Keezhoote Balakrishna Pillai Ganesh Kumar (born 25 May 1966) is an Indian

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

television host A television presenter (or television host, some become a "television personality") is a person who introduces, hosts television programs, often serving as a mediator for the program and the audience. Nowadays, it is common for people who garne ...

, and

politician A politician is a person active in party politics, or a person holding or seeking an elected office in government. Politicians propose, support, reject and create laws that govern the land and by an extension of its people. Broadly speaking ...

. Ganesh Kumar is a proposed cabinet minister for the last 2.5 years in the ongoing 2nd LDF govt in Kerala and he is also the current MLA of KC(B) representing the Pathanapuram constituency in Kollam,

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

. He made his debut as an actor in the film ''

Irakal ''Irakal'' () is a 1985 Indian Malayalam-language psychological thriller film written and directed by K. G. George and produced by Sukumaran. The film stars K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Thilakan, Sukumaran, Ashokan, and Radha. The film won two Kerala St ...

'' (1985) directed by K. G. George. He has starred in over 100 Malayalam films, performing a variety of roles. 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 ever since. He was Transport Minister from May 2001 to March 2003. He is the son of R. Balakrishna Pillai, former Minister of Kerala.

Political career

In May 2001, Ganesh Kumar was elected to the Kerala Assembly from Pathanapuram on a

Kerala Congress (B) Kerala Congress (B) is a registered-unrecognized political party in Kerala, formed by R. Balakrishna Pillai, a former minister of the government of Kerala. At present, the party has one MLA in the state Legislative Assembly, namely K. B. Gane ...

ticket. He defeated his opponent, K. Prekash Babu, by a margin of 9,931 votes. Ganesh Kumar's father and former Minister, R. Balakrishna Pillai had also been elected from the neighbouring constituency of Kottarakara, which he had represented for several decades. Ganesh Kumar became Transport Minister in the A. K. Antony cabinet in May 2001 and went on to give a good account of himself. Though a political novice at that time, he turned around the ailing KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) 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. 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. He went on to become a Minister for Forests, Sports and Cinema in the

Oommen Chandy Oommen Chandy, , (born 31 October 1943) is an Indian politician and statesman who served as the Chief Minister of Kerala for two terms, from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2016. He was also Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislati ...

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 P. V. Jagadish Kumar (born 12 June 1955) known mononymously as Jagadish, is an Indian actor, screenwriter, television presenter and former politician. He has starred in over 375 Malayalam films and 2 Hindi films. He is best known for his com ...

Indian National Congress The Indian National Congress (INC), colloquially the Congress Party but often simply the Congress, is a political party in India with widespread roots. Founded in 1885, it was the first modern nationalist movement to emerge in the British E ...

by a margin of 24,562 votes.

Personal life

Ganesh was born in a Hindu

Nair The Nair , also known as Nayar, are a group of Indian Hindu castes, described by anthropologist Kathleen Gough as "not a unitary group but a named category of castes". The Nair include several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom histo ...

family as the son of former minister R. Balakrishna Pillai and Valsala Kumari in

Thiruvananthapuram Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of 957,730 as of 2011. The encompassing urban agglomeration populati ...

on 25 May 1966. He was a alumnus of

Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram, also known as H.H. The Maharaja's College for Arts, is one of the oldest undergraduate and postgraduate, coeducational college located in Trivandrum, Kerala. It was established in the year 1948. The c ...

. He was married to Dr. Yamini Thankachy on 20 May 1994. Yamini works as a senior research fellow at the Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies and was pursuing her

Ph.D A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Ph.D., or DPhil; Latin: or ') is the most common degree at the highest academic level awarded following a course of study. PhDs are awarded for programs across the whole breadth of academic fields. Because it is ...

in Adolescent health. The couple have two sons, Adithyan and Devaraman. The couple later divorced due to irreconcilable differences. Ganesh married Bindhu Menon on 24 January 2014 who works as marketing head in Asianet.

Film career

Ganesh Kumar made his debut in the 1985 Malayalam film ''

'' 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

Fenny 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, saying that Ganesh Kumar added four pages to Saritha S. Nair's letter, bringing the total number of pages to 25. In 2018, he allegedly assaulted a youth in a road rage incident, with the youth ending up in a hospital for injury treatment. Later that year he allegedly manhandled a school headmaster in a school event, facing charges.

