# Neeraj Madhav (നീരജ് മാധവ്)
**Neeraj Madhav** (നീരജ് മാധവ്; born 1990) is an Indian actor, dancer, rapper, and screenwriter who works mainly in [Malayalam cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/malayalam-cinema), known for the role of Moosa in the Hindi web series *[The Family Man](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-family-man-indian-tv-series)* (2019) and for his Malayalam hip-hop releases under the stage name NJ.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6697626/) • [2](https://www.theweek.in/content/dam/week/pdf/TW-SEP-06-2020.pdf)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1990; Filmibeat lists Kannur as birthplace, while IMDb lists Thiruvannur, Kozhikode, Kerala[3](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/neeraj-madhav/biography.html) • [1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6697626/) |
| Training | Postgraduate degree in theater acting from the School of Drama, Thrissur, after studies at SRM University, Chennai[3](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/neeraj-madhav/biography.html) |
| Film debut | *Buddy* (2013), directed by Raaj Prabavathy Menon[3](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/neeraj-madhav/biography.html) |
| Breakthrough role | Moosa in the Hindi web series *The Family Man* (2019)[4](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/interviews/2020/02/05/neeraj-madhav-malayalam-movies-bollywood-family-man-acting.html) |
| Rapper persona | Records as NJ; *Panipaali* (2020) passed 18 million (1.8 crore) YouTube views by 26 August 2020[2](https://www.theweek.in/content/dam/week/pdf/TW-SEP-06-2020.pdf) |
| Cross-industry work | Tamil debut *Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu* (2022) with a rap song for A. R. Rahman; Hindi film *An Action Hero* (2022) with Ayushmann Khurrana[5](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/neeraj-madhav-i-dont-like-labels-id-prefer-to-be-called-an-artiste/articleshow/90515883.cms) |
| Recent lead role | Xavier in *RDX: Robert Dony Xavier* (2023), a box-office success[6](https://www.samakalikamalayalam.com/amp/story/movie-news/neeraj-madhav-recalls-people-doubting-him-during-the-making-of-rdx) |
## Early life and education
Neeraj Madhav was born in 1990, the elder son of Dr. K. Madhavan, a veterinarian, and Latha, a teacher.[3](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/neeraj-madhav/biography.html) • [7](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/features/actor-neeraj-madhav-opens-up-about-nepotism-and-his-struggles-to-be-a-hero-097273.html) He completed his schooling at St. Joseph's Boys' Higher Secondary School in Kozhikode, then joined SRM University in Chennai, and earned a postgraduate degree in theater acting from the School of Drama in Thrissur.[3](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/neeraj-madhav/biography.html)
**Dance came first.** He took part in dance programs from his school days and won many prizes; his first major recognition came as a finalist on a television dance reality show.[8](https://www.manoramaonline.com/style/yuva/2019/02/15/actor-to-director-neeraj-madhav-story.amp.html) In college he directed a short film, *Human Curiosity*, which won best film on campus, and he initially aimed at a directing career rather than acting.[8](https://www.manoramaonline.com/style/yuva/2019/02/15/actor-to-director-neeraj-madhav-story.amp.html)
## Acting career
His first film was *Buddy* (2013), directed by Raaj Prabavathy Menon.[3](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/neeraj-madhav/biography.html) The same year he appeared in *Drishyam*, playing a major character opposite Mohanlal in the hit film, and in *[Memories](https://www.edgepedia.org/memories-2013-film)* and *Oru Indian Pranayakatha*.[3](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/neeraj-madhav/biography.html) A run of supporting and comic roles followed through the mid-2010s, including *1983*, *[Sapthamashree Thaskaraha](https://www.edgepedia.org/sapthamashree-thaskaraha)*, *Oru Vadakkan Selfie*, *Kunjiramayanam*, *[Charlie](https://www.edgepedia.org/charlie-2015-malayalam-film)*, *Adi Kapyare Kootamani*, and *Lavakusha*.[3](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/neeraj-madhav/biography.html) • [9](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/neeraj-madhav/filmography.html)
