R. Neelakantan started acting in school dramas from school days, continuing through his college days at Vivekananda College. He along with Ambi (Cho Ramaswamys brother) and Narayanasamy started Viveka Fine Arts. He acted in plays like Muhammad bin Tughluq, Endru Thaniyum Indha Sudandira Dhaagam, Quo Vadis, Unmayae Un Vilai Enna?, Yarukkum Vetkamillai. In 1966 he made his film début Aayiram Poi directed by Muktha Srinivasan. He has acted in plays along with Crazy Mohan, Cho Ramaswamy. He has also worked as production manager in Jerry. All through his career, he worked with V D Swamy before retiring from his day job after 40 years of service.
Naangal
Arangetram
(Music teacher)
Chinnappadass
Kaaviya Thalaivan
(Ranga Bashyam)
Priyamaana Thozhi
(Ashok's Sister-in-Law's Father)
Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal
(Ganesan - Ganga's brother)
Panchatanthiram
(Ammini Iyappan Nair's Father)
Trisha Illana Nayanthara
Kadhala Kadhala
Janatha Nagar Colony
Muhammad bin Tughluq
Nootrukku Nooru
Gauravam
Avvai Shanmugi
Suryavamsam
Dheena
(Restaurant Owner)
Pammal K. Sambandam
Anniyan
(Ananthanarayanan)
Rendu
Jerry
Kalyana Samayal Saadham
(Meera's uncle)
Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan
Aayiram Poi
(Neelakanda Sasthri, Cameo Appearance)
Velum Mayilum Thunai
(Advocate Appalachari)
Amma Ponnu
(College principal)
Vetri Vinayagar
(Gurukulam Head)
Kaliyuga Kannan
(Lord Krishna)
Pudhiya Mannargal
Cinema Paithiyam
Then Sindhudhe Vaanam
Sathyam
Pala Parikshai
Kathanayagan