Malayalam actor quit software job at Cognizant in Chennai to pursue acting. Now, he charges Rs 4 crore per film

Many actors in the film industry have left stable corporate careers to chase their dreams, but taking that leap is never easy. It requires courage, patience, and a strong belief in oneself. Tovino Thomas is one such example. He walked away from a secure software job to follow his passion for acting, and today, he stands as one of the most recognised faces in Malayalam cinema.

Tovino Thomas' journey from engineering to highest-paid actor

Born on January 21, 1989, in Irinjalakuda in Kerala’s Thrissur district, Tovino grew up in a close-knit family. He completed his schooling in his hometown before pursuing engineering. He later graduated with a degree in electronics and communication engineering from Tamil Nadu College of Engineering in Coimbatore. Like many engineering graduates, he stepped into the corporate world and began working as a software engineer at Cognizant Technologies in Chennai.

However, a regular 9-to-5 job was not what he truly wanted. In 2012, Tovino made a bold decision to quit his job and move towards the uncertain world of cinema. Around the same time, he also worked as an assistant director in Roopesh Peethambaran’s directorial debut Theevram, gaining valuable experience behind the camera.




Speaking about that phase in an interview with The Hindu, Tovino shared that he was fully aware of how unpredictable the film industry can be. He admitted that he did not carry big expectations when he left his job. However, he trusted his instincts and felt a strong inner push to give acting a serious try, believing that he would eventually find his place.

The journey, however, was far from easy. Tovino started with small roles, including his debut appearance in Prabhuvinte Makal. For a few years, his films did not make a strong impact at the box office. But things began to change in 2015 with Ennu Ninte Moideen. The film not only brought him critical acclaim but also earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. It turned the table for the actor.

From there, Tovino steadily built a strong filmography. He went on to star in popular films like Mayanadi, Theevandi, Forensic, and Ente Ummante Peru. One of his biggest milestones came with Minnal Murali, directed by Basil Joseph. The film made him Kerala’s first homegrown superhero and gained massive attention on OTT, further boosting his popularity across audiences.

Now, they are working on the sequel of Minnal Murani, which will be released in theatres first, as confirmed by the actor.

Apart from acting, Tovino has also stepped into film production. He has backed projects like Kala and Vazhakku, showing his interest in storytelling beyond just performing on screen. Over the years, his journey from struggling actor to leading star has been marked by consistent effort and smart choices.

More about Tovino Thomas' work front

Today, Tovino Thomas is among the highest-paid actors in the Malayalam film industry. According to GQ India report, he charges around Rs 4 crore per film. On the work front, he has exciting projects lined up, including Pallichattambi, which is expected to release soon, and a bigger role in Lokah Chapter 2 alongside Dulquer Salmaan, following his brief appearance in the first part.

During a recent interaction with Telugu media while promoting his upcoming film Pallichattambi, Tovino Thomas confirmed that he will not be part of Jr NTR’s film due to date issues. He said it has been difficult for him to manage his schedule, so he had to step away from the project.


Besides work, Tovino enjoys travelling and taking vacations with his family, which brings him a lot of joy. In a recent conversation with The Cinema Express, the actor shared that he prefers not to have a packed, hectic schedule and believes that stepping away from work helps him relax and gain a fresh perspective. Even though he is part of the film industry, he likes to observe it from a distance and understand it more objectively.