Writer and director · Telugu cinema
Fazil
Fazil movies: 3 Telugu films on file (2 as writer, 1 as director), 1987–1997. Earliest on file: Pasivadi Pranam (1987). Latest release: Nenu Premisthunnanu (6 June 1997).
- Films on file
- 3 (2 as writer, 1 as director)
- Years on file
- 1987–1997
- Born
- 1953 (Wikidata)
- Selected films on file
- Pasivadi Pranam, Killer, Nenu Premisthunnanu
- Record
- Q3534902 on Wikidata
Fazil (Abdul Hameed Muhammed Fazil) is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter and actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema and has also directed several Tamil films. He is the father of the actor Fahadh Faasil. His one Telugu film as director is Killer (1992), starring Nagarjuna and Nagma.
Wikipedia gives his date of birth as 4 February 1949; Wikidata records only the year 1953, and both name Alappuzha as his birthplace. He studied economics at S.D. College, Alappuzha, where he wrote and staged plays with friends including Nedumudi Venu.
Fazil’s Telugu movie: Killer (1992)
Killer released on 10 January 1992. Fazil wrote and directed it; V. B. Rajendra Prasad produced it under Jagapathi Art Pictures, and Ilaiyaraaja composed the music. According to the film’s Wikipedia article, Fazil first planned it in Malayalam with Mohanlal, who declined the dark-themed story, so he made it in Telugu with Nagarjuna and reworked the screenplay. The film introduced Nagma to South Indian cinema. It was a commercial success, running for more than 100 days, and was dubbed into Tamil as Eashwar.
So when people ask which Telugu film Fahadh Faasil’s father made with Nagarjuna, the answer is Killer. Our records also credit Fazil as a writer on two other Telugu films, Pasivadi Pranam (1987) and Nenu Premisthunnanu (1997), both directed by others; they are listed below.
Career in Malayalam and Tamil
He made his directorial debut with Manjil Virinja Pookkal (1980), which was also Mohanlal’s first film in theatres. His best-known films include Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku (1983), Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu (1984), Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal (1986), Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal (1987), Ente Sooryaputhrikku (1991), Pappayude Swantham Appoos (1992), Manichitrathazhu (1993) and Harikrishnans (1998). Wikipedia credits him with introducing several South Indian stars, among them Nadia Moidu, Baby Shalini, Kunchacko Boban, Khushbu and his son Fahadh.
Awards
- National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Manichitrathazhu (1993), listed in the 41st National Film Awards catalogue.
- Kerala State Film Award for Best Director and Best Film for Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku (1983), and several Kerala State awards for the best film with popular appeal and aesthetic value.
- Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil for Poove Poochooda Vaa (1985).
Family
Fazil has two sons, the actors Fahadh Faasil and Farhaan Faasil, who work mainly in Malayalam films, and two daughters. Fahadh, known to Telugu audiences from Pushpa: The Rise, is married to the actress Nazriya Nazim.
Sources: Wikipedia, the Wikipedia article on Killer, Wikidata, and Tollywood Desk’s film records.