 2019 | Virus | Nurse Akhila | also producer[51] |
| 2021 | Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam | Maria | [35] |
| Chithirai Sevvaanam | Asha Nair | Tamil film[49] | |
| 2022 | Lalanna's Song | Miriam | [52] |
| 2023 | Neelavelicham | Bhargavi | Also producer[53][54] |
| 2025 | Theatre | Meera | [55] |
As producer
[edit]| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Gangster | Aashiq Abu | Associate producer |
| 2016 | Maheshinte Prathikaaram | Dileesh Pothan | |
| 2017 | Mayanadi | Aashiq Abu | |
| 2018 | Ee.Ma.Yau | Lijo Jose Pellissery | |
| 2019 | Virus | Aashiq Abu | Co-produced with Aashiq Abu |
| 2021 | Bheemante Vazhi | Ashraf Hamza | Co-produced with Chemban Vinod Jose and Aashiq Abu |
| 2022 | Naaradan | Aashiq Abu | Co-produced with Santhosh T. Kuruvilla and Aashiq Abu |
| 2023 | Neelavelicham | Aashiq Abu | Co-produced with Aashiq Abu[53] |
Television
[edit]| Year | Program | Role | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Midukki | Host | Mazhavil Manorama | reality show |
Web series
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Zindagi in Short | Dr. Kavya Menon | Hindi | Segment: "Sunny Side Upar" | [56] |
| 2025 | Yuva Sapnon Ka Safar | Kanya | Multilingual (mainly English) | Segment: Backstage | [57] |
Accolades
[edit]- 2012: Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress for Indian Rupee.[58]
- 2013: Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for 22 Female Kottayam.[59]
- 2013: Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for 22 Female Kottayam.[60]
- 2013: SIIMA Critics Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for 22 Female Kottayam.[61]
- 2013: Vanitha Film Award for Best Actress for 22 Female Kottayam.[62]
- 2016: Vanitha Film Award for Special Performance – Actress for Rani Padmini.[63]
- 2021: Vanitha Film Award for Best Social Responsible Actress for Virus.[64]
- 2025: Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress for Theatre - The Myth of Reality.[65]
References
[edit]- ^ "I take my words and actions seriously being a public figure: Rima Kallingal". The Times of India. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
- ^ a b Keerthy Ramachandran DC (20 October 2011). "Rima Kallingal: A bold and new face". Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ "You've got to react girl!". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
- ^ a b "Playing by their own rules | Society". Times Crest. 20 July 2013. Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ "Manorama Online | Rima Kallingal". Manoramanews.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ a b "Rima Kallingal strikes a pose". Sify. Archived from the original on 29 January 2014.
- ^ "Exclusive: Lal Jose's Tamil debut". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ "Revisiting Rima Kallingal's 22 Female Kottayam: An uncompromising film". The Indian Express. 14 April 2022. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ "Mollywood's small-budget films that did big wonders at the box office". The Times of India. 2 July 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
- ^ IANS (25 December 2012). "Year of small films at southern box-office". Zee News. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
- ^ Malayalam Review: '22 Female Kottayam' is excellent News18 Retrieved 29 November 2012
- ^ a b P.K. Ajith Kumar (7 May 2012). "22 Female Kottayam's success has Rima on cloud nine". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ Shiba Kurian (17 August 2012). "A proud moment for '22 Female Kottayam' crew". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ "I feel totally excited about 22 Female Kottayam". Rediff.com. 17 April 2012. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ "Kochi Times Film Awards '13- The Times of India Photogallery". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ Sajini Sahadevan (8 November 2012). "Quest for the smartest woman". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
- ^ "Kerala Film Chamber bans Rima Kallingal and more". News18. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Padmakumar, K (27 April 2013). "August Club: Intended classic turns dampener". Malayala Manorama. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ^ Palicha, Paresh C. (29 April 2013). "Review: August Club Since 1969 is nothing great". Rediff.com. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
- ^ Anjana George (16 October 2015). "Rani Padmini is a visual treat: Manju". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
- ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (4 September 2018). "Virus is about how Kerala tackled Nipah outbreak unitedly". The Times of India. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Surendhar M. K. (16 June 2019). "Kolaigaran pulls in Rs 6.8 cr from opening weekend in Tamil Nadu; Virus earns Rs 6 cr worldwide". Firstpost. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "The 25 best Malayalam films of the decade". The Hindu. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Rani Padmini". Rediff.com. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "Rani Padmini Movie Review". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- ^ Manu, Meera (7 June 2019). "Virus Movie Review: This Film About Nipah Outbreak Slowly Grows on You". News18. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Rajendran, Sowmya (7 June 2019). "'Virus' review: A compassionate, gripping medical thriller". www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Praveen, S. R. (15 February 2021). "'Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam' movie review: An experiment in 'captive' conversation". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
- ^ "IFF Kerala 2021: Don Palathara's Fascinating Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam, With Rima Kallingal And Jitin Puthenchery, Is Both Familiar And New". 13 February 2021.
