Vinay Forrt


Vinay Kumar, professionally credited as Vinay Forrt is an Indian film and stage actor. He is from Fort Kochi, Kerala and has a postgraduate in acting from Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. He made his cinematic debut in the Malayalam film Ritu.

Early life and education

Vinay Forrt was born in Fort Kochi, Kerala, to M. V. Mani and Sujatha. His changed his birth name as a tribute to his birthplace. He has a sister, Suma, and a brother, Syam. He was educated at St John De Britto Anglo-Indian High School, Fort Kochi and Aquinas College, Edacochin.
Before entering the movie industry, he worked at a restaurant, a coffee shop, medical shop and a call center. During his first year while studying for his degree, he joined Lokadharmi Theater and became active in their plays. Later he dropped out to join the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune, India, and became a postgraduate in acting. Forrt received the National Scholarship from the Government of India for the Best Senior Theatre Actor. He is a contemporary dancer as well.

Acting career

While studying at the Film and Television Institute he was chosen by Shyamaprasad to play a role in his film Ritu. Vinay Fort debuted in Shyamaprasad's Ritu in a small role as a gay, but one which earned him recognition
He costarred in The Blueberry Hunt, an English film by Anup Kurian with Naseeruddin Shah in the lead. He played a notable role in Navagatharkku Swagatham. The film was a failure at box office. Vinay went on to play minor roles in several movies. He was noted for his role as Nanmayil Suran in Shutter. The film was a critical and commercial success and was screened at various International film festivals. Vinay played a supporting role in the 2014 thriller 7th Day.
Vinay posted Vimal Sir in Alphonse Putharen's Premam. This role with a comic shade earned him wide recognition and some of his dialogues from the movie eventually developed a cult following. He played a lead role in the 2015 comedy thriller Urumbukal Urangarilla which received positive and mixed reviews. Forrt went on to be in movies including Kohinoor Kammatti Paadam, Kismath and God Say. He played a lead role in Hello Namasthe, which was a failure at box office. He had a major supporting role in Georgettans Pooram and Role Models, both released in 2017.
Forrt had the lead role in Thamasha. He portrayed Srinivasan, a Malayalam professor unable to find a suitable woman to marry. Some critics reviewed it as one of his best performances. Vinay played a lead role in the satire Paapam Cheyyathavar Kalleriyatte. The movie generally received positive reviews from critics. His comic role as Kripesh/Akash Menon in Mohan Kumar Fans was well received. Forrt's performance as David Chistudas, a friend-turned-foe of the protagonist in Mahesh Narayanan's Malik received wide appreciation from critics. Some consider this one of his best performances.

Personal life

He married his longtime girlfriend Soumya Ravi, a research student, on 6 December 2014 at Guruvayoor. The couple have a son.

Filmography

Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009RituJamal
2010ApoorvaragamNarayanan
2010AnwarAbu
2010KadakshamAbhay
2010The Blueberry Hunt
2011Veettilekulla VazhiTerrorist Leader in Ajmeer
2011KanakompathuJose
2011Veeraputhran
2011KarmayogiKooman
2011Navagatharkku SwagathamAravindan
2012Prabhuvinte MakkalSiddharthan
2012TheevramRamachandran
2012Da ThadiyaShathanu
2012ShutterNanmayil Suran
20147th DayShan Shahar
2014How Old Are YouJayachandran
2014ManglishAmbu
2014Masala RepublicDixon
2014SecondsFeroze
2015Njan Ninnodu Koodeyundu
2015PremamVimal 'Java' Sir
2015Karma CartelSidth
2015RasputinSusheelan
2015Urumbukal UrangarillaManoj
2015KohinoorFreddy
2016Hello NamastheRJ Madhav
2016Kammatti PaadamVenu
2016KismathAjay C Menon
2017God SayHarichandran
2017Avarude RaavukalVijay
2017Georgettans PooramVava
2017Role ModelsSubahaan
2017Kadam KadhaGiri Pai
2017History of JoyKrishna
2017ClintArtist Mohan
2017Oru Visheshapetta Biriyani KissaSuperior Angel
2018LadooVinu
2018Janaki
2018NonsenseSanthosh
2018Kammara SambhavamChandrabanu
2019ThamaashaSreenivasan
2019UndaS. I. Balan
2019Vaarthakal IthuvareMathews
2019Oronnonnara Pranayakadha
2020Paapam Cheyyathavar KalleriyatteRoy
2021ChuruliShajeevan
2021Mohan Kumar FansKripesh / Aghosh Menon
2021MalikDavid Kristhudas
2021Kanakam Kaamini KalahamJobby
2023KollaC.I. Farooq
2023Ramachandra Boss & CoSailesh P Damodar
2023Vaathil
2023Somante KrithavuSoman
2023FamilySony
2024AattamVinay
2024Perumani
2024Big Ben
2024Chithini
2025Odum Kuthira Chaadum KuthiraSiby
2025The Pet DetectiveRajath Menon
2026
Unreleased

Television

YearTitleRoleChannelNotes
2011Vivel Big BreakHostSurya TVSpecial Guest
2016Comedy Super Nights 2HostFlowersReplaced by Rachana
2020Uppum MulakumRoyFlowers
2023Uppum Mulakum season 2SomanFlowers
2023Gouri ShankaramVinayAsianet

Awards

YearAward
2014Asianet Comedy Awards - Best Pair along with Soubin Shahir
20151st IIFA Utsavam for performance in a comic role - Malayalam
201618th Asianet film awards for Best Comedian
20165th South Indian International Movie Award for Best Comedian -Malayalam