**The Family Man.** In 2019 he played Moosa in the Hindi web series *The Family Man*, created by Raj and DK. He has said the role brought him pan-Indian and international recognition, and that he could not have found a comparable character in Malayalam cinema; he spent six months, later extended to a year, on the project.[4](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/interviews/2020/02/05/neeraj-madhav-malayalam-movies-bollywood-family-man-acting.html) The role led to his first lead parts in Malayalam, including *Gauthamante Radham* (2020).[4](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/interviews/2020/02/05/neeraj-madhav-malayalam-movies-bollywood-family-man-acting.html)
**Cross-industry debuts.** In 2022 he debuted in Tamil with [Gautham Vasudev Menon](https://www.edgepedia.org/gautham-vasudev-menon)'s *Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu*, playing Sridharan opposite [Silambarasan](https://www.edgepedia.org/silambarasan), and in Hindi with *An Action Hero* opposite [Ayushmann Khurrana](https://www.edgepedia.org/ayushmann-khurrana).[5](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/neeraj-madhav-i-dont-like-labels-id-prefer-to-be-called-an-artiste/articleshow/90515883.cms) Menon cast him after seeing him in *The Family Man*.[5](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/neeraj-madhav-i-dont-like-labels-id-prefer-to-be-called-an-artiste/articleshow/90515883.cms)
**RDX and later work.** In *RDX: Robert Dony Xavier* (2023) he played Xavier, one of three martial-arts-trained brothers, alongside [Shane Nigam](https://www.edgepedia.org/shane-nigam) and Antony Varghese; the film became a major box-office success.[6](https://www.samakalikamalayalam.com/amp/story/movie-news/neeraj-madhav-recalls-people-doubting-him-during-the-making-of-rdx) He has said that before the film's release nobody expected him to carry an action role.[6](https://www.samakalikamalayalam.com/amp/story/movie-news/neeraj-madhav-recalls-people-doubting-him-during-the-making-of-rdx) In 2024 he appeared in [Vineeth Sreenivasan](https://www.edgepedia.org/vineeth-sreenivasan)'s *Varshangalkku Shesham* and the JioHotstar series *Love Under Construction*.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6697626/) • [10](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/malayalam/news/2026/Jul/03/neeraj-madhavs-pluto-gets-a-release-date) His next lead is the science-fiction comedy *[Pluto](https://www.edgepedia.org/pluto-2026-film)*, directed by Adithyan Chandrashekar, in which Althaf Salim plays an alien; the film was scheduled for theatrical release on 30 July 2026.[10](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/malayalam/news/2026/Jul/03/neeraj-madhavs-pluto-gets-a-release-date)
He has also worked behind the camera. He choreographed the "Enne Thallendaammaava" song sequence in *Oru Vadakkan Selfie* (2015), a job the cinematographer [Jomon T. John](https://www.edgepedia.org/jomon-t-john) asked him to take on.[11](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/interviews/my-brother-navaneeth-is-always-criticise-my-performance-022715.html) He has written screenplays, including one for the directorial debut of his brother Navneeth Madhav, and has spoken of moving into direction himself.[4](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/interviews/2020/02/05/neeraj-madhav-malayalam-movies-bollywood-family-man-acting.html) • [8](https://www.manoramaonline.com/style/yuva/2019/02/15/actor-to-director-neeraj-madhav-story.amp.html)
## Music as NJ
Neeraj records and performs Malayalam hip-hop under the stage name NJ. His first rap work was the three-track collection *Jungle Speaks*, and the single "Pani Paali" made the label stick; he has said "Pani Paali" was not actually his first rap.[12](https://www.manoramaonline.com/music/interviews/2022/09/23/interview-with-neeraj-madhav-on-tamil-debut-with-a-r-rahman.html) Written and sung during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown and produced by Arcado, *Panipaali* became an overnight sensation, with its comic-book-style video passing 18 million (1.8 crore) YouTube views by 26 August 2020.[2](https://www.theweek.in/content/dam/week/pdf/TW-SEP-06-2020.pdf) He has described the song as comedic storytelling about disrupted sleep schedules, with a fantasy element built around the yakshi of Malayali folklore.[13](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/neeraj-madhav-hopes-pani-paali-will-amp-up-indie-music-scene/articleshow/76855353.cms)