Filmography

*'' Monster'' (2022) * Aaraattu (2022) as Chandrasekaran * Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (2021) as Verkkottu Panicker *

Drishyam 2 ''Drishyam 2: The Resumption'', or simply ''Drishyam 2'' is a 2021 Indian Malayalam-language crime thriller film written and directed by Jeethu Joseph and produced by Antony Perumbavoor through the company Aashirvad Cinemas.A sequel to thei ...

(2021) as CI Philip Mathew * Saajan Bakery Since 1962 (2021) as Cheriyan * Mera Naam Shaji (2019) as Dominic George *

Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakeel ''Kodathi Samaksham Balan Vakkeel'' () is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language legal drama-mystery comedy film, written and directed by B. Unnikrishnan, and produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures. The film stars Dileep, Mamta Mohandas, Priya Anand, ...

(2019) as Vincent Thomas * Mandharam (2018) as Rajesh's Father * Hallelooya'' (2016) as Father Francis * Villali Veeran (2014) as Pavithran * Mizhi Thurakku (2014) as shuhaib SRP * Avatharam (2014) * Ladies and Gentleman (2013) * Up & Down: Mukalil Oralundu (2013) as Siyad Ahemmed *

Spirit Spirit or spirits may refer to: Liquor and other volatile liquids * Spirits, a.k.a. liquor, distilled alcoholic drinks * Spirit or tincture, an extract of plant or animal material dissolved in ethanol * Volatile (especially flammable) liquids, ...

(2012) * My Boss (2012) *

Sandwich A sandwich is a food typically consisting of vegetables, sliced cheese or meat, placed on or between slices of bread, or more generally any dish wherein bread serves as a container or wrapper for another food type. The sandwich began as a po ...

(2011) * Priyappetta Nattukare (2011) as G K * Nakharam (2011) * Four Friends (2010) * Kaaryasthan (2010) *

Alexander the Great Alexander III of Macedon ( grc, Ἀλέξανδρος, Alexandros; 20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He succeeded his father Philip II to ...

(2010) * Janakan (2010) *

Ivar Vivahitharayal ''Ivar Vivahitharayal ?'' () is a 2009 Malayalam language comedy drama film starring Jayasurya, Bhama, and Samvrutha Sunil in leading roles. Navya Nair appears in a cameo role in the film as Jayasurya's dream wife. The film is the directorial deb ...

(2009) * Red Chillies (2009) *Swa Le (2009) as Vishnu *Vellathooval (2009) * Rahasya Police (2009) as Parampathu Raju *Kadha, Samvidhanam Kunchakko (2009) as SP Manoj Pothan * Keralotsavam (2009) *

Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded ''Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded'' is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by Amal Neerad. It is the sequel of 1987 film ''Irupatham Noottandu'' and Mohanlal reprise his role as Sagar Alias Jacky. The film was written by S ...

(2009) * Veruthe Oru Bharya (2008) as Doctor * Ali Bhai(2007) as Therandi Ramu * Hallo (2007) as Sudheesh Nambiar *

Photographer A photographer (the Greek φῶς (''phos''), meaning "light", and γραφή (''graphê''), meaning "drawing, writing", together meaning "drawing with light") is a person who makes photographs. Duties and types of photographers As in other ...

(2006) * Vismayathumbathu (2004) as Medical college Professor * Kilichundan Mampazham (2003) as Ummar * Pilots (2000) as Vinayachandran *

Dada Sahib ''Dada Sahib'' is a 2000 Malayalam-language action-drama film co-written and directed by Vinayan and starring Mammootty in dual role. He played the roles of Dada Sahib, an old freedom fighter of the Indian independence movement and Abubacker, ...

(2000) as Das * Susanna(2000) as Johny * Olympian Antony Adam (1999) as ASP Nasser IPS *Aayiram Meni (1999) as Lalichan (Actress Urvasi) *

Crime File ''Crime File'' is a 1999 Indian Malayalam-language action crime thriller film by K. Madhu starring Suresh Gopi, Siddique and Sangita Madhavan Nair. The film is loosely based on the 1992 murder of Sister Abhaya in Kerala. Plot Sister Amala, a ...

(1999) as Raju Namasivaya *

F.I.R F.I.R. () is a Taiwanese pop rock band formed in 2004. The band consists of Lydia (lead vocals), Ian Chen (keyboards), and Real Huang (guitar, vocals). Producer Ian Chen formed his own band then recruited the other two members to form F.I.R. The ...

