Keezhoote Balakrishna Ganesh Kumar (born 25 May 1966), known as K. B. Ganesh Kumar, is an Indian politician, actor and television host. He is the chairperson of the Kerala Congress (B). He served as the Minister for Transport in the Government of Kerala from 2001 to 2003 and again from December 2023 to May 2026.[3] He also served as the Minister for Forests, Environment, Sports and Cinema from 2011 to 2013. He was a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly representing the Pathanapuram Assembly constituency from 2001 to 2026.[4] He made his debut as an actor in the film Irakal (1985) directed by K. G. George. He has starred in over 100 Malayalam films, performing a variety of roles.
K. B. Ganesh Kumar | |
|---|---|
 Kumar in 2018 | |
| Minister of Transport, Government of Kerala | |
| In office 29 December 2023 – 23 May 2026 | |
Governor | |
Chief Minister | Pinarayi Vijayan |
| Preceded by | Antony Raju |
| Succeeded by | C. P. John |
| In office 17 May 2001 – 2003 | |
| Preceded by | C. K. Nanu |
| Succeeded by | N. Sakthan |
| Chairman of Kerala Congress (B) | |
| Assumed office 10 May 2021 | |
| Preceded by | R. Balakrishna Pillai |
| Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 13 May 2001 – 23 May 2026 | |
| Preceded by | K. Prekash Babu |
| Succeeded by | Jyothi Kumar Chamakkala |
| Constituency | Pathanapuram |
| Minister of Forests & Environment, Sports and Cinema, Government of Kerala | |
| In office 23 May 2011 – 1 April 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Binoy Viswam |
| Succeeded by | Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan |
| President of Nair Service Society, Pathanapuram Taluk Union | |
| In office 27 December 2021 – 14 March 2026 | |
| Preceded by | R. Balakrishna Pillai |
| Succeeded by | K. Thankappan Pillai (as the Chairman of the interim ad hoc committee)[2] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 25 May 1966 |
| Party | Kerala Congress (B) (UDF: 2001–2014) (Independent 2014-2015) (LDF: 2015–present) |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
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| Occupation |
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| Website | kbganeshkumar |
He was the Minister for Forests & Environment, Sports and Cinema in the Government of Kerala beginning May 2011 until his resignation on 1 April 2013. He was elected from Pathanapuram in 2001 and has represented the constituency till the year 2026. He was Transport Minister from May 2001 to March 2003. He is the son of R. Balakrishna Pillai, former Minister of Kerala. In 2023, the Nair Service Society appointed Ganesh Kumar in the NSS Board of Directors, replacing Kalanjoor Madhu, the elder brother of K. N. Balagopal, the Minister for Finance, Government of Kerala.[5]
Political career
editIn May 2001, Ganesh Kumar was elected to the Kerala Assembly from Pathanapuram on a Kerala Congress (B) ticket. He defeated K. Prakash Babu, by a margin of 9,931 votes.[6] Ganesh Kumar's father and former Minister, R. Balakrishna Pillai had been elected from the neighbouring constituency of Kottarakara, which he had represented for several decades.
Ganesh Kumar became Transport Minister in the Antony cabinet in May 2001 and went on to give a good account of himself.[citation needed] Though a political novice at that time, he turned around the ailing KSRTC and earned a reputation for providing a clean and efficient administration. In March 2003, he stepped down from his ministerial post to facilitate his father's induction into the Cabinet.
In the 2006 Assembly elections, Ganesh Kumar was once again elected from Pathanapuram, this time realising an increased victory margin of 11,814 votes by defeating K. R. Chandramohanan of CPI.[7] LDF had made a clean sweep, winning 11 out of 12 seats in Kollam District and a formidable majority in the State Assembly, thereby making Ganesh Kumar the only UDF MLA from Kollam district. The election also saw the defeat of many of his former ministerial colleagues, including M. K. Muneer, P. K. Kunhalikutty, Babu Divakaran and Ganesh Kumar's father Balakrishna Pillai.
