Neeraj Madhav (born 26 March 1990), also known as NJ, is an Indian actor and rapper who predominantly works in Malayalam and Hindi films, apart from one Tamil film.
Early life Neeraj was born on 26 March 1990, in Kozhikode, Kerala into a Malayali family. He studied at St. Joseph's Boys' Higher Secondary School, Kozhikode. He graduated in Visual communications from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kanchipuram and later did his 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 studied 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, who is also a dancer turned actor. 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, which he was selected for through an audition. He was later noticed by director Jeethu Joseph and invited to be a part of the movies Memories and Drishyam, both of which turned out to be box office successes, with the latter becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever. Neeraj played his first lead role as Govindankutty, a daily wage labourer, in the movie Paippin Chuvattile Pranayam, directed by debutant Domin D'Silva. Neeraj also acted in Abrid Shine's 1983 and Sathyan Anthikad's Oru Indian Pranayakadha.
Other noted performances of his are in 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.
Neeraj made his debut as a dance choreographer with the film Oru Vadakkan Selfie, scripted by Vineeth Sreenivasan and directed by G. Prajith, 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 in which he also played one of the title characters along with Aju Varghese.
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 depicted various aspects of life experienced by 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 2 April 2018. The couple have a daughter born in 2021.
Filmography
All films are in Malayalam language unless otherwise noted.
Films Year Title Role Notes 2013 Buddy Govindh Memories Mechanic Drishyam Monichan Oru Indian Pranayakadha Charlie 2014 1983 Prahladan Apothecary Shenoy Sapthamashree Thaskaraha Narayanankutti Homely Meals Arun 2015 Mariyam Mukku Dennis Oru Vadakkan Selfie Thankaprasad/Thankamma Madhura Naranga Kumar KL.10 Pathu Aftab/Appu Just Married Riyaz Jamna Pyari Tony Kurishinkal Kunjiramayanam Kanjuttan Charlie Ansari Adi Kapyare Kootamani Remo 2016 Oozham Ajmal 2017 Oru Mexican Aparatha Subhash Lavakusha Lavan Also writer Paipin Chuvattile Pranayam Govutty/Govindankutty 2018 Rosapoo Ambros 2019 Allu Ramendran Neeraj Madhav Cameo 2020 Gauthamante Radham Gauthaman 2022 Sundari Gardens Victor Paul Sony Liv film Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu Sridharan Tamil film, also singer An Action Hero Sai Hindi film, cameo appearance 2023 Enkilum Chandrike Auto Driver Abhishek Cameo appearance in the Climax portion RDX Xavier 2024 Varshangalkku Shesham Fearless Alex Matthew 2026 Pluto Vignesh
Web series Year Title Role Language Notes 2019 The Family Man: Season 1 Moosa Rehman Hindi Amazon Prime Video 2021 Feels Like Ishq Rajeev Netflix 2024 Showtime Satya Krishnan Disney+Hotstar 2025 Love Under Construction Vinod Malayalam Disney+ Hotstar
Other works
As choreographer Year Album Song Music director2015Oru Vadakkan SelfieEnne ThallendammavaShaan RahmanAdi Kapyare KootamaniUllasa Gayike
Discography Film songs Year Title Song Composer Co-Artist(s) Notes 2022Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu"Porattam"A. R. RahmanAlso lyrics2023RDX"Scene Mone"Rzee, SelfAlso lyrics2026Pluto"Ponaal Pottum Poda"Self
Records Year Song Co-Artist(s) Label Notes 2020"Panipaali"ArcadoMAD.V Records"Akkarappacha"Young H2021"First Love"Siddharth Menon, Arcado "Namma Stories"Arivu, SIRI, Hanumankind, Kartik ShahNetflix MusicNetflix Originals "Panipaali-2"ArcadoMAD.V Records2022"Po""Arpo"Hrishi"Kattanchaya"2023"I Am Back"Rzee"Kali Maari"2024"Dracula""Chetharu""Ballaatha Jaathi"Rzee, Dabzee, Baby JeanUniversal Music 2025"Old School Lady"ArcadoSaregama "Garjanam"Ribin RichardMAD.V Records"Pottatte Padakkam"Arcado2026"Entha Paadu"Rzee
EPs & LPs Year Play Title Songs Co-Artist(s) Label Notes 2020Jungle Speaks, Vol 1"Padayappa & Supran"RzeeMAD.V RecordsDebut EP"Bobby & Sulaiman""Chithragupthan"Wish"Wish"Pina Colada Blues, Dan Pearson"Hope""Fly"
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
External links