K. B. Ganesh Kumar

K. B. Ganesh Kumar Biography

Ganesh Kumar is a well known politician and popular film actor of Kerala. His father Balakrishna Pillai is a well known political leader of Kerala and former minister. At present he is the MLA of Pathanapuram with a hat-trick win with a big margin of 20,402 votes against CPM rival, K Rajagopal. He became a Minister for Forests, Sports and Cinema in the Oommen Chandy cabinet in May 2011. But after a lot of drama and media attention, he had to resign from his minister post as a consequence of case filed by his wife Yamini Thankachan on 07-04-2013 telling about domestic violence. It was the most sensational news of April 2013 in Kerala which revealed allegations of extramarital affair, adultery and domestic violence. He was pressurized to leave his minister cap by other members and he had to finally give in. Now the case has moved to a divorce.

Ganesh’s political career began in 2001 when he defeated K Prakash Babu, by a margin of 9,931 votes in Pathanapuram constituency. It was a new history to Kerala politics – the first time which a film actor won an election from Kerala. It was a double victory since his father too, won from neighbouring constituency of Kottarakara. Thus it was another historic moment in the politics of Kerala when both father and son were elected in the same year. Ganesh Kumar became Transport Minister in the A K Antony cabinet in May 2001 and as an enthusiastic young leader his works were well approved. In the 2006 Assembly elections, Ganesh Kumar was once again elected from Pathanapuram.

As an actor, Ganesh was successful during late 80’s and 90’s and has appeared in numerous movies in supporting roles. Even while he was in cabinet, he used to appear in movies in guest appearance once in a while. His most recent appearances were ‘Spirit’ and ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’, both are Mohanlal films. He is one of the popular actors of Malayalam during 90’s and has appeared in significant roles in numerous hit movies of Mohanlal and Mammootty. He was equally successful as a supporting actor and villain. Mudra, Kilukkam, Vismayathumbathu, Vandanam and Veruthe Oru Bharya are only a few from about 100 movies he acted.

He is a popular television actor too. He won State Award for Best Television Actor (2007) for his role in the serial "Madhavam" (Surya television).

Published: N/A

Updated: September 23, 2013