Shiju
Shiju is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Shiju began their career in 1999 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 27 years. With 30 credits to their name, Shiju remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 20+ years, Shiju's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.
- Born
- Age
- 51
Biography
Shiju (also known as Shiju AR or Devi Shiju) is a Malayalam actor who works across Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil cinema, primarily known for character and supporting roles spanning over 50 films since 1996. He made his breakthrough as the villain in the Tamil film Mahaprabhu (1996), and gained his Telugu stage name "Devi Shiju" after his lead role in the Telugu fantasy film Devi (1999) directed by Kodi Ramakrishna alongside Prema and Vanitha. He played the ghost-centric drama Trinetram (2002) as Vivek, a Zamindar in Kalinga (2024), and Vasudev (Neera's father) in the Venky Kudumula-directed Telugu heist comedy Robinhood (2025) produced by Mythri Movie Makers. Born on 4 August 1974 in Kerala, he has sustained a career across multiple South Indian film industries for nearly three decades.
Career Milestones
Film debut in Telugu cinema
View film →Continued collaboration with director Kodi Ramakrishna
View film →Appeared in Telugu fantasy horror thriller
View film →Played Vasudev in major Tollywood heist film produced by Mythri Movie Makers
View film →Iconic Roles
Devi
Lead role in this Kodi Ramakrishna Telugu supernatural hit; the film's success earned Shiju the permanent Telugu stage name 'Devi Shiju'.
Robinhood
Neera's father in this Telugu rom-action film starring Nithiin and Sreeleela, directed by Venky Kudumula.
Trinetram
Lead role in this Telugu drama/fantasy directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, co-starring Raasi and Sindhu Menon.
Shiju by the Numbers
If you watched every Shiju film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 11 hours. Most-paired with Kodi Ramakrishna — 2 films together.
Filmography
See all 30 credits →Collaboration Network
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
See all →Shiju has worked most frequently with Kodi Ramakrishna (2 films).
Legacy & Influence
Shiju is a Malayalam film actor recognized for his supporting roles, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His career trajectory began with notable appearances in films like 'Devi' (1999), a drama where his performance contributed to the film's critical reception. He further solidified his presence with a role in the investigative thriller 'Trinetram' (2002), which remains one of his higher-rated works according to audience scores. These films placed him within a cohort of character actors who brought depth to Malayalam cinema's narrative-driven projects during that era. After a significant gap, his return in 'Kalinga' (2024) demonstrates a continued, albeit evolving, connection to the industry. His contribution lies in his reliable portrayals in a specific period of Malayalam cinema, adding to the ensemble casts of memorable films without seeking the limelight. His filmography, though selective, shows a preference for scripts with strong dramatic or thriller elements. There is no widely documented information on major awards, pioneering techniques, or mentorship roles that would signify a broader industry influence. Thus, his legacy is best understood as that of a dependable performer within the supporting cast of several notable films from a particular timeframe.