(1999) as Roy Alex * Ustaad (1999) as Sethu *

The Truth The Truth may refer to: Film * ''The Truth'' (1920 film) starring Madge Kennedy * ''The Truth'' (1960 film) or ''La Vérité'', a French film by Henri-Georges Clouzot starring Brigitte Bardot * ''The Truth'' (1988 film), a Hong Kong trial crim ...

(1998) as Sit Team Member *

Varnapakittu ''Varnapakittu'' () is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by I. V. Sasi and written by Babu Janardhanan from a story by Jokuttan. The film features Mohanlal and Meena in lead roles, with Dileep, Divya Unni, Madhu, Jagadish, ...

(1997) as Tonichen *

Aaram Thamburan ''Aaraam Thampuran'' () is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by Ranjith and produced by Revathy Kalamandhir. It stars Mohanlal in the title role with Narendra Prasad, Manju Warrier, Sai Kumar, ...

(1997) as Ashok Kumar *

Guru Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverential ...

(1997) *Kalyanappittannu (1997) *

Asuravamsam ''Asuravamsam'' (English: ''The Demon Lineage'') is a 1997 Malayalam-language action drama film written by Ranjith and directed by Shaji Kailas, with cinematography by V. Manikandan. The film stars Manoj K. Jayan, Siddique, Biju Menon, Narendra ...

(1997) as Dr Mohan *Aayiram Naavulla Ananthan (1996) as Raju *Mahatma The great (1996) *Samoohyapadom (1996) * The King (1995) as Prasad *Agrajan (1995) *Paavam I.A.Iwachan (1994) as Kozhinjampara Lolan *

Vishnu Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" withi ...

(1994) as Chandramohan *

Rudraksham ''Rudraksham'' (Malayalam: രുദ്രാക്ഷം) is a 1994 action Malayalam film starring Suresh Gopi, Annie and Devan. Written by Ranjith and directed by Shaji Kailas. This film was criticized for extreme violence. Plot Due to his ...

(1994) as Surendra Reddy * Commisioner (1994) as Prasad *Nandini Oppol (1994) (Actress Sunitha) *Pakshe (1994) *Gamanam(1994) as Bhasi * Ekalavyan (1993) as Unni Joseph Mulaveedan *Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans (1993) as Prasannan *

Manichithrathazhu ''Manichitrathazhu'' () is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language epic psychological horror film directed by Fazil, written by Madhu Muttam, and produced by Swargachitra Appachan. The film stars Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi and Shobana with Nedumudi Venu ...

(1993) as Dasappan Kutty * Customs Diary (1993) as Jamal *Janam (1993) as Mahesh *

Mafia "Mafia" is an informal term that is used to describe criminal organizations that bear a strong similarity to the original “Mafia”, the Sicilian Mafia and Italian Mafia. The central activity of such an organization would be the arbitration of d ...

(1993) as Murukan * Ammayane Sathyam (1993) as Cherian *Mahanagaram (1992) as Raju *Neelakurukkan (1992) as Nassar * Kizhakkan Pathrose (1992) *Ootty Pattanam (1992) as Rama Varma * Kasargod Khader Bhai (1992) *Kaazhchakkppuram (1992) as Vijayan *Manyanmaar (1992) *Ardram (1992) as Abdu * Nayam Vyakthamakkunnu (1991) as Journalist * Kilukkam (1991) as Justice Pillai's son *Apoorvam Chilar (1991) as Benny *Kuttapathram (1991) as Peter *Njan Gandharvan (1991) as Pradeep *Kaakka Thollayiram (1991) as (Actress

Urvasi Urvashi ( sa, उर्वशी, Urvaśī}) is the most prominent apsara (celestial nymph) in Hindu mythology, considered to be the most beautiful of all the apsaras, and an expert dancer. She is mentioned in both ''Vedic'' and ''Puranic'' scr ...

) * Abhimanyu (1991) *Parallel College (1991) as Vikraman * Ponnaranjanam (1990) as Gilbert *

Kottayam Kunjachan ''Kottayam Kunjachan'' is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by T. S. Suresh Babu and written by Dennis Joseph, loosely based on a novel by Muttathu Varkey. It stars Mammootty in the title role as Kunjachan, with Ra ...

(1990) as Mathan *Maala Yogam (1990) as Georgekutty *Veena Meettiya Vilangukal (1990) *

Aye Auto ''Aye Auto'' () is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Venu Nagavalli and produced by Maniyanpilla Raju. The film stars Mohanlal and Rekha in the lead roles. The songs were composed by Raveendran, while ...

