Niyas Backer

Niyas Backer
OccupationsActor, mimicry artist, film director
Years active1990s–present
Known forMarimayam
RelativesKalabhavan Navas (brother)

Niyas Backer is an Indian actor, mimicry artist, and occasional film director who works primarily in the Malayalam film and television industry.[1] He is best known for his portrayal of the character Koya in the long-running Malayalam television sitcom Marimayam.[2] Over the years, he has appeared in a wide range of Malayalam films, mainly in supporting and character roles, and has also directed a feature film.[3]

Early life

Niyas Backer hails from Vadakkancherry in Thrissur district, Kerala. He is the eldest son of Aboobacker, a theatre artist and actor, and the elder brother of the late Malayalam actor and mimicry artist Kalabhavan Navas.[4]

Career

Niyas Backer began his career as a mimicry artist and stage performer, participating in comedy shows and theatre programmes across Kerala.[5] He gradually transitioned to cinema, establishing himself as a dependable character actor in Malayalam films.[6]

Alongside film appearances, he gained widespread popularity on television through his role as Koya in Marimayam, a satirical sitcom broadcast on Mazhavil Manorama since 2011.[7] His performance in the series earned him recognition among television audiences.[8]

In 2013, Niyas made his directorial debut with the Malayalam film Vallatha Pahayan, in which he also acted.[9] The film marked his entry into filmmaking beyond acting. In 2014, he played the lead role in the film Manja, portraying the central character.[10]

Filmography

Films

Year Film Role Notes
1993 Venkalam — [11]
1993 Chamayam (1993 film) — [11]
1997 Kudamattam — [11]
2001 Ishtam (2001 Malayalam film) Babukuttan [11]
2003 Gramophone (film) Lalappan [11]
2007 Speed Track Tinu’s friend [11]
2012 Jawan of Vellimala Shibu [11]
2012 Spanish Masala Abdu Mimicry artist [11]
2012 Ordinary (film) KPAC Chandran [11]
2012 Run Baby Run (2012 film) — [11]
2013 3 Dots Manoharan [11]
2013 Vallatha Pahayan Kuruvilla Director and actor [12]
2014 Polytechnic (film) Murugan [11]
2014 Manja (film) Jackson Lead role [13]
2014 Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 Cook Manjulan [11]
2017 Fukri Vasantha Kumar [11]
2018 Queen (2018 film) Head of Mechanical Dept. [11]
2019 Oru Adaar Love Gadha’s father [11]
2019 Porinju Mariam Jose Varkey [11]
2019 Lonappante Mamodeesa Simon [11]
2019 Munthiri Monchan Aniyachan [11]
2019 Mask (2019 film) [11]
2024 Panchayath Jetty Aliyan [14]
2024 Vivekanandan Viralanu Jayan Civil Police Officer [11]
2025 Pravinkoodu Shappu Ceylon Ramakrishnan [11]
2025 Sarvam Maya Client [11]

Family

  • Father: Aboobacker – actor and theatre artist
  • Brother: Late Kalabhavan Navas – Malayalam film and mimicry actor, passed away in August 2025.[15]

Public attention

In 2025, Niyas Backer publicly refused a viral social media claim that his late brother’s family had received a ₹26 lakh insurance payout, stating the posted insurance card was fake and warning the public against spreading misinformation.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Niyas Backer on photos viral after daughter wedding". Onmanorama. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
  2. ^ "Marimayam completes a decade on television". Manorama News (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  3. ^ "Niyas Backer on directing Vallatha Pahayan". Manorama Online (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Guess how old is Niyas Backer?". Onmanorama. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Niyas Backer – Biography & Filmography". Filmibeat. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  6. ^ "Niyas Backer – Filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  7. ^ "Marimayam completes a decade on television". Manorama News. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  8. ^ "Niyas Backer on Marimayam". Onmanorama. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  9. ^ "Vallatha Pahayan Movie Review". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  10. ^ "Niyas Backer in Manja". The Times of India. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "Niyas Backer – Biography & Filmography". Filmibeat.
  12. ^ "Vallatha Pahayan Movie Review". The Times of India.
  13. ^ "Niyas Backer in Manja". The Times of India.
  14. ^ "Panchayath Jetty to hit theatres". News18.
  15. ^ "Niyas Backer denies LIC claim related to Kalabhavan Navas". Onmanorama. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
  16. ^ "Kalabhavan Navas LIC claim is fake, says brother Niyas Backer". Times Now Malayalam. Retrieved 2026-02-02.
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