**Rahman collaboration.** After performing a short rap sequence at the audio launch of *Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu*, he received a call from [A. R. Rahman](https://www.edgepedia.org/a-r-rahman)'s office; Rahman wanted to rap in Malayalam. Neeraj wrote and recorded the interval rap for the film in Rahman's studio, his first Tamil song.[12](https://www.manoramaonline.com/music/interviews/2022/09/23/interview-with-neeraj-madhav-on-tamil-debut-with-a-r-rahman.html)
His later releases include the drill track "Po" (2022), the nostalgic rap "Old School Lady" (2025), which opens by sampling the 1978 song "Madaprave Vaa" from *Madanolsavam*, and "Ballaatha Jaathi" (2024), made with Kerala rappers Dabzee and [Baby Jean](https://www.edgepedia.org/baby-jean).[5](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/neeraj-madhav-i-dont-like-labels-id-prefer-to-be-called-an-artiste/articleshow/90515883.cms) • [14](https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/neeraj-madhav-rap-song-old-school-lady-stimtl) • [15](https://rollingstoneindia.com/neeraj-madhav-nj-ballaatha-jaathi-new-song-video-dabzee-baby-jean/) He has said he prefers to be called an artiste rather than be labeled by one discipline, and that he deliberately works with independent musicians rather than established film music directors.[5](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/neeraj-madhav-i-dont-like-labels-id-prefer-to-be-called-an-artiste/articleshow/90515883.cms) • [13](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/neeraj-madhav-hopes-pani-paali-will-amp-up-indie-music-scene/articleshow/76855353.cms)
## Personal life
He is married to Deepthi Janardhanan, who cleared the IIM admission process on her first attempt after a 14-year gap; the couple have a daughter.[16](https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2026/08/29/neeraj-madhav-wife-iim-preparation-and-future.html) His brother is the actor and filmmaker Navneeth Madhav.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6697626/) In interviews he has described entering the industry through auditions without a film background, and has spoken about the difficulties of changing his line of roles after his early comic parts.[7](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/features/actor-neeraj-madhav-opens-up-about-nepotism-and-his-struggles-to-be-a-hero-097273.html)
## References
1. [Neeraj Madhav, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6697626/)
2. [Upbeat: Panipaali feature, The Week (6 September 2020)](https://www.theweek.in/content/dam/week/pdf/TW-SEP-06-2020.pdf)
3. [നീരജ് മാധവ് ജീവചരിത്രം, Filmibeat Malayalam](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/neeraj-madhav/biography.html)
4. [Roles with grey shades fascinate me: Neeraj Madhav, Onmanorama](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/interviews/2020/02/05/neeraj-madhav-malayalam-movies-bollywood-family-man-acting.html)
5. [Neeraj Madhav: I don't like labels, I'd prefer to be called an artiste, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/neeraj-madhav-i-dont-like-labels-id-prefer-to-be-called-an-artiste/articleshow/90515883.cms)
6. ['ഇവന് എന്ത് ഫൈറ്റ് ചെയ്യാനാണ്?': നീരജ് മാധവ് on RDX, Samakalika Malayalam](https://www.samakalikamalayalam.com/amp/story/movie-news/neeraj-madhav-recalls-people-doubting-him-during-the-making-of-rdx)
7. [Actor Neeraj Madhav opens up about nepotism and his struggles, Filmibeat Malayalam](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/features/actor-neeraj-madhav-opens-up-about-nepotism-and-his-struggles-to-be-a-hero-097273.html)
8. [സംവിധാനത്തിലും ഒരു കൈ നോക്കാൻ നീരജ്, Manorama Online](https://www.manoramaonline.com/style/yuva/2019/02/15/actor-to-director-neeraj-madhav-story.amp.html)
9. [നീരജ് മാധവ് അഭിനയിച്ച സിനിമകൾ, Filmibeat Malayalam filmography](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/celebs/neeraj-madhav/filmography.html)
10. [Neeraj Madhav's Pluto gets a release date, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/malayalam/news/2026/Jul/03/neeraj-madhavs-pluto-gets-a-release-date)
11. [My brother Navaneeth is always criticise my performance, Filmibeat Malayalam](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/interviews/my-brother-navaneeth-is-always-criticise-my-performance-022715.html)
12. ['മലയാളത്തിൽ റാപ്പ് ചെയ്യണമെന്ന് ആഗ്രഹിച്ച റഹ്മാൻ സർ', Manorama Online interview](https://www.manoramaonline.com/music/interviews/2022/09/23/interview-with-neeraj-madhav-on-tamil-debut-with-a-r-rahman.html)
13. [Neeraj Madhav hopes Pani Paali will amp up indie music scene, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/neeraj-madhav-hopes-pani-paali-will-amp-up-indie-music-scene/articleshow/76855353.cms)
14. [Neeraj Madhav's 'Old School Lady' song released, Asianet News](https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment-news/neeraj-madhav-rap-song-old-school-lady-stimtl)
15. [Neeraj Madhav aka NJ talks new song 'Ballaatha Jaathi', Rolling Stone India](https://rollingstoneindia.com/neeraj-madhav-nj-ballaatha-jaathi-new-song-video-dabzee-baby-jean/)
16. [ആദ്യ ശ്രമത്തിൽ ദീപ്തി ഐഐഎം പാസ്സ് ആയി, Manorama Online](https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2026/08/29/neeraj-madhav-wife-iim-preparation-and-future.html)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Malayalam film actors › Surnames L to R*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 18, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license