Rajeev Govinda Pillai is an Indian actor from Malayalam cinema.[1] His acting debut was a lead role in the film City of God directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery (2011) where he played one of the protagonists. He has also worked as a dentist, a model, and as a cricketer for Kerala Strikers cricket team in the Celebrity Cricket League.
Rajeev Govinda Pillai | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nannoor, Kerala, India |
| Occupations | Film actor, model, cricketer, dentist |
| Years active | 2009–present |
Being the first Kerala born and bred model to walk the major fashion weeks in India, he is considered as the pioneer in modelling in Kerala. His success in the industry motivated many Kerala youths to take up the career. Being the Captain of Kerala Strikers Cricket team in CCL ,he top scored for the team 7 years of all the 9 years Kerala played.
Early life
editBorn in a small village called ‘Nannoor’ in the south of Kerala, he relished the upbringing of a proper village boy. His father worked in Muscat while his mother is a retired high school Sanskrit teacher. After qualifying as a dentist, he quit his job at a hospital in Kerala to pursue an acting career.[2]
Career
editIn 2011, Pillai made his acting debut as the lead role in the film City of God, which was directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery.
Before making the debut in movies he had a successful run in all the major fashion weeks in India and did model for a few international brands as well. After a stint in the theatre in Mumbai he decided to try his luck in movies .[3][4][5]
Pillai has played for Kerala Strikers team in the 2012 to 2024 seasons and Mumbai Heroes team in the 2025 season of the Celebrity Cricket League.[6]
He represented Kerala in Celebrity Badminton League as well.
Pillai said in a 2016 interview there are no shortcuts to 'get fit quick', and encourages enthusiasts to take up mixed martial arts (MMA). His fitness regimen involves jiujitsu, capoeira, karate, boxing and CrossFit. His workout also involves a healthy and controlled diet. In the gym, he focuses on 45 minutes to 2 hours of weight training to keep his body fat content below 10 per cent.[7]
Awards
edit- 2016 – Asiavision Awards – special Jury Award, Oru Muthassi Gadha[8]
Filmography
edit| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | City of God | Sony Vadayattil | Malayalam | Debuted in a lead role |
| Bombay March 12 | Mushruf | Malayalam | Guest Appearance | |
| 2012 | Kaashh | Sarath | Malayalam | |
| Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal | Gogo | Hindi | ||
| Karma Yodha | ACP K. Tony | Malayalam | ||
| 2013 | My Fan Ramu | Abhiram | Malayalam | |
| Oru Yathrayil | Malayalam | |||
| Thalaivaa | Raju | Tamil | ||
| D Company | Sanjay | Malayalam | Segment "Gangs of Vadakkumnathan" | |
| Second Innings | Manu Madhav | Malayalam | ||
| 2014 | Yellow Pen | Akash Menon | Malayalam | Short film |
| 2015 | Guru Dakshina | Dev | Hindi | |
| Aambala | Pasupathy's son | Tamil | ||
| Bhaskar The Rascal | Commissioner | Malayalam | Cameo Appearance | |
| 2016 | Aviyal | Garudan | Tamil | Segment "Eli" |
| The Legend | Malayalam | |||
| Oru Muthassi Gadha | Milind | Malayalam | Double Lead | |
| 2017 | Nindru Kolvaan/Vyaghara | Tamil, Kannada | ||
| 7 Naatkal | Siddharth Raghunath | Tamil | ||
| 2018 | Diwanjimoola Grand Prix | Gunman PP Shibu | Malayalam | |
| Angarajyathe Jimmanmar | Jimman | Malayalam | ||
| Who | Vinod Bharve | English | ||
| 2019 | Muttayukallanum Mammaliyum | Malayalam | ||
| Athidi | Malayalam | Short film | ||
| Pathinettam Padi | Monty's brother | Malayalam | Cameo Appearance | |
| 2020 | Shakeela | Arjun | Hindi | |
| 2021 | Bruno | Rajeev | Hindi | Short film |
| Satyameva Jayate 2 | Ballu | Hindi | ||
| Sumesh and Ramesh | Kannan | Malayalam | ||
| 2022 | Coffee with Kadhal | “Shining Star” Rohan | Tamil | |
| 2023 | Amigos | NIA officer | Telugu | |
| Lily | Rajeev Pillai | Telegu | ||
| Salmon 3D | Firoz | Tamil | ||
| Hidimbha | Boya | Telugu | ||
| 2024 | Malaikottai Vaaliban | General | Malayalam | |
| Weapon | Solomon | Tamil | ||
| Petta Rap | Guna | Tamil | ||
| Gowri | Pattelar | Kannada | ||
| Prathimukham | Krishnakumar | Malayalam | ||
| 2025 | Daaku Maharaaj | Goon | Telugu | |
| Dexter | Aadi | Tamil |
References
edit- ↑ "'തലൈവ'രുടെ കാവലന്". Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- ↑ Francis, Christina. "Sreesanth is not my cousin: Rajeev Pillai". The Times of India.
- ↑ "Mollywood reluctant to cast me: Rajeev Pillai". The Times of India. 6 September 2011. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012.
- ↑ "CSB Xclusive! Rajeev Govinda Pillai".
- ↑ "'Clinical' catwalk". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 28 October 2010.
- ↑ "Team – Amma Kerala Strikers". Kerala Strikers. Archived from the original on 14 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
- ↑ "Eat, sleep, party, repeat". 22 December 2016.
- ↑ "Asiavision Movie Awards 2016 Declared!". 14 November 2016.