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Nivin Pauly, born on October 11, 1984, is a prominent Indian actor and producer primarily known for his work in Malayalam cinema. He has received numerous accolades, including two Kerala State Film Awards and three Filmfare South awards.
His journey in the film industry began when he successfully auditioned for a pivotal role in Vineeth Sreenivasan’s debut directorial venture, “Malarvaadi Arts Club,” in 2009. However, it was the romantic movie “Thattathin Marayathu” in 2012 that catapulted him to stardom.
Nivin Pauly is renowned for portraying relatable, “boy next door” characters in various films, such as the bilingual black-comedy thriller “Neram” (2013), the sports-drama “1983” (2014), the romantic-comedy “Ohm Shanthi Oshaana” (2014), and the coming-of-age romantic drama “Premam” (2015), which ranks among the top 10 highest-grossing Malayalam films.
He continued to diversify his roles by appearing in films like the police drama “Action Hero Biju” (2016), the family drama “Jacobinte Swargarajyam” (2016), and the political satire “Sakhavu” (2017). Notably, he ventured into film production with his company, Pauly Jr. Pictures, and Nivin Pauly Movies like “Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela” and “Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham” (2021), which was the first Malayalam movie to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar.
Nivin Pauly’s talent earned him several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for “Neram” (2013) and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his performances in “Bangalore Days” and “1983” in 2015. He also clinched the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam for “Action Hero Biju” (2016). In 2020, he received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor – Special Mention for his role in “Moothon.”
From 2022 onward, Nivin Pauly has been part of notable films like “Mahaveeryar,” “Padavettu,” “Saturday Night,” “Thuramukham,” and “Ramachandra Boss & Co.”
Nivin Pauly Early Life
Nivin’s story begins in Aluva, Ernakulam, on October 11, 1984, where he was born into a Syro Malabar Catholic family. His parents, Pauly Bonaventure and Thressiamma Pauly, worked in Aarau, Switzerland. Despite being born abroad, Nivin grew up in the beautiful state of Kerala. He pursued a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering at the Federal Institute of Science and Technology (FISAT) in Angamaly, graduating in 2006.
After his education, Nivin secured a job at Infosys in Bangalore through campus placements. He worked there as a software engineer from 2006 to 2008. However, life took a different turn for Nivin after the unfortunate passing of his father. He made the difficult decision to resign from his job and return home.
Nivin Pauly Career
After initially gaining recognition, Nivin Pauly took on various roles in movies like “The Metro” and “Sevenes,” and made brief appearances in “Traffic” and “Spanish Masala.” He also featured in the music video “Nenjodu Cherthu” from the album “Yuvvh,” which received immense popularity on YouTube.
In 2012, his standout performance came in the film “Thattathin Marayathu,” where he played Vinod, a Hindu youth deeply in love with Ayesha, a Muslim girl. This movie marked a turning point in his career, establishing him as a sought-after actor in the Malayalam film industry. Subsequently, he received offers from esteemed directors like Sathyan Anthikad, Rajesh Pillai, Aashiq Abu, and Shyamaprasad.
In 2013, Nivin made his Tamil debut with “Neram” and acted in Malayalam films such as “5 Sundarikal” and “Arikil Oraal.” One of his notable works was Shyamaprasad’s “English: An Autumn in London,” where he portrayed a London-born playboy. In “5 Sundarikal,” he featured in the segment directed by Sameer Thahir.
In 2014, he garnered critical acclaim for his role as Rameshan in Abrid Shine’s “1983,” a sports film, earning him several awards. He also starred in Jude Anthany Joseph’s “Ohm Shanthi Oshaana” and the coming-of-age romantic comedy “Bangalore Days,” directed by Anjali Menon.
In 2015, Nivin Pauly movies like “Mili,” “Oru Vadakkan Selfie,” and “Ivide.” He played the role of Naveen, a soft-skills trainer, in “Mili.” “Oru Vadakkan Selfie” and “Premam” were significant hits, with the latter propelling him into the ’50-crore club.’ The film collected ₹2 crore at the Tamil Nadu box office during its extended run. His portrayal of George in “Premam” earned him praise and recognition.
