Jinil Rexa and Jivin Rexa are so identical that it is difficult to tell them apart. “Interestingly, people now try to distinguish between us based on the roles we played,” says Jinil, referring to the characters they essayed in the blockbuster dark comedy, Mohiniyattam. He adds, “However, we don’t reveal who is who to anyone!”

The Kochi-based twins play Arun Ghosh (Jinil) and Ajay Ghosh (Jivin), half siblings in the movie and its prequel, Bharatanatyam (2024).

Their resemblance is a crucial plot point in Bharathanatyam, a family drama which revolves around Bharathan Nair (Sai Kumar), whose life unravels, as a secret family comes to light. While Ajay, the youngest of Bharathan Nair’s children, constantly chases problems and is a known troublemaker in the locality, Arun, his half brother, is well-mannered, quiet and sorted. “Both of us relate to Arun more than Ajay,” jokes Jivin, 29.

The shared humour and chemistry between the two actors was one of the highlights of the film, which got positive reviews following its OTT release despite a dismal theatre run.

The duo plays key roles in Mohiniyattam too. The film, which raked in over ₹50 crores at the box office and is now having a successful run on OTT, picks up from where the first film left off — Bharathan’s second family restarting their life in a village called Sreekandapuram, where a new trouble awaits both families as they end up committing a murder.

The duo has acted as identical twins in four films before Bharathanatyam. “When we heard the script of Bharathanatyam, it sounded unique to us, considering how it established the relationship between the two of us,” says Jinil. Jivin adds, “We used to be junior artistes. Bharathanatyam was probably one of the first films in which we got full-length roles.”  

Where it began

Since their acting debut in 2020 in a web series, Jinil and Jivin were always considered a “single entity”. Jinil, an interior designer then, was dropping off Jivin at an editing studio, when they were spotted by Alex Varghese, director of a web series, Adapadalam, who decided tocast them in it.

The twins acted in a film for the first time, in an unreleased movie called Shalamon, shot in 2023.

Born to a civil engineer father and a social worker mother, the twins are the youngest of four children. They recall that Krishnadas, who was an acquaintance of Shalamon’s writer Nissam Gaus, had called them to audition for Bharathanatyam after watching their performance. The actors were selected a day before the film’s shooting commenced and were trained by theatre artist Rakesh Palissery. “We each had to try out lines for both the characters, before the roles were decided,” says Jivin, who also starred in Maine Pyar Kiya, starring Hridhu Haroon and Preity Mukhundhan.

The twins recall that the ensemble cast of both films, featuring experienced actors such as Suraj Venjaramoodu, Jagadish, Sai Kumar, and Saiju, among others, created a “supportive space”. “Saiju chettan was a like brother to us throughout the shoot,” says Jivin.

The duo’s filmography has projects such as Chatha Pacha (2026) and Vishesham (2024), among others.

Despite finding their calling for acting late in life, the two believe they must make the most of the opportunities they get. “We were into dance and theatre as students. We used to watch a lot of films, which stoked our curiosity, like everyone else who watches movies and aspires to be in them. However, we never really chased it as a profession, initially,” says Jinil. “Once we started acting, we understood how passionately people are pursuing cinema. So, we thought we should make the most of what we get,” says Jivin, recollecting the struggle to find work in the industry. The actors add that post-Bharatanatyam, they did several jobs to earn a living, including painting work.

They are currently in talks for roles together and individually. “We want to work with more directors in the industry and do roles that have a lasting impact,” says Jinil, who expressed their wish to work in an action thriller.