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Neeraj Madhav
Neeraj in 2015
Born	(1990-03-26) 26 March 1990 (age 34) Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Alma mater	SRM Institute of Science and Technology School of Drama and Fine Arts, Thrissur
Occupations	Actor screenwriter rapper choreographer dancer
Years active	2013–present
Spouse	Deepthi Janardhan ​(m. 2018)​
Children	1

Neeraj Madhav (born 26 March 1990), also known by his stage name NJ is an Indian actor, rapper and dancer who predominantly works in Malayalam films.

Early life

Neeraj was born on 26 March 1990, in Kozhikode, Kerala into a Malayali Brahmin family. He did his schooling from St. Joseph's Boys' Higher Secondary School, Calicut. Then graduated in Visual communications from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kanchipuram and later did post-graduation in Theatre from School of Drama and Fine Arts, Thrissur. His father Dr. K. Madhavan is a veterinarian, and his mother Latha, a teacher.

The young talent started off as a dancer with the first edition of reality television programme ‘Super Dancer’ on Amrita TV and made it to the final round. Neeraj is also a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, having learned it under Kalamandalam Saraswathy and her daughter, Aswathy. He is also trained in chenda and is a disciple of Kalanilayam Udayan Namboodiri.

Neeraj has a younger brother Navneeth Madhav, another dancer turned actor in the family. He has acted in films such as Shikkar, Kottarathil Kutty Bhootham,Nallavan and Manikyakkallu and TV series such as Kuttichathan.

Career

Neeraj made his entry to the Malayalam cinema industry through Raaj Prabavathy Menon's Buddy into which he was selected through an audition. He was later noticed by director Jeethu Joseph and was invited to be a part of his movies Memories and Drishyam, both turned out to be box office successes, with the latter becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever. Meanwhile, Neeraj also acted in Abrid Shine's 1983 and Sathyan Anthikad's Oru Indian Pranayakadha.

Anil Radhakrishnan Menon's Sapthamashree Thaskaraha, in which Neeraj plays one of the lead characters alongside Prithviraj, Anoop Kannan's Homely Meals and Apothecary (film) - a medical drama directed by Madhav Ramadasan are also other noted performances of the actor.

Neeraj also debuted as an official dance choreographer through Oru Vadakkan Selfie, scripted by Vineeth Sreenivasan, with the hit song "Enne Thallendammava". His other releases in 2015 also include Jamna Pyari, Kunjiramayanam, Madhura Naranga, KL.10 Pathu, Charlie and Adi Kapyare Kootamani.

The movie Oozham, which has Prithviraj in the lead, has Neeraj in a full-length role. Neeraj also portrayed a pivotal role in Tom Emmatty's Oru Mexican Aparatha.

Neeraj debuted as a screenplay writer through the movie Lavakusha in 2017 and also played one of the title characters in this along with Aju Varghese.

Neeraj plays his first lead role in the movie Paippin Chuvattile Pranayam. It was directed by debutant Domin D'Silva. In the movie, he portrays Govindankutty, a daily wage labourer.

In 2019, Neeraj starred as the main antagonist, Moosa Rehman in the Amazon Original web series titled The Family Man, helmed and produced by director duo Raj and DK. The series also stars Manoj Bajpayee, Priyamani and Kishore in major roles.

In July 2020, he released a rap song titled "Pani Paali". it depicts certain common events in the lives of common people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The song went viral in a very short period of time and was a huge hit among Malayalees and also around other parts of the globe. It also introduced rap music to a more mainstream audience.

Personal life

Neeraj is the son of Dr. K. Madhavan and Latha Madhavan. He married his long time girlfriend Deepthi who is also a native of Kozhikode, on April 2, 2018. The couple have a daughter born in 2021.

Filmography

• All films are in Malayalam language unless otherwise noted.

Films

Web series

Other works

As choreographer

Discography

Awards and nominations

Asianet Film Awards

• 2018 – Won – Best Star Pair – Paippin Chuvattile Pranayam

Asiavision Awards

• 2015 – Won – New Sensation in Acting (Male) for performance in various movies

North American Film Awards

• 2016 – Special mention by the jury for performance in various movies
• 2017 – Special mention by the jury for performance in Paippin Chuvattile Pranayam

References

1. "Neeraj Madhav celebrates first birthday as father, see pics".
2. "This is how Neeraj Madhav celebrated his birthday amid lockdown - Times of India". The Times of India.
3. ^ Sathyendran, Nita (24 April 2015). "Making the right moves". The Hindu. Thiruvananthapuram, India.
4. "Neeraj Madhav's wedding pictures are out". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
5. "The Taste of Success - Deccan Chronicle".
6. ^ "Neeraj is now officially a choreographer". The Times of India. Kochi, India. 1 March 2015.
7. "Holding a mirror to one's self". The Hindu. Thiruvananthapuram, India. 8 January 2015.
8. "Neeraj Madhav on a spree". Malayala Manorama. Thiruvananthapuram, India. 23 July 2015.
9. ^ "Jeethu cast Neeraj when they met at a college". The Times of India. Kochi, India. 11 February 2016.
10. S, Harikumar J. (3 July 2020). "Actor Neeraj Madhav's new rap song 'Panipaali' is turning a funky earworm". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
11. ManoramaOnline Reporter (23 February 2021). "നീരജ് മാധവിനും ദീപ്തിക്കും പെൺകുഞ്ഞ്". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
12. DNA Web Team (23 February 2021). "'The Family Man' actor Neeraj Madhav, wife Deepthi Janardhan welcome a baby girl". DNA. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
13. ^ "The next funny man". The New Indian Express. Kochi, India. 28 October 2014.
14. "Neeraj Madhav and Aparna Balamurali's Sundari Gardens to release on this OTT platform". Cinema Express.
15. "'Varshangalkku Shesham': Vineeth Sreenivasan brings together an ensemble cast for his next". The Hindu. 13 July 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
16. "'My character is crucial and tricky', says Neeraj Madhav". India Today. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
17. "Neeraj Madhav's rap series is whimsical and thought-provoking - Times of India". The Times of India.
18. TNM Staff (29 June 2020). "Watch: Actor Neeraj Madhav's 'Panipaali' rap is a fun song". www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
19. "Neeraj Madhav's new rap song is 'Akkarappacha' - Times of India". The Times of India.
20. "Wish, Hope and Fly reveal how I deal with my inner conflicts: Neeraj Madhav - Times of India". The Times of India.
21. "Watch: Netflix's new song 'Namma Stories' features Arivu, Neeraj Madhav and others". 8 July 2021.
22. "Asiavision Awards 2015". International Business Times. Thiruvananthapuram, India. 18 November 2015.

External links

• Neeraj Madhav on Instagram
• Neeraj Madhav on Facebook
• Neeraj Madhav at IMDb

• 1987 births
• Living people
• Male actors from Kozhikode
• Male actors in Malayalam cinema
• Indian male film actors
• 21st-century Indian male actors