Tovino Thomas is proof that persistence pays off. An engineer who left a corporate job to chase acting, he began with small and negative roles, became a romantic lead, then Malayalam cinema’s own superhero, and finally a ₹100-crore star. This guide to the best Tovino Thomas movies traces that journey, highlights his most important performances and looks at what is coming next — including Lokah Chapter 2.
Quick Profile
- Born: 21 January 1989, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur
- Debut: Prabhuvinte Makkal (2012)
- Breakthrough: Ennu Ninte Moideen (2015) and Mayaanadhi (2017)
- Biggest hits: 2018 (2023), ARM (2024)
- Signature role: Minnal Murali
- Next: lead in Lokah Chapter 2
Table of Contents
From Engineer to Actor
Born in Irinjalakuda, Tovino studied engineering and worked at a technology company before quitting to pursue films. He started with small parts, making his debut in Sajeevan Anthikad’s Prabhuvinte Makkal (2012) and playing the villain in Martin Prakkat’s ABCD (2013). His turn as Appu, the loyal friend in R.S. Vimal’s Ennu Ninte Moideen (2015), earned him wide attention and a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
His real breakthrough as a lead came with Aashiq Abu’s Mayaanadhi (2017), a bittersweet romantic thriller opposite Aishwarya Lekshmi that developed a cult following. A run of hits followed, including Theevandi (2018), Uyare (2019), Virus (2019) and Lucifer (2019).
20 Best Tovino Thomas Movies
| # | Film | Year | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ABCD | 2013 | Early villain role |
| 2 | Ennu Ninte Moideen | 2015 | Breakthrough supporting role |
| 3 | Guppy | 2016 | Cult favourite |
| 4 | Godha | 2017 | Wrestling comedy |
| 5 | Mayaanadhi | 2017 | Romantic thriller classic |
| 6 | Theevandi | 2018 | Satirical comedy about smoking |
| 7 | Maari 2 | 2018 | Tamil villain debut |
| 8 | Lucifer | 2019 | Jathin Ramdas |
| 9 | Virus | 2019 | Ensemble Nipah drama |
| 10 | Uyare | 2019 | Supporting role in acid-attack survivor drama |
| 11 | Forensic | 2020 | Crime thriller |
| 12 | Kala | 2021 | Raw, violent survival thriller |
| 13 | Minnal Murali | 2021 | Superhero landmark |
| 14 | Thallumaala | 2022 | Stylish action comedy |
| 15 | Vaashi | 2022 | Courtroom romance |
| 16 | 2018 | 2023 | Kerala floods epic |
| 17 | Anweshippin Kandethum | 2024 | Police procedural |
| 18 | ARM | 2024 | Triple role, first solo ₹100-crore hit |
| 19 | Narivetta | 2025 | Political drama |
| 20 | Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra | 2025 | Scene-stealing Chathan cameo |
Malayalam’s Own Superhero
Basil Joseph’s Minnal Murali (2021), released directly on Netflix, turned Tovino into a pan-Indian name. He played Jaison, a tailor in a 1990s Kerala village who gains powers after being struck by lightning. The film’s charm lay in its local flavour — a superhero who wears a homemade mask and worries about his village’s gossip — and its villain, played memorably by Guru Somasundaram. It remains one of the most-watched Indian films on Netflix.
In 2024, Jithin Laal’s ARM gave him three roles across three generations in a 3D fantasy adventure, becoming his first solo ₹100-crore film. And in 2025, his brief appearance as Chathan in Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra set up his lead role in the sequel. Read our Lokah Chapter 2 update.
2018: The Film That Defined a State
Jude Anthany Joseph’s 2018 (2023), about the Kerala floods, featured Tovino as Anoop, a former soldier who becomes a rescuer. The ensemble film became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films and was India’s official entry for the Academy Awards. It remains a deeply emotional watch for anyone who lived through the floods. See our list of Malayalam movies based on true stories.
The Underrated Tovino Thomas Movies
Guppy (2016)
John Paul George’s gentle drama, in which Tovino plays a railway engineer who clashes with a young boy, was a modest release but found a devoted audience on television and online.
Kala (2021)
Rohith V.S.’s raw, brutal thriller takes place almost entirely in one house as a man faces a violent intruder. Tovino performed many of his own intense stunts, and the film’s commentary on caste and privilege surprised viewers.
Anweshippin Kandethum (2024)
A slow, old-school police procedural directed by Darwin Kuriakose, in which Tovino plays a sub-inspector working two cases years apart. It found a big audience on Netflix.
These films show why many critics feel Tovino has been underrated as a serious actor, even as he has become a box office star.
Awards and Recognition
- Filmfare Award South – Best Supporting Actor (Ennu Ninte Moideen).
- Best Actor at the Asian Academy Creative Awards (2023) for 2018.
- SIIMA Award for Best Actor (Malayalam).
- Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor for ARM.
What’s Next for Tovino Thomas
After Identity, L2: Empuraan and Narivetta in 2025, Tovino appeared in the 2026 period drama Pallichattambi and the comedy Athiradi with Basil Joseph. He is reported to have the romantic action comedy Avaran lined up, and he will headline Lokah Chapter 2, which reports say is targeting Onam 2027. Track all dates in our upcoming Malayalam movies list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best Tovino Thomas movie?
Minnal Murali, Mayaanadhi, 2018 and ARM are among the most popular Tovino Thomas movies.
Is Tovino Thomas in Lokah?
Yes. He appeared as Chathan in Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra and will lead Lokah Chapter 2.
Where can I watch Minnal Murali?
Minnal Murali streams on Netflix. See our Netflix guide.
What was Tovino Thomas’ first movie?
His debut film was Prabhuvinte Makkal (2012).
Which Tovino Thomas movie earned ₹100 crore?
ARM (2024), in which he played three roles across three generations, became his first solo film to cross ₹100 crore worldwide.
Has Tovino Thomas acted in Tamil films?
Yes. He played the villain in Maari 2 (2018), opposite Dhanush.
Where can I find more Malayalam cinema coverage?
Cinemas Diary publishes daily news, reviews, OTT guides, celebrity profiles and trailer breakdowns. Browse our Malayalam Cinema, Movie Reviews and OTT Releases sections for more articles like this one.
Conclusion
Tovino Thomas movies show an actor who has grown with every role — from villain to romantic hero to superhero. With Lokah Chapter 2 ahead, his best may still be to come. Read more on Wikipedia.
