Featured BiographyImage source: StarsUnfolded
Quick Info
Date of birth8 January 1952
Age74 Years (as of 2026)
BirthplaceThrissur, Kerala, India
ProfessionPolitician, Actor
NationalityIndian
Marital statusWidower
SpouseSuma (deceased)
FamilyDaughter - Lakshmi, Father - Sreenivasan, Mother - Lalitha, Brother - Sureshbabu, Sisters - Shobha and Sheela, Father-in-law - Ramu Kariat (deceased)
Devan Biography
Devan Sreenivasan is an Indian actor and politician from Thrissur, Kerala, known for villain and character roles across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada,和
Early life and backgroundDevan Sreenivasan was born on 8 January 1952 in Thrissur, Kerala. He grew up in the city where he completed his schooling at Government Model School, Thrissur, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Thomas College, Thrissur. He later completed a Master of Business Administration. His parents were Sreenivasan, who served as a public prosecutor, and Lalitha, a doctor. He has a brother, Sureshbabu, and two sisters, Shobha and Sheela.
During his college years Devan was active in student politics as a member of the Kerala Students Union. His early ambitions included joining the armed forces; he attempted to gain entry to the National Defence Academy but was not selected. After leaving Kerala, he moved to Chennai to seek employment and pursued further studies, eventually completing his MBA.
Career
Devan began his career in the film industry initially as a producer. He produced the Malayalam film Vellam, based on a novel by N.N. Pisharody. Financial difficulties during production led him to take acting work to help complete the project. That move launched a long screen career: his acting debut is recorded in 1983 with the Malayalam film Ashatapathi, and Vellam was released in 1985.
Across South Indian cinema Devan became best known for playing antagonistic roles, particularly in Malayalam films, while in Telugu cinema he became noted for character parts. His film credits span multiple languages: Malayalam (debut Naadam, 1983), Hindi (New Delhi, 1988, in which he played Shankar), Telugu (Dharma Kshetram, 1992, as Pandu), Tamil (Prathap, 1993, as Michael Raj), and Kannada (Deergha Sumangali, 1995).
Devan has also worked on television. Notable small-screen appearances include the Tamil serial Chinna Chinna Aasai-Uravu (1995) where he played Suresh, and the Malayalam serial Porutham (2001). His television work earned recognition: he received the SOMA Best Actor award for Porutham in 2001 and an Asianet Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2008 for his role in Swamy Ayyappan (2006).
Politics
Devan entered active politics in 2004 by founding the Kerala People’s Party. That year he stood as an independent candidate in the Wadakkanchery assembly by-election but was not elected. He again contested as an independent in the 2006 Kerala Assembly election from Thiruvananthapuram West and was defeated.
In 2020 he launched another political outfit, the Nava Kerala People’s Party. A year later that party merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party, and in 2023 Devan was appointed a state vice-president of the BJP in Kerala. In August 2026 he resigned from that role, citing differences with state party leaders and limited opportunities to work within the party. Following his departure from the BJP, he joined Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), the political group founded by actor Vijay.
Public profile
On screen, Devan built a reputation as a reliable actor for villainous and character roles across several South Indian film industries as well as in occasional Hindi projects. He is identified with light brown eyes and salt-and-pepper hair. Outside acting he has combined film production, business ventures, and political activity across several decades.
Personal life
Devan’s late wife was Suma; the couple had a daughter, Lakshmi. He follows Hinduism. His father-in-law was the film director Ramu Kariat.
Latest updates
As of August 2026 Devan resigned as Kerala BJP state vice-president and subsequently became a member of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). He continues to be noted for his longstanding contributions to South Indian cinema and his active engagement in regional politics.
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Recent Work
Announced joining the actor Vijay’s political outfit after resigning as Kerala BJP state vice-president in August 2026.
2026Stepped down from his BJP leadership role in August 2026, citing differences with party colleagues and limited opportunities to work.
2026Career Highlights
- Acting debut in Malayalam cinema in 1983
- Produced the Malayalam film Vellam and transitioned to acting to complete production
- Portrayed notable villain and character roles across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi films
- Won SOMA Best Actor (2001) for the TV show Porutham
- Won Asianet Television Award (2008) for Best Supporting Actor in Swamy Ayyappan (2006)
- Founded multiple political parties and held a BJP state vice-president post in Kerala
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Devan born?
Devan was born on 8 January 1952.
What is Devan known for?
Devan is known for politician, Actor.
What is Devan’s marital status?
Devan's marital status is listed as Widower.
Who is Devan married to?
Devan is publicly listed as married to Suma (deceased).
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