Vinayakan is an Indian actor, singer, and composer who is famous for his roles in South Indian movies.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Vinayakan T. K. [1]The Economic Times was born on Tuesday, 11 December 1990 (age 33 years; as of 2023) in Thoppil Junction, Edappally, Kerala. His zodiac sign is Sagittarius. He was born into a family with limited financial means. He experienced a childhood where even basic groceries were scarce.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
Wife & Children
In 2023, he got divorced from his wife, Babita, who is a bank employee. In 2023, he used Facebook Live to share that he and his wife were getting a divorce.
Address
He resides at Thalanganathra House, Near Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, Ernakulam, Kochi- 35.
Career
Vinayakan started his career as a dancer and created a dance team called Black Mercury. They were known for their expertise in Fire dance.
He has played funny supporting characters in numerous movies.
Film
Malayalam
Vinayakan made his acting debut with the film Maanthrikam (1995) and played the role of Michael Jackson’s dupe.
He appeared in many Malayalam films including Stop Violence (2002), Chathikkatha Chanthu (2004), Chinthamani Kolacase (2006), Thalsamayam Oru Penkutty (2012), Aadu – Oru Bheegara Jeevi Aanu (2015), Swathandriam Ardharathriyil (2018), Panthrandu (2022).
Tamil
In 2006, he made his debut in the Tamil film industry by appearing in the film Thimiru as Easwari’s sidekick.
He also appeared in many Tamil films including Silambattam (2008), Ellam Avan Seyal (2008), Siruthai (2011), Maryan (2013), and Jailer (2023).
Hindi
He made his debut in the Hindi film industry with the 2005 film James as Shanti Narayan’s henchman.
Telugu
In 2006, he appeared in the film Asadhyudu as Thambu which was his debut film in the Telugu film industry.
Music
Singer
He sang songs for the American comedy film Role Models in 2008 and Ordinary Fame in 2012.
Composer
He composed the song ‘Puzhu Pulikal’ for the Malayalam film Kammatipaadam.
Controversies
Accused of talking in an obscene manner with a women activist
In June 2019, the Kalpetta police took action against Vinayakan because he was accused of using disrespectful and offensive language towards a woman activist named Mruduladevi during a phone conversation. The woman claimed that he spoke to her in a rude and inappropriate way when she called him to invite him to an event. He was charged under IPC sections 509 (word, gesture or act intend to insult the modesty of a woman) and 294 (B) (uttering obscene words) and section 120 (O) (causing nuisance to any person by repeated or undesirable or anonymous calls) of the Kerala Police Act. [2]The Indian Express
Criticized for talking about the MeToo movement
In 2022, during a press conference for the movie “Oruthee,” Vinayakan made comments that caused controversy. He mentioned that he didn’t understand the MeToo movement and jokingly asked if requesting intimate favours from women was part of it. He also said that if that was the case, he would keep doing it. Additionally, he openly talked about having been in physical relationships with 10 women and emphasized that he always asked for their agreement before anything happened. After receiving a lot of criticism from people, he apologized to the journalist on Facebook and said,
Hi everyone. During the ‘Oruthee’ promotional event I used a certain language that one of the journalists (sister) found derogatory. It was not at all targeted on a personal level and I sincerely apologize for the comments made by me on that day that would have caused her inconvenience. Vinayakan.” [3]The Times of India
Charged for disrespecting Congress leader Oommen Chandy
In July 2023, Vinayakan became part of a dispute after he posted a video on social media. In the video, he made disrespectful comments about the funeral of Congress leader Oommen Chandy. He questioned who Oommen Chandy really was, saying he didn’t view him as the noble person the media portrayed. He also compared him to another late Congress leader, K. Karunakaran. Vinayakan also questioned why the media extensively covered Chandy’s mourning for three days. In the video, he said,
Who is Oommen Chandy? Why is he being mourned for three days? What shall we do now that he is dead? I’m advising the media to stop covering this. He may be a good man in your eyes, but not in mine. You are aware of what he did to Karunakaran, so stop talking and leave.”
After facing strong criticism from the public, Vinayakan removed the video, but by then, it had already spread widely on social media. This upset many leaders from the Congress party, who were displeased with his video. A member of the Youth Congress even submitted a formal request to a local authority, the Ernakulam assistant commissioner, asking for legal action to be taken by the police. Additionally, two more complaints were made by officials from the District Congress Committee and the Youth Congress. One of these complaints was directed to the State Police Chief. The Ernakulam Town North police registered a case against him under Indian Penal Code Sections 153 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony) and 297 (trespassing in place of worship or sepulchre, disturbing funeral with intention to wound the feeling or to insult the religion of any person, or offering indignity to a human corpse) and Section 120 (o) (causing, through any means of communication, a nuisance of himself to any person by repeated or undesirable or anonymous call, letter, writing, message, e-mail or through a messenger) of the Kerala Police Act. Once the complaint was lodged, the police received information that three individuals went to Vinayakan’s apartment on Stadium Link Road, but he didn’t respond or open the door. [4]The Hindu
Public Disturbance and Verbal Abuse
On 24 October 2023, Vinayakan was arrested by the Ernakulam North police for causing a disturbance in a public place while in a drunken state and for verbally abusing police officers. It was reported that a complaint had been filed against him for causing a disturbance at his residence following which he was called for questioning at the police station. During the interrogation, Vinayakan reportedly began verbally abusing the police officers, which led to his arrest. He, however, was later released on bail. [5]Onmanorama
Entering Into An Altercation At An Airport
In September 2024, Vinaykan was taken into custody by airport officials in Hyderabad after he reportedly misbehaved with the Indigo staff stationed at the check-in counter near the boarding gate. As per a CISF officer, he was intoxicated and verbally abused the staff members for which he was arrested. [6]Hindustan Times The officer said,
The actor was under the influence of alcohol and created a significant disturbance. We have registered a case accordingly.”
Awards
- 2016: Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for the Malayalam film Kammatipaadam
- 2016: Movie Munshi Cine Awards for Best Actor for the Malayalam film Kammatipaadam
- 2017: Filmfare Awards South for Best Supporting Actor for the Malayalam film Kammatipaadam
- 2017: CPC Cine Awards for Best Actor for the Malayalam film Kammatipaadam
- 2018: CPC Cine Awards for Best Character Actor for the Malayalam film Ee.Ma.Yau.
- 2019: Filmfare Awards South for Best Supporting Actor for the Malayalam film Ee.Ma.Yau.
Political Inclination
According to various interviews, he supports the left wing. [7]The Week
Facts/Trivia
- At the audio launch event of the movie “Jailer” in 2023, Rajinikanth revealed that Vinayakan wasn’t initially the preferred choice for the film. Rajinikanth had initially selected Nelson for the role, but during the filming of a fight scene, Rajinikanth felt uncomfortable hitting him. As a result, Vinayakan was brought in to replace Nelson for the role.
- Actor-turned-MLA K B Ganesh Kumar criticized Vinayakan for making negative comments about Congress leader Oommen Chandy. Ganesh Kumar remarked that individuals like Vinayakan shouldn’t be labelled as artists but rather as individuals struggling with addiction who live on the streets.
- He really loves dogs and frequently shares their pictures on social media.
- He frequently shares pictures of himself drinking alcohol and smoking on social media.
References