Fahadh Faasil

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Fahadh Faasil (born Abdul Hameed Mohammed Fahad Fazil, 8 August 1982) is an Indian actor and producer who works mainly in Malayalam and Tamil films. Known for the range of characters he plays, he is considered among the finest actors in Indian cinema and is one of the highest-paid and most popular Malayalam actors. His awards include a National Film Award, four Kerala State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards South. Telugu audiences know him from Sukumar‘s Pushpa: The Rise (2021), which marked his Telugu debut, and its sequel Pushpa 2: The Rule (2024).

Early life

Fahadh was born in Alappuzha, Kerala, to the film director Fazil and his wife Rozina. Fazil, who works mainly in Malayalam cinema, directed one Telugu film, Killer (1992), starring Nagarjuna and Nagma. He has two sisters, Ahameda and Fatima, and a brother, Farhaan, who is also an actor. He attended SDV Central School in Alappuzha, Lawrence School in Ooty and Choice School in Tripunithura, took his bachelor’s degree at SD College, Alappuzha, and studied for a master’s in philosophy at the University of Miami.

A false start and a return

He first appeared on screen at 20, under the name Shaanu, in his father’s romance Kaiyethum Doorath (2002). The film failed, and Fahadh later took the blame himself, saying he had come into acting unprepared. He spent the next years studying in the United States.

He returned in 2009 with the anthology Kerala Cafe, playing a journalist in one of its ten short films. After roles in Pramani, the sleeper hit Cocktail and Tournament, his first lead since his debut, he drew attention in the thriller Chaappa Kurishu (2011), which won him the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor.

Breakthrough years

2012 was a turning point. In 22 Female Kottayam he played a travel agency worker who cheats his lover; the film was a major success and brought him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam. He followed it with Diamond Necklace, as an oncologist working in Dubai, another commercial success.

In 2013 he had twelve releases and established himself among the leading Malayalam actors. Highlights included Annayum Rasoolum, opposite Andrea Jeremiah; Amen, as a saxophonist, opposite Swathi Reddy; Akam, which brought a second State Award for Second Best Actor; and Oru Indian Pranayakadha with Amala Paul. His roles in Artist and North 24 Kaatham won him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor, and North 24 Kaatham also brought a second Filmfare award. In 2014 he played a workaholic executive in Bangalore Days, one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.

Critical acclaim

Despite some box office failures, his work kept drawing praise. He played a photographer in the hit Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016) and an IFS officer in Iraq in Take Off (2017). His role as a thief in Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017) won him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and his third Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam. The same year he entered Tamil cinema with Velaikkaran.

In 2018 he had successes with Carbon, Varathan and Njan Prakashan. His portrayal of Shammi, a chauvinist, in Kumbalangi Nights (2019), which he co-produced, won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actor, and the character has gained a cult following. That year he also appeared opposite Sai Pallavi in Athiran and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the acclaimed Tamil film Super Deluxe.

Wider recognition and Telugu films

Performances in Joji (2021), Malik (2021), Vikram (2022) and Aavesham (2024) brought him recognition across India. In Telugu, he made his debut in Pushpa: The Rise, part of an ensemble led by Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna, and returned for Pushpa 2: The Rule, both directed by Sukumar and produced by Mythri Movie Makers.

Business and personal life

Fahadh is married to the actress Nazriya Nazim, with whom he co-owns the production company Fahadh Faasil and Friends. He also runs the digital entertainment company Bhavana Studios with Dileesh Pothan and Syam Pushkaran, endorses a number of brands and is involved in philanthropy.

Sources: Wikipedia and Wikidata.