- ^ "Rima Kallingal wins best actor award at Diorama Film Fest for 'Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam". The Week. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- ^ Jacob, Shalin. "15 powerful female characters in Malayalam films that are slowly breaking stereotypes". ScoopWhoop. Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
- ^ Sathyendran, Nita (18 December 2019). "The best women-centric Malayalam films of the decade". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- ^ "15 powerful female characters from Mollywood to Inspire You". Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "Rima Kallingal: Kochi Times Most Desirable Woman 2012". Times of India. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Rima Kallingal announces closing down of Mamangam dance studio". The News Minute. 5 February 2021. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "Ashiq Abu marries Rima Kallingal in a low key affair". News18. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
- ^ "Rima Kallingal marries director Aashiq Abu". Deccan Herald. 1 November 2013. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
- ^ "Rima Kallingal and Aashiq Abu tie the knot". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 January 2018. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ "The ten who made Kerala Cafe possible". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ "A look at the Malayalam film Happy Husbands". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 5 May 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Palicha, Paresh C. "Best of Luck: A flash of Priyadarshan". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ "'City of God' on TV". The Times of India. 31 October 2015. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- ^ Palicha, Paresh C. "Review: Shankaranum Mohananum looks jaded". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ George, Meghna. "First Look: Prithviraj's Indian Rupee". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- ^ Palicha, Paresh C. "Review: Unnam is off target". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Palicha, Paresh C. "Review: Husbands in Goa is hackneyed". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- ^ G, Vijay. "First Look: Director Lal Jose's Ayalum Njanum Thammil". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- ^ "Four Malayalam films to release this Christmas". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Mollywood Actress Rima Kallingal Aces The Mediaeval Look in Her Latest Post". News18. 8 February 2023. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "Rima Kallingal, Suraj Venjaramoodu team up for a social satire". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "Rima Kallingal opens up on her role as producer in Virus: 'I want my art to be strong and hard-hitting'". Firstpost. 6 June 2019. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "Rima-Parvathy film Lalanna's Song gets entry into US market through Cannes". The Times of India. 26 May 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Aashiq Abu's Neelavelicham to release a day before". Cinema Express. 26 March 2023. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ "Aashiq Abu's 'Neelavelicham' gets a release date". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
- ^ Desk, Cinema Express (25 August 2025). "Rima Kallingal-starrer Theatre gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Zindagi inShort review: Short film anthology infuses hope and happiness". The Hindustan Times. 26 February 2020. Archived from the original on 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
- ^ "Backstage review: Anjali Menon's film is a gentle take on the fragilities of friendship". The News Minute. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
- ^ "Mohanlal, Blessy win Critics' award for 'Pranayam'". The Hindu. 18 May 2012. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- ^ "Prithviraj and Rima Kallingal bag State film awards 2013". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ^ "The Winners at the 60th Idea Filmfare Awards South". Filmfare. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
- ^ "South Indian International Movie Awards - Malayalam". siima.in. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016.
- ^ "Vanitha Film awards went to the new generation stars: Fahadh & Reema". Asianet News. 14 February 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ "Winners of Vanitha Film Awards, 2015". Vinodadarshan. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Vanitha Film Awards 2020 winners list". Malayala Manorama. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
- ^ "Kerala Film Critics Award: 'Feminichi Fathima' Best Film, Tovino Thomas, Nazriya Nazim and Rima Kallingal win acting honours". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
External links
[edit]