(1990) as Suresh * Gajakesariyogam (1990) as Vasu (Actress Sunitha) *Randam Varavu (1990) as Tomy * Eenam Thettatha Kattaru (1989) as Rajesh * Nair Saab (1989) as Cadet Ganeshan *

Jagratha ''Jagratha: CBI Diary - Part 2'' (transl. Warning) is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language investigative thriller film directed by K. Madhu, starring Mammootty, Mukesh and Jagathy Sreekumar. It is the second movie in the CBI investigative thril ...

(1989) as Kumar * Adharvam (1989) as Vishnu (Actress Parvathy) * Vandanam (1989) as Raghu *Devadas (1989) as Rajashekharan Thampi *Puthiya Karukkal (1989) as Suresh * Manasa Maine Varu (1988) as Raju *Mukthi (1988) as Vinod *Sangham (1988) as Anil *Mrithyunjayam (1988) as Robin *Dhinarathrangal (1988) *Janmandharam (1988) as Murali *

Chithram ''Chithram'' () is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language screwball comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan. The film was produced by P. K. R. Pillai under his production house Shirdi Sai Creations, and stars Mohanlal, Ranjini, Nedumudi V ...

(1988) as Lissie's Brother * Oru Muthassi Katha (1988) as Unnikrishnan *

Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal ''Kakkothikkavile Appooppan Thaadikal'' (English: Woolly pods of Kakkothikkavu) is a 1988 Malayalam-language drama film produced jointly by Ousepachan Vaalakuzhy and Fazil, directed by Kamal and written by Fazil. The film is heroine-oriented ...

(1988) *Oru Vivada Vishayam (1987) as Unni *

Sarvakalashala ''Sarvakalasala'' () is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Venu Nagavally from a story by Cheriyan Kalpakavadi. The film stars Mohanlal, Jagathy Sreekumar, Sukumaran, Adoor Bhasi, and Seema. The musi ...

(1987) as Panchara *

Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar ''Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar'' () is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language political thriller film directed by Thampi Kannanthanam, written by Dennis Joseph, and produced by Joy Thomas under the company Jubilee Productions. It features Mohanlal, Sur ...

(1987) as Raju *Kadhakku Pinnil (1987) as Mohanan *Cheppu (1987) as Ranjith *

Yuvajanotsavam ''Yuvajanotsavam'' is a 1986 Indian Malayalam romantic comedy film written, directed, and produced by Shrikumaran Thampi. It stars Mohanlal, Urvashi, Menaka and Ashokan. The music and background by Raveendran The film marks the return of S ...

(1986) as Rajeevan *Sukhamo Devi (1986) as Chandran, Devi's brother *

(1985) as Baby

Television

;TV serials as actor *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 Amrita TV is an Indian Malayalam Language general Entertainment television channel owned by Mata Amritanandamayi Math. It was launched in 2005. Theme song The theme song, "Lokasamastha," was composed by Rahulraj for Mata Amritanandamayi's 50t ...

) *Mandaram(

Kairali TV Kairali TV is an Indian Malayalam-language general entertainment television channel owned by Kairali TV Network (Malayalam Communications Limited). It is headquartered at Thiruvananthapuram. It was launched on 17 August 2000. The channel is ...

) *Bhamini Tholkkarilla ( Asianet) *Jagratha (

) *Kalyani (

Mazhavil Manorama Mazhavil Manorama is an Indian Free-to-air Malayalam general entertainment television channel operated and owned by Malayala Manorama Television (MMTV), the publisher of the widely circulated ''Malayalam Manorama'' daily, and the Malayalam wom ...

) ;TV shows as Host *Nammal Thammil ( Asianet)

Awards

; Kerala State Television Awards *2007 : Kerala State Television Award for Best Actor in a Lead role - Male - ''Madhavam''

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ganesh Kumar, K. B. Living people Malayali politicians Kerala politicians Male actors from Thiruvananthapuram Politicians from Thiruvananthapuram 1966 births Indian actor-politicians Male actors in Malayalam cinema Indian male film actors Kerala Congress (B) politicians Kerala MLAs 2006–2011 Kerala MLAs 2001–2006 Kerala MLAs 2011–2016 Kerala MLAs 2016–2021 20th-century Indian male actors 21st-century Indian male actors Indian male television actors Male actors in Hindi television Male actors in Malayalam television