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.