'Nivin Pauly at 15:' Actor gears up for a grand return this Christmas with 'Sarvam Maya'

When Alphonse Puthren’s ‘Premam’ took Kerala and Tamil Nadu by storm in 2015, audiences and critics alike hailed Nivin Pauly as a bona fide superstar. The decade that followed, however, has been a journey of highs and lows. While Nivin delivered memorable performances along the way, this period saw few blockbusters that could match the sheer impact and cultural resonance of his breakthrough hit.

Born and bred in a middle class family in Aluva, Nivin Pauly’s greatest asset has always been his impeccable timing, particularly in comedy. With an effortless charm and ease that few of his contemporaries, including `nepo-kids' possess, he fills the screen with a natural spontaneity. Over the years, this has evolved into a set of signature quirks and expressions, fondly dubbed `Nivin Pauly-isms' by his fans.

This Christmas season, Malayalam cinema fans are abuzz with anticipation for Nivin Pauly’s return to the spotlight. He has already sparked excitement with the promise of a compelling comeback through P R Arun’s web series ‘Pharma’ and Akhil Sathyan’s ‘Sarvam Maya.’

A decade and a half of Nivin Pauly in Malayalam cinema

Fifteen years ago, a group of fresh faces made their debut in Malayalam cinema through Vineeth Sreenivasan’s directorial debut, ‘Malarvadi Arts Club.’ Among them, one young actor, sporting a beard, quietly stood out as Prakashan, a seemingly ordinary character that subtly hinted at the star potential simmering beneath. Two years later, sporting a clean-shaven look and radiating youthful charm, he strolled through the corridors of Payyannur College in a love-struck sequence and Malayalam audiences embraced him warmly.

Three years on, ‘Premam’ catapulted him to stardom across Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The film, a perfect blend of romance, heartbreak, action, and comedy, showcased him in all his glory. Nivin Pauly, the Aluva native, was unanimously being hailed by critics and audiences alike as the next superstar in Malayalam cinema.

However, the following decade has not been entirely a smooth sail for Nivin. The year 2016 proved relatively promising. In ‘Action Hero Biju,’ directed by Abrid Shine, he portrayed SI Biju, a character that stood out from the typical police roles audiences had seen thus far. Within the realistic, police-station-centered narrative, Nivin delivered a compelling performance, though he struggled to bring perfection while delivering long and weighty dialogues.

He further elevated his career with ‘Jacobinte Swargarajyam’ and impressed even in a cameo role in ‘Anandam,’ showcasing his versatile talent. The subsequent releases the next year, ‘Sakhavu’ and ‘Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela,’ however, were modest successes, while his Tamil film Richie failed to make a significant mark at the box office.

Released in 2018, ‘Hey Jude’ did not make a significant impact at the box office. Yet, the performance of Nivin Pauly as Jude Rodrigues, a character with Asperger’s Syndrome, was widely praised for its depth. He later found commercial success with the big-budget film ‘Kayamkulam Kochunni,’ directed by Rosshan Andrrews, which lived up to expectations.

The following year brought ‘Mikhael,’ ‘Love Action Drama,’ and ‘Moothon.’ In ‘Love Action Drama,’ helmed by Dhyan Sreenivasan, Nivin showcased his signature comic timing once again, while in ‘Moothon,’ he delivered a powerful performance as Akbar, a character navigating same-sex love. Despite these strong performances, a major blockbuster continued to elude him.

In 2021, Nivin Pauly impressed audiences with the experimental movie ‘Kanakam Kamini Kalaham,’ which was released in OTT. The film, however, still failed to spark widespread discussion. The year 2022, however, proved disastrous for his career, with ‘Mahaveeryar,’ ‘Padavettu’ and ‘Saturday Night’ bombing back to back at the box office.

The following year too offered little reprieve. After a long-awaited hiatus, ‘Thuramukham’ and ‘Ramachandra Boss & Co’ were released, both turning into commercial disappointments. In 2024, Nivin signaled a much-anticipated resurgence through Vineeth Sreenivasan’s ‘Varshangalkku’ Shesham,’ a movie featuring Dhyan Sreenivasan and Pranav Mohanlal in lead roles.

Nidhin Molly rocks
In ‘Varshangalkku Shesham,’ Nivin Pauly’s guest appearance perfectly mirrored his real-life persona. Portraying the character of Nidhin Molly, he infused the role with a natural authenticity that struck a chord with audiences. His cameo was met with an enthusiastic reception in theaters, with fans cheering for the actor. The character cleverly reflected Nivin’s own journey, humorously highlighting his script choices, health routines and moments of career lull. These playful nods to his life added a layer of meta-humour that delighted fans and critics alike.

A star who has carved his own path
Unlike many contemporary Malayalam actors, most of whom hail from film families, Nivin Pauly comes from a middle-class background with no prior links to the movie industry. He made his debut in 2010 with Malarvadi Arts Club and attained stardom in just two years later with ‘Thattathin Marayathu.’ Five years on, with ‘Premam,’ he won the hearts of audiences across both Malayalam and Tamil cinema.

The hallmark of Nivin Pauly’s acting lies in his effortless expressions and natural ease, qualities that set him apart. Unlike Mammootty, who undergoes intense preparation to inhabit his characters or Prithviraj and Tovino, who invest heavily in physical training, Nivin has never relied on rigorous conditioning. His reluctance to constantly reinvent himself may be seen as a limitation, but it is also what makes him a director’s actor. He thrives under a strong script and a capable filmmaker who can harness his innate talent. In fact, Nivin can effortlessly navigate mass appeal, class, romance and action with equal finesse.

Vineeth Sreenivasan, who introduced Nivin to Malayalam cinema, has arguably utilised the abilities of the actor to the fullest. Films like ‘Thattathin Marayathu,’ ‘Jacobinte Swargarajyam,’ ‘Varshangalkku Sesham,’ and ‘Oru Vadakkan Selfie,’ all scripted by Vineeth, showcase Nivin’s versatility and potential at its peak.

Nivin Pauly has consistently shone in the films of his friends from the Aluva–Angamaly circle, delivering memorable performances in Alphonse Puthren and Jude Antony Joseph’s ‘Neram,’ ‘Premam,’ and ‘Om Shanthi Oshaana.’ His roles in Shyamaprasad’s ‘Ivide’ and ‘Hey Jude’ too earned him critical acclaim. While ‘Mahaveeryar’ floundered at the box office, Abrid Shine could successfully showcase Nivin Pauly’s talent through realistic portrayals in ‘Action Hero Biju’ and ‘1983.’

Under the direction of Akhil Sathyan, who charmed audiences with his debut ‘Pachuvum Athbhuthavilakkum,’ Nivin Pauly can be regarded as in safe hands and will be able to showcase his charm and screen presence. If the film leads the Christmas release lineup, it promises to be a perfect New Year treat from Nivil Pauly for the audiences. Indeed, a large number of fans are on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting Nivin’s much-awaited return.