Rima Kallingal is an Indian model and film actress, predominantly appearing in Malayalam cinema. After being named First Runner-up in the Miss Kerala 2008 contest, she went to pursue a career in acting. She made her film debut in 2009 through the film Ritu later appeared in Neelathaamara (2009) and continues to work in Malayalam films. Her notable roles include in City of God, Indian Rupee, Nidra, 22 Female Kottayam and August Club. She has also appeared in a couple of Tamil films.

Biographie

Born in Thrissur, Rima Kallingal began dancing when she was three years old. A dancer by profession, she has performed on national and international stages. She studied in Stanes Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, Coonoor up to Fifth grade. She completed her schooling from Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Thrissur, passing out in 2001. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Christ University, Bangalore. She is also skilled in Taekwondo (Korean martial art), Chao (Manipuri martial art) and Kalari.

She was a semi-finalist of the Asianet reality show Vodafone Thakadhimi. She moved to Bangalore to pursue a modelling career and later participated in the Miss Kerala beauty pageant, in which be she became the first runner-up, losing to Shree Thulasi in a tie-breaker.

She was spotted by director Lal Jose on a magazine cover, who cast her for a goat herder role in a Tamil film Mazhai Varappoguthu. The project didn't materialise, but she was offered the lead female character of Varsha by director Shyamaprasad for Ritu, which eventually marked her acting debut. She was 25 when she acted in the film.

In 2012, she acted in the film 22 Female Kottayam which became a big success, commercially as well as critically. She received praises and won many awards for her portrayal of Tessa. She also won the Kerala State Government award for Best Actress. After 22 Female Kottayam she told that she had made some mistakes in her career and stated "Yes, I have done a few films I never should have, but I am determined not to repeat those mistakes".

In 2013, Rima turned television anchor with the Mazhavil Manorama show "Midukki". Because of that, she had reportedly been banned from acting in films by the Kerala Film Chamber.