In the 2011 Assembly elections, Ganesh Kumar scored a hat-trick win from Pathanapuram with an even bigger margin of 20,402 votes, trouncing his veteran CPM rival, K. Rajagopal.[8][9] He went on to become a Minister for Forests, Sports and Cinema in the Oommen Chandy cabinet in May 2011. He resigned from cabinet due to the domestic violence case filed by his wife Yamini Thankachi on 7 April 2013.
In the 2016 Assembly elections, Ganesh Kumar become an LDF candidate and defeated Jagadish of Indian National Congress by a margin of 24,562 votes.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, Ganesh Kumar become an LDF candidate and defeated Jyothi Kumar Chamakkala of Indian National Congress by a margin of 14,674 votes.[10]
However, in the 2026 Assembly elections, Ganesh Kumar contested as LDF candidate lost for the first time in the Pathanapuram constituency, Jyothi Kumar Chamakkala of the Indian National Congress defeated him by a margin of 8,310 votes.[11]
Personal life
editGanesh was born as the son of former minister R. Balakrishna Pillai and Valsala Kumari in Kollam, Kerala on 25 May 1966. He was an alumnus of Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram.[12][13][14][15]
On 20 May 1994, he married Dr. Yamini Thankachy, who worked as a senior research fellow at the Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies while pursuing her Ph.D. in Adolescent health. The couple have two sons, Adithyan and Devaraman. The couple later divorced due to irreconcilable differences due to Kumar's infidelity and domestic violence. Ganesh married Bindhu Menon on 24 January 2014 who works as marketing head in Asianet.[16]
Film career
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (December 2020) |
Ganesh Kumar made his debut in the 1985 Malayalam film Irakal directed by K. G. George. The film was adjudged the second best film for the year. Over the years he made his a mark on the silver screen as a supporting actor, performing a variety of roles during the last two decades. Since 2001 he has balanced his role as MLA with his acting duties.
Ganesh Kumar's early films saw him frequently donning the role of villain or anti-social, as portrayed in Cheppu (1987) and Rakuyilin Ragasadassil. The film Lion (2005), starring Dileep and Kavya Madhavan was loosely based on Ganesh Kumar's life. The movie fared well at the box office.
In March 2008, Ganesh Kumar was chosen by the Frame Media Gallup poll to receive the best actor award for his role in the Amrita TV serial Aliyanmarum Penganmarum. He went on to win the State Award for Best Television Actor (2007) for his role in the serial Madhavam, aired on Surya TV.
Controversy
editFenny Balakrishnan, the former lawyer and counsel for Saritha S Nair, the prime accused in the 2013 solar scam, had raised serious allegations against Ganesh Kumar,[17] saying that Ganesh Kumar added four pages to Saritha S. Nair's letter, bringing the total number of pages to 25.[18]
In 2018, he allegedly assaulted a youth in a road rage incident, with the youth ending up in a hospital for injury treatment.[19] Later that year he allegedly manhandled a school headmaster in a school event, facing charges.[20]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Irakal | Baby | |
| 1986 | Sukhamo Devi | Chandran | |
| Yuvajanotsavam | Rajeevan | ||
| 1987 | Cheppu | Ranjith | |
| Kadhakku Pinnil | Mohanan | ||
| Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar | Raju | ||
| Sarvakalashala | Panchara | ||
| Oru Vivada Vishayam | Unni | ||
| 1988 | Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal | ||
| Oru Muthassi Katha | Unnikrishnan | ||
| Chithram | Lissy's Brother | ||
| Janmandharam | Murali | ||
| Dhinarathrangal | Chekutty | ||
| Mrithyunjayam | Robin | ||
| Sangham | Anil | ||
| Mukthi | Vinod | ||
| Manasa Maine Varu | Raju | ||
| 1989 | Puthiya Karukkal | Suresh | |
