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Rima Kallingal
Indian actress From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Rima Kallingal is an Indian actress and film producer who primarily works in Malayalam films.[1]
Early life and work
Born in Thrissur, Kerala, Kallingal began practising dancing when she was three years old.[2] A dancer by profession, she has been a part of a dance company called Nritarutya and has had performances on national and international stages.
She studied at Stanes Schools, Coonoor up to Fifth grade.[3] She completed her schooling at Chinmaya Vidyalayas, Thrissur, graduating in 2001. She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from the Christ University, Bengaluru.[4][5] She is also skilled in Taekwondo (Korean martial art), Chao (Manipuri martial art) and Kalari.[2]
She was a semi-finalist of the Asianet reality show Vodafone Thakadhimi. She moved to Bengaluru to pursue a modelling career and later participated in the Miss Kerala beauty pageant, in which she became the first runner-up, losing to Shree Thulasi in a tie-breaker.[6]
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Career
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Kallingal was spotted by director Lal Jose on a magazine cover, who cast her as a goat herder role in a Tamil film Mazhai Varappoguthu.[7] The project didn't materialise, but she was offered the lead female character of Varsha by director Shyamaprasad for Ritu, which eventually marked her acting debut.[6] She was 25 when she acted in the film.[4]
In 2012, Kallingal played a nurse and rape victim in 22 Female Kottayam opposite Fahadh Faasil,[8] which had a decent run at the box office.[9][10] A critic of News18 noted, "The film belongs to Rima who sinks into the skin of the character with a spectacular performance."[11][12] The film earned her Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam and Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress.[13][14][15] After 22 Female Kottayam, she said that she had made some mistakes in her career and stated "Yes, I have done a few films I never should have, but I am determined not to repeat those mistakes".[12]
In 2013, Kallingal turned television anchor with the Mazhavil Manorama show "Midukki".[16] Following which the Kerala Film Chamber imposed a ban on her which was later revoked.[17] That year, Kallingal played a young housewife in August Club.[18] Paresh C Palicha of Rediff.com noted, "Rima as Savithri, is someone who has learnt to stifle her feelings and finding other ways to give them an outlet."[19]
Her other notable films include the 2015 film Rani Padmini alongside Manju Warrier and the 2019 film Virus alongside an ensemble cast.[20][21] Both films emerged commercial successes.[22][23] In Rani Padmini, she played a tomboy.[24] Deepa Soman was appreciative of her "knockout performance".[25] In Virus, she played a nurse battle the deadly disease.[26] Sowmya Rajendran found her performance "expressive".[27]
In the 2021 film, Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam, Kallingal played an entertainment reporter opposite Jitin Puthenchery.[28] Baradwaj Rangan found her to be "terrific".[29] The film won her Best Actress at the Diorama International Film Festival.[30]
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Kallingal's roles from 22 Female Kottayam, August Club and Rani Padmini are considered among the strongest female character in Malayalam films.[31][32][33] Kallingal was named the Kochi Times Most Desirable Women in 2012.[34] In 2014, she set up her own dance institute, named Mamangam in Kochi. It was later was shut down in 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[35]
Personal life
Kallingal married director Aashiq Abu on 1 November 2013, in a simple court wedding in Kochi.[36] As part of the occasion, the couple donated Rs 1 million towards the welfare of poor cancer patients at the General Hospital, Ernakulam, and Rs 25,000 to meet a day's expense of the dietary kitchen at the hospital.[37][38]
Filmography
As actress
- All projects are in Malayalam language unless noted
As producer
Television
Web series
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Accolades
- 2012: Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress for Indian Rupee.[56]
- 2013: Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for 22 Female Kottayam.[57]
- 2013: Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for 22 Female Kottayam.[58]
- 2013: SIIMA Critics Award for Best Actress – Malayalam for 22 Female Kottayam.[59]
- 2013: Vanitha Film Award for Best Actress for 22 Female Kottayam.[60]
- 2016: Vanitha Film Award for Special Performance – Actress for Rani Padmini.[61]
- 2021: Vanitha Film Award for Best Social Responsible Actress for Virus.[62]
- 2025: Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress for Theatre - The Myth of Reality.[63]
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References
External links
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