After quitting his 9-5 job at Cognizant, Malayalam actor recalls being 'insulted' early in his acting career. Now, he is one of the highest-paid stars
Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas is gearing up for his upcoming film Athiradi, where he reunites with Basil Joseph after the success of Minnal Murali. The action-comedy, directed by Arun Anirudhan, is set against a vibrant college festival backdrop and is scheduled to release on May 14, 2026. While the film has already created buzz among fans, it is Tovino’s journey from struggle to success that is once again grabbing attention.
Tovino Thomas recalls his early journey in the industry
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Tovino looked back at his early days in the film industry and spoke about the challenges he faced. He shared that when he started out with small roles, he often experienced 'insult' on film sets. However, instead of letting those moments discourage him, he chose to see them differently.
The actor explained that, in hindsight, those difficult experiences played a huge role in shaping who he is today. He said that the struggles and even the insults he faced gave him a story to tell, adding that a smooth journey would have made things less interesting.
According to Tovino, "We were insulted on many sets, and people didn't treat us very well. But when I look at it now, I think it's a good thing that happened, all the insults I got. Because now I have a story to tell, or else my story would have become bland. When you start small and face challenges before becoming successful, that’s what makes the story interesting and keeps your fire burning. If everything is convenient, it kills creativity and imagination. We still do get insulted sometimes, but that’s fine, that’s how it is. Now my story is interesting."
More about Tovino Thomas' journey
Tovino’s journey into cinema was not a conventional one. Before stepping into films, he worked as a software engineer at Cognizant in Chennai. In 2012, he decided to quit his stable 9-to-5 job to follow his passion for acting, fully aware of the risks involved. He also gained experience behind the camera by working as an assistant director, which helped him understand filmmaking better.
His early years in the industry were marked by small roles, including his debut appearance in Prabhuvinte Makal. For a while, success did not come easily. However, things began to change with Ennu Ninte Moideen, which brought him recognition and earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
From there, Tovino steadily built his career with films like Mayanadi and Theevandi. A major turning point came with Minnal Murali, where he played a superhero, a role that not only made him widely popular but also helped him reach audiences beyond regional cinema.
Apart from acting, Tovino has also explored production, backing films like Kala and Vazhakku. Now, with Athiradi, he is once again teaming up with familiar collaborators, with Vineeth Sreenivasan also joining the cast. The film also marks Basil Joseph’s debut as a producer, alongside Dr Ananthu S, with Tovino and Sameer Thahir as co-producers.
Today, Tovino Thomas stands as one of the most successful and highest-paid actors in Malayalam cinema. According to the GQ India report, the actor takes home between Rs 1 crore to Rs 4 crore per movie. Stay tuned!
Tovino Thomas recalls his early journey in the industry
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Tovino looked back at his early days in the film industry and spoke about the challenges he faced. He shared that when he started out with small roles, he often experienced 'insult' on film sets. However, instead of letting those moments discourage him, he chose to see them differently.
The actor explained that, in hindsight, those difficult experiences played a huge role in shaping who he is today. He said that the struggles and even the insults he faced gave him a story to tell, adding that a smooth journey would have made things less interesting.
According to Tovino, "We were insulted on many sets, and people didn't treat us very well. But when I look at it now, I think it's a good thing that happened, all the insults I got. Because now I have a story to tell, or else my story would have become bland. When you start small and face challenges before becoming successful, that’s what makes the story interesting and keeps your fire burning. If everything is convenient, it kills creativity and imagination. We still do get insulted sometimes, but that’s fine, that’s how it is. Now my story is interesting."
More about Tovino Thomas' journey
Tovino’s journey into cinema was not a conventional one. Before stepping into films, he worked as a software engineer at Cognizant in Chennai. In 2012, he decided to quit his stable 9-to-5 job to follow his passion for acting, fully aware of the risks involved. He also gained experience behind the camera by working as an assistant director, which helped him understand filmmaking better.
His early years in the industry were marked by small roles, including his debut appearance in Prabhuvinte Makal. For a while, success did not come easily. However, things began to change with Ennu Ninte Moideen, which brought him recognition and earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
From there, Tovino steadily built his career with films like Mayanadi and Theevandi. A major turning point came with Minnal Murali, where he played a superhero, a role that not only made him widely popular but also helped him reach audiences beyond regional cinema.
Apart from acting, Tovino has also explored production, backing films like Kala and Vazhakku. Now, with Athiradi, he is once again teaming up with familiar collaborators, with Vineeth Sreenivasan also joining the cast. The film also marks Basil Joseph’s debut as a producer, alongside Dr Ananthu S, with Tovino and Sameer Thahir as co-producers.
Today, Tovino Thomas stands as one of the most successful and highest-paid actors in Malayalam cinema. According to the GQ India report, the actor takes home between Rs 1 crore to Rs 4 crore per movie. Stay tuned!
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