Rajeev Govinda Pillai is an Indian actor from Malayalam cinema. 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.
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
Born in a small village called ‘Nannoor’ in a Malayali Nair family from 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.
Career In 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 .
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.
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.
Awards 2016 – Asiavision Awards – special Jury Award, Oru Muthassi Gadha
Filmography Year Film Role Language Notes2011 City of God Sony Vadayattil Malayalam Debuted in a lead role Bombay March 12 MushrufMalayalam Guest Appearance2012 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 2014Yellow PenAkash MenonMalayalamShort film2015 Guru Dakshina Dev Hindi AambalaPasupathy's son Tamil Bhaskar The Rascal CommissionerMalayalam Cameo Appearance2016 Aviyal Garudan Tamil Segment "Eli" The Legend MalayalamOru Muthassi Gadha Milind Malayalam Double Lead2017Nindru Kolvaan/Vyaghara Tamil, Kannada 7 Naatkal Siddharth Raghunath Tamil 2018Diwanjimoola Grand Prix Gunman PP Shibu Malayalam Angarajyathe Jimmanmar Jimman Malayalam Who Vinod Bharve English 2019Muttayukallanum Mammaliyum MalayalamAthidiMalayalamShort filmPathinettam Padi Monty's brother Malayalam Cameo Appearance2020Shakeela Arjun Hindi 2021Bruno Rajeev Hindi Short filmSatyameva Jayate 2 Ballu Hindi Sumesh and Ramesh Kannan Malayalam 2022Coffee with Kadhal “Shining Star” Rohan Tamil 2023 Amigos NIA officer Telugu Lily Rajeev Pillai Telugu 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 2025Daaku Maharaaj Goon Telugu Dexter Aadi Tamil 2026Peddi Ratan Sisodia Telugu
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