[9] Mukesh was born to actors O. Madhavan and Vijayakumari, in Kollam, Kerala, India on 5 March 1957.

[15] Examples include Ninnishtam Ennishtam (1986), Adiverukal (1986), Hello My Dear Wrong Number (1986) and Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986).

He also appeared in supporting roles to Mammootty in the late-80s with successful films like Snehamulla Simham (1986), Shyama (1986), Thaniyavarthanam (1987), 1921 (1988), Sangham (1988), Mahayanam (1989) and Nair Saab (1989).

In 1988, he appeared as Chacko in the cult investigative thriller Oru CBI Diary Kurippu also featuring Mammootty.

[17] Then, in 1989, he starred in Ramji Rao Speaking, a blockbuster that ran for 200 days in theatres and went on to become the second highest grossing film of the year.

[19] Ramji Rao Speaking is considered by audiences and critics to be one of the best comedy films made in Malayalam cinema.

[citation needed] Following the success of Cheriya Lokavum Valiya Manushyarum he again collaborated with Siddique-Lal for In Harihar Nagar, which is considered to be one of the defining films of the Malayalam golden age of comedy.

He also starred as solo hero in commercially successful films like Gajakesariyogam, Ottayal Pattalam and Champion Thomas in the same year.

[29] He then teamed up with director P. G. Vishwambaran, who had earlier directed him in Ithu Njangalude Katha (1982), in several successful films like Innathe Programme and Irrikku M. D. Akathundu.

[30] He starred in the critically acclaimed Kakkathollayiram in which he played the role of the brother to mentally ill woman.

[31] He also worked with Shaji Kailas in Souhrudam (1991), in which he starred alongside Urvashi, Sai Kumar and Parvathy.

[32] The next year, he starred alongside Jayaram in Kamal's Aayushkalam (1992), a super hit at the box office.

He appeared in a supporting role to Mammootty in the 1996 comedy-drama film Hitler, directed by Siddique of the Siddique-Lal duo.

Regardless, he came back with interesting supporting roles in Udayananu Tharam, Goal, Vinodayathra, Boyy Friennd, Kaiyoppu, Naalu Pennungal and Katha Parayumbol.

He is now acting in Badai bungalow, a comedy and celebrity talk show hosted by Ramesh Pisharody, launched on Asianet from 2013.

[49] In 2007, Mukesh authored a book based on experiences while he was a student at college, and tales from his life as a movie actor.

The phone call's recording was circulated on social media, leading to criticism of Mukesh.

[52] After the publication of the Hema Committee report in 2024, an actress alleged that Mukesh had sexually harassed her.

[53][54][55][56] CPI(M) MLA and actor M Mukesh got arrested in rape case by Special Investigation Team on 24 September 2024.

His lawyer confirmed that the MLA was arrested, his medical examination and potency test were carried out and then he was released as he had been granted anticipatory bail by a sessions court earlier this month.

In the 2024 Indian general election, Mukesh contested for the Lok Sabha from the Kollam constituency but lost to N.K.