| Devadas | Rajashekharan Thampi | ||
| Vandanam | Raghu | ||
| Adharvam | Vishnu | ||
| Jagratha | Kumar | ||
| Nair Saab | Cadet Ganeshan | ||
| Eenam Thettatha Kattaru | Rajesh | ||
| 1990 | Randam Varavu | Tomy | |
| Gajakesariyogam | Vasu | ||
| Aye Auto | Suresh | ||
| Veena Meettiya Vilangukal | |||
| Malayogam | Georgekutty | ||
| Kottayam Kunjachan | Mathan | ||
| Ponnaranjanam | Gilbert | ||
| 1991 | Parallel College | Vikraman | |
| Abhimanyu | Gopalakrishnan | ||
| Kaakka Thollayiram | Balakrishnan | ||
| Njan Gandharvan | Pradeep | ||
| Kuttapathram | Peter | ||
| Apoorvam Chilar | Benny | ||
| Kilukkam | Justice Pillai's son | ||
| Nayam Vyakthamakkunnu | Journalist | ||
| 1992 | Aardram | Abu | |
| Manyanmaar | Vikraman's third son | ||
| Kaazhchakkppuram | Vijayan | ||
| Kasargod Khader Bhai | |||
| Ootty Pattanam | Rama Varma | ||
| Kizhakkan Pathrose | James | ||
| Neelakurukkan | Nassar | ||
| Mahanagaram | Raju | ||
| 1993 | Ammayane Sathyam | Cherian | |
| Mafia | Murukan | ||
| Janam | Mahesh | ||
| Customs Diary | Jamal | ||
| Manichithrathazhu | Dasappan Kutty | ||
| Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans | Prasannan | ||
| Ekalavyan | Unni Joseph Mulaveedan | ||
| 1994 | Gamanam | Bhasi | |
| Pakshe | Nandini's brother | ||
| Nandini Oppol | Anil | ||
| Commissioner | Prasad | ||
| Rudraksham | Surendra Reddy | ||
| 1995 | Vishnu | Chandramohan | |
| Agrajan | Anto Joseph | ||
| The King | Prasad | ||
| 1996 | Samoohyapadom | ||
| Mahatma The Great | |||
| Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan | Raju | ||
| 1997 | Asuravamsam | Dr. Mohan | |
| Kalyanappittannu | |||
| Guru | |||
| Aaram Thamburan | Ashok Kumar | ||
| Varnapakittu | Tonichen | ||
| 1998 | The Truth | SIT Team Member | |
| 1999 | Ustaad | Sethu | |
| F.I.R | Roy Alex | ||
| Crime File | Raju Namasivaya | ||
| Aayiram Meni | Lalichan | ||
| Olympian Antony Adam | ASP Nasser IPS | ||
| 2000 | Susanna | Johny | |
| Dada Sahib | Das | ||
| Pilots | Vinayachandran | ||
| 2003 | Kilichundan Mampazham | Umar | |
| 2004 | Vismayathumbathu | Medical College Professor | |
| 2006 | Photographer | Ananthan | |
| 2007 | Hallo | Sudheesh Nambiar | |
| Ali Bhai | Therandi Ramu | ||
| 2008 | Veruthe Oru Bharya | Doctor | |
| 2009 | Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded | Hari | |
| Keralotsavam | |||
| Kadha, Samvidhanam Kunchakko | SP Manoj Pothan | ||
| Rahasya Police | Parampathu Raju | ||
| Vellathooval | City Police Commissioner Aby | ||
| Swantham Lekhakan | Vishnu | ||
| Red Chillies | Inspector Upendra Verma | ||
| Ivar Vivahitharayal | Jeevan | ||
| 2010 | Janakan | ACP Rajeev Kumar | |
| Alexander the Great | Ravi Varma | ||
| Kaaryasthan | CI Sabarinathan | ||
| Four Friends | Dr. Nandhagopal | ||
| 2011 | Nakharam | ||
| Priyappetta Nattukare | |||
| 2012 | My Boss | Tom George | |
| Spirit | Ashraf | ||
| 2013 | Up & Down: Mukalil Oralundu | Siyad Ahemmed | |
| Ladies and Gentleman | Shivashankara Menon | ||
| 2014 | Avatharam | Sudhakaran | |
| Mizhi Thurakku | |||
| Villali Veeran | Pavithran | ||
| 2016 | Hallelooya | Father Francis | |
| 2018 | Mandharam | Rajesh's father | |
| 2019 | Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel | Vincent Thomas | |
| Mera Naam Shaji | Dominic George | ||
| 2021 | Saajan Bakery Since 1962 | Cheriyan | |
| Drishyam 2 | CI Philip Mathew | ||
| Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham | Verkkottu Panicker | ||
| 2022 | Aaraattu | SP Joseph Cherian | |
| Monster | SP Joseph Cherian IPS | ||
| 2023 | Neru | CI Paul Varghese | [21] |
| 2024 | Gaganachari | Major Victor Vasudevan | [22] |
| 2026 | Drishyam 3 | DySP Philip Mathew | [23] |
Television
edit- Ammayi (Doordarshan)
- Dr. Harischadra (Doordarshan)
- Samayam (Asianet)
- Gandharva Yamam (Asianet)
- Sindhooram (Asianet)