Continuing his successful streak, Nivin acted in “Action Hero Biju,” “Jacobinte Swargarajyam,” and “Sakhavu.” In “Jacobinte Swargarajyam,” he portrayed the role of Jerry, a son trying to clear his father’s debts. “Sakhavu” marked his first dual role as a student political leader and a social activist.
In 2017, Nivin ventured into Tamil cinema with “Richie,” a crime drama. He also produced and starred in the heartwarming film “Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela.” In 2018, he achieved immense success with “Kayamkulam Kochunni,” a big-budget movie that entered the 100-crore club.
Nivin continued his successful journey in 2019 with films like “Hey Jude,” “Mikhael,” “Love Action Drama,” and “Moothon.” His role in “Moothon” earned him accolades, including the Kerala State Film Awards – Special Mention and recognition in Film Companion’s 100 Greatest Performances of the Decade.
In 2021, he starred in “Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham,” followed by “Mahaveeryar” and “Padavettu” in 2022. “Padavettu” had its trailer launch at the Indian Super League, making it a unique event in film promotion. Nivin’s upcoming projects include “Saturday Night,” “Thuramukham,” “Ramachandra Boss & Co,” and “Yezhu Kadal Yezhu Malai.” He has also announced a new project titled “Dear Students” under his home banner.
Nivin Pauly Debut and Breakthrough (2010–2012)
In the early years of his career (2010-2012), Nivin Pauly took on roles in films like “The Metro” and “Sevenes.” He also made cameo appearances in “Traffic” and “Spanish Masala.” One notable moment was his appearance in the music video “Nenjodu Cherthu” from the album “Yuvvh,” which gained massive popularity on YouTube.
However, the real turning point came in 2012 when he starred in “Thattathin Marayathu.” In this film, Nivin played Vinod, a Hindu boy deeply in love with Ayesha, a Muslim girl. The movie became a huge hit, solidifying Nivin’s status as a sought-after actor in the Malayalam film industry. Directors like Sathyan Anthikad, Rajesh Pillai, Aashiq Abu, and Shyamaprasad began to offer him roles.
Nivin Pauly Rise to Prominence (2013–2015)
Nivin ventured into the Tamil film industry with “Neram” in 2013. He continued his success in Malayalam cinema with films like “5 Sundarikal” and “Arikil Oraal.” Notably, his role in “1983” earned him accolades, including the Best Actor Award at the 2014 Kerala State Film Awards.
He also gained recognition for his performances in “Ohm Shanthi Oshaana” and “Bangalore Days.” In 2015, “Premam” became a blockbuster, catapulting him into the elite ’50-crore club.’ His portrayal of George David in the film received critical acclaim.
Nivin Pauly Personal Life
Nivin Pauly married his college sweetheart, Rinna Joy, in 2010, and they have a son and a daughter.
FAQs on Nivin Pauly Biography
Who is Nivin Pauly?
Nivin Pauly is a prominent Indian actor and producer known for his work primarily in Malayalam cinema. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his performances in various films.
What are some of Nivin Pauly's notable films?
Nivin Pauly has acted in several notable films, including 'Thattathin Marayathu,' 'Premam,' 'Bangalore Days,' '1983,' 'Action Hero Biju,' 'Jacobinte Swargarajyam,' and 'Moothon,' among others.
When did Nivin Pauly's career in the film industry begin?
Nivin Pauly's journey in the film industry started with his role in Vineeth Sreenivasan's debut directorial venture, 'Malarvaadi Arts Club,' in 2009. However, he gained significant recognition with his role in 'Thattathin Marayathu' in 2012.
Has Nivin Pauly won any awards for his acting?
Yes, Nivin Pauly has received several awards for his acting, including two Kerala State Film Awards and three Filmfare South awards. He has also won awards for specific films like '1983,' 'Action Hero Biju,' and 'Moothon.'
What is Nivin Pauly's personal background?
Nivin Pauly was born on October 11, 1984, in Aluva, Ernakulam, Kerala, into a Syro Malabar Catholic family. He pursued a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering and briefly worked as a software engineer before entering the film industry.
