Kerala born, Kay Kay Menon has a ardent set of high-profile admirers. His striking appearance and acting genius has manifested itself in a ten year long career spanning theatre, television and movies winning him the admiration of Pritish Nandy and Anurag Kashyap. Hansal Mehta prophetically hails his arrival on the scene, as the arrival of a new star.

Raised in Pune, Maharashtra, Kay Kay completed an a bachelors degree in Physics and an MBA at Pune University. This was followed by a stint as a manager in a Dadar office. But office desk life proved uninteresting and stifling, prompting Kay Kay to throw in the towel and pursue his 'swadharma' - acting. In a country like India where economic security tends to override all else, and where acting is considered a frivolous activity, this was no mean feat.

Kay Kay had acted in several college plays in his student days, and found himself returning to theatre. He appeared in cameo roles on television and numerous plays, finding himself liberated despite the meagre pay. Kay Kay's excellent performances on stage opened doors for him. Hansal Mehta who offered him the action thriller 'Chhal' followed Kay Kay's career on stage for many years. Kay Kay was offered roles on television, which he chose carefully - avoiding gruelling soaps, focussing instead on substantial roles on serials. The average television viewer would recognize him as the Prime Minister in Zee's Pradhan Mantri.

The move to films was inevitable. He made his film debut as the sensitive Verma in Mahesh Mathai's Bhopal Express. His performance was widely appreciated, earning him Filmfare and Videocon Screen Award nominations. He has since finished filming 'Chhal' and 'Paanch'. Chhal released on August 9th 2002 to favourable reviews. Paanch is due for release soon.

On the personal front, Kay Kay is happily married to his wife Nivedita and maintains close friendships with his colleagues from theatre. He is a resident of Versova, Mumbai.

Kay Kay has several upcoming projects including a Pritish Nandy Communications film called 'Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi', Anurag Kashyap's next directorial venture 'Gulal', Vishal Bharadwaj's Maqbool and Gaurang Doshi's Deewar. Get ready to see a lot more of this brilliant actor.

[Clearing up a common misconception...A lot of you have written to me asking whether Kay Kay is also a singer. The answer is NO. Kay Kay Menon is a not the same person as the singer K.K. (Krishna Kumar), who sang in Chhal, Paanch and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The only playback Kay Kay has done is in Paanch, where he says "Chod na, kisisi ko kucch nahin" in the song, Kyaa Din Kyaa Raat.]