- Radhamadhavam (Surya TV)
- Mohangal (Doordarshan)
- Oru Kudayum Kunjipengalum (Doordarshan)
- Melappadam (Doordarshan)
- Jwalayayi (Doordarshan)
- Madhavam (Surya TV)
- Megham (Asianet)
- Vikramadithyan (Asianet)
- Ammathottil (Asianet)
- Aliyanmarum Penganmarum (Amrita TV)
- Mandaram (Kairali TV)
- Bhamini Tholkkarilla (Asianet)
- Jagratha (Amrita TV)
- Kalyani (Mazhavil Manorama)[24]
TV shows as Host
edit- Nammal Thammil (Asianet)
Awards
editReferences
edit- ↑ "Council of Ministers". www.niyamasabha.nic.in. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- ↑ "Ahead of Kerala Assembly polls, Nair Service Society dissolves Pathanapuram taluk union led by Minister Ganesh Kumar".
- ↑ "Transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar ridicules V D Satheesan's vehicle modification promise". The Times of India. 11 April 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ↑ Samuel, Tinisha Rachel (5 May 2026). "Ganesh Kumar faces failure for first time in Pathanapuram constituency". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ↑ "Rift in NSS; Kalanjoor Madhu removed from Board of Directors, six people storm out of House of Representatives".
- ↑ "Kerala Assembly Election Results 2001". www.keralaassembly.org. Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
- ↑ "Winners of Kerala Assembly elections 2006 (MLAs) with victory margins". www.keralaassembly.org. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
- ↑ "Constituency Wise Result Status". Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
- ↑ "Constituency Wise Result Status". Archived from the original on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
- ↑ "ലീഡ് 14000 കടത്തി; പത്തനാപുരം കെ ബി ഗണേഷ് കുമാർ നിലനിർത്തി". Samayam.
- ↑ "Ganesh Kumar faces failure for first time in Pathanapuram constituency". The New Indian Express.
- ↑ "ബാലകൃഷ്ണ പിള്ള മുന്നോക്ക വികസന കോര്പ്പറേഷന് ചെയർമാനാകും...(Balakrishna Pillai will become the Chairman of Munnoka Development Corporation...)". Archived from the original on 20 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ↑ "Balakrishna Pillai's wife passes away". 3 January 2018. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ↑ "Kerala Congress (B) chairman R Balakrishna Pillai passes away". The New Indian Express. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ↑ "Members Profile". www.niyamasabha.nic.in. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
- ↑ "MarunadanMalayalee.com". www.marunadanmalayalee.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ↑ Prakash, Asha. "Mukesh leads, KB Ganesh Kumar wins - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ↑ "Ganesh Kumar added pages to Saritha S Nair's letter, says Fenny Balakrishnan". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ↑ "Kerala: MLA Ganesh Kumar thrashes youth in road rage incident". The Week. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- ↑ "Kerala MLA KB Ganesh Kumar tries to manhandle headmaster". The New Indian Express. 11 November 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
- ↑ "Filming of Mohanlal's Neru wraps up". Cinema Express. 5 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ↑ Features, C. E. (11 June 2024). "Gaganachari gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
- ↑ "Tradition continues: Ichakka leads birthday wishes for Mohanlal amid 'Drishyam 3' hype". Kerala Kaumudi. 21 May 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "New serial 'Kalyani' to premiere today; KB Ganesh Kumar set for his acting comeback". The Times of India. 8 November 2021. Archived from the original on 1 June 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ↑ "'Daya' and 'Typewriter' bag State TV awards". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 15 November 2008. Archived from the original on 7 July 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2012.