Birth Date:16 June 1983
About Me
Sekhar Menon Biography: Life, Musical Career, Filmography, and Unknown Facts!
A multi-hyphenate artist in Malayalam entertainment, Sekhar Menon (popularly known as DJ Sekhar) has established himself as a prominent disc jockey, actor, and music composer. Unconventional in his script choices and pioneering in his musical pursuits, Sekhar broke body-image stereotypes in Indian cinema when he made his debut as a leading man in Aashiq Abu’s hit comedy-drama Da Thadiya (2012).
From performing at over 500 DJ stages across Kerala to scoring background tracks and playing eclectic roles in Malayalam cinema, Sekhar remains a unique multi-talented figure in modern Kollywood and Mollywood pop culture.
Quick Profile Snapshot
• Full Name: Chandrasekhar R. (Sekhar Menon)
• Popular Moniker: DJ Sekhar
• Date of Birth: June 16, 1983
• Birthplace: Kochi, Kerala, India
• Education: Degree in Sound Engineering (Chennai)
• Spouse: Maya Menon (m. 2008)
• Children: Kaamaakhya and Maathangi
• Professions: Disc Jockey, Film Actor, Music Composer
• Acting Debut: Ritu (Cameo, 2009) / Da Thadiya (Lead Debut, 2012)
Early Life & Musical Roots
Born and raised in Kochi, Kerala, Sekhar developed an early interest in sound production and contemporary global beats. During the late 1990s, when genres like funk, hip-hop, house, and R&B were far from mainstream in South India, Sekhar began exploring electronic music by tracking international music trends through internet cafes and contacts abroad.
He formalised his passion for sound design by earning a degree in Sound Engineering from Chennai. In 2001, he started deejaying professionally at a Kochi venue called Formula 1, quickly growing into one of Central Kerala's most sought-after resident DJs.
[2001: Starts Professional DJing Career at Formula 1 in Kochi]
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[2011: Collaborates with Aashiq Abu for Salt N' Pepper "Aanakallan" Remix]
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[2012: Breakthrough Lead Debut in Da Thadiya as Luke John Prakash]
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[2014–2015: Antagonist Role in Gangster & Popular Rom-Com 100 Days of Love]
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[2017–Present: Expanding into Film Scoring (Parava, Naaradan, 03:00 AM)]
Career Trajectory: DJing, Acting, and Composition
1. The Pioneer of Kochi's Club Scene
Long before stepping in front of the camera, Sekhar built a huge fanbase on stage. Performing at over 500 venues and clubs, he chose to remain anchored in his hometown of Kochi rather than relocating to larger nightlife hubs like Mumbai or Bengaluru. He eventually caught the eye of new-wave Malayalam filmmaker Aashiq Abu, leading to his first cinematic collaboration—a remix of Avial's hit track "Aanakallan" for the film Salt N' Pepper (2011).
2. Breaking Stereotypes in Malayalam Cinema
In 2012, Aashiq Abu cast Sekhar as the lead protagonist Luke John Prakash in Da Thadiya (Hey Fatso!). The film was praised for challenging fat-phobia and conventional beauty standards, turning Sekhar into a household name overnight.
Sekhar demonstrated his versatility by playing the cold, calculating antagonist Anto Pandhare alongside Mammootty in the neo-noir action film Gangster (2014). He also earned praise for his comic timing alongside Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menen in the romantic comedy 100 Days of Love (2015).
3. Transition to Music Direction & Sound Design
Leveraging his background in sound engineering, Sekhar expanded into film scoring and music direction. He co-composed and produced synths and background scores for notable projects including Parava (2017), Mayaanadhi (2017), Nine (2019), and Naaradan (2022).
Select Landmark Filmography
• Da Thadiya (2012) – Played Luke John Prakash, making his debut as a lead actor in a critically acclaimed romantic comedy-drama.
• Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathutty (2013) – Played Solomon in a satirical comedy directed by Ranjith.
• Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal (2013) – Played Vivek, appearing alongside Dileep.
• Gangster (2014) – Played the main antagonist Anto Pandhare opposite Mammootty.
• Beware of Dogs (2014) – Played Omanakkuttan, leading a comedy-drama cast.
• 100 Days of Love (2015) – Played Ummar, Dulquer Salmaan’s best friend, in a urban romantic comedy.
• Prathi Poovankozhi (2019) – Played Happymon in Rosshan Andrrews' drama starring Manju Warrier.
• Parava (2017) – Co-composed background score alongside Rex Vijayan and Yakzan Gary Pereira.
• Naaradan (2022) – Served as the primary Music Director for Aashiq Abu’s media-thriller starring Tovino Thomas.
5 Interesting Facts About Sekhar Menon
1. Formal Sound Engineer First: Unlike many actors who branch into music after finding film fame, Sekhar formally trained as a sound engineer in Chennai before ever making his acting debut.
2. Over 500 Stage Shows: Sekhar is one of Kerala's most prominent DJs, having performed at over 500 live events and clubs across South India.
3. Collaboration on Mayaanadhi: He co-produced synths and sound arrangements with composer Rex Vijayan for the hit romantic track "Uyirin Nadhiye" in the film Mayaanadhi (2017).
4. Body Positivity Icon: His lead debut Da Thadiya was a landmark moment in Malayalam cinema for presenting a plus-sized protagonist without reducing the character to a caricature, earning him widespread affection.
5. Kochi Nightlife Loyal: Despite receiving offers to relocate to larger nightlife markets like Mumbai and Goa, Sekhar chose to stay rooted in Kochi to help build the local independent music scene.
Sekhar Menon's films' availability: You can watch Sekhar Menon's films on B4U Movies Channels of India, UK, USA, Canada, and UAE. You can check country-specific schedule pages here.
- B4U Movies India
- B4U Kadak India
- B4U Movies UK
- B4U Movies USA
- B4U Movies Canada
- B4U Plus UAE
