Meet actor whose debut film was a major flop, moved to US, and later made his comeback after 7 years becoming a Pan-India star

Fahadh Faasil, known as Shaanu, began his acting career as the leading man in the film “Kaiyethum Doorath.” At just 19 years old, he took on this role under the guidance of his experienced Malayalam director father, Fazil.

Though under the guidance of a skilled artisan and boasting an appearance by Mammootty, the movie unfortunately didn’t resonate with critics or audiences. Surprisingly enough, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Asin had tried out for the part, but it ended up being awarded to Fahadh Faasil together with Nikita Thukral.

In an interview with NDTV, Fahadh shared his past challenges as a budding actor, explaining that it was his decision alone to enter films without prior preparation, and fans should not hold his father responsible. Following the release of his 2002 film, Fahadh relocated to the United States for some time, momentarily pausing his acting career.

During my time in the USA for university studies, I came across and watched the movie “Yuh Hota to Kya Hota,” directed by Naseeruddin Shah. In a past journal entry, I jotted down memories of reaching out to an acquaintance who portrayed Salim Rajabali in the film. The actor’s inspiring performance rekindled my enthusiasm for acting and ultimately led me back to India.

Check out Fahadh Faasil’s note on Irrfan Khan’s demise:

After living in the USA for five years, Fahadh Faasil returned to the Malayalam film industry and starred as the main actor in a short film named “Mrityunjayam,” helmed by Uday Ananthan. This film was included in the anthological movie, “Kerala Cafe.”

Around 2010, Fahadh acted alongside Mammootty in the film “Pramani” and was featured in movies like “Cocktail” and “Tournament”. In the subsequent years, he delivered captivating performances in films including “Chaappa Kurishu” and “Akam”, with the latter being hailed as a groundbreaking work in Malayalam cinema.

After that, Fahadh played a memorable role as the primary villain in the gripping revenge film “22 Female Kottayam” (22FK), featuring Rima Kallingal and helmed by her spouse, Aashiq Abu. Through films such as “Diamond Necklace,” “Annayum Rasoolum,” “Natholi Oru Cheriya Meenalla,” and “Amen,” Fahadh garnered both critical and financial success, sharing the screen with Mohanlal in the film “Red Wine.”

Check out Amen trailer:

For several years, Fahadh has captivated audiences on screen with movies such as Iyobinte Pusthakam and Bangalore Days. Notably, Bangalore Days is considered a peak achievement in contemporary Malayalam cinema and represents Fahadh’s initial collaboration with his spouse, Nazriya Nazim.

I’ve had the privilege of observing the incredible journey of this actor I’ve come across. By 2016-17, he made a significant mark in the film industry with his debut Malayalam movie “Maheshinte Prathikaaram.” This role catapulted him to fame, and his Tamil debut, “Velaikkaran,” alongside Sivakarthikeyan, further solidified his position. To add to his accomplishments, he was bestowed with the prestigious National Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum.” His talent and dedication have left a lasting impression on me as an observer of the entertainment industry.

Starting from 2018, Fahadh Faasil took on more unconventional characters in his movies, including Kumbalangi Nights, Athiran, and Super Deluxe. In the year 2020, he graced the silver screen with films such as Trance and C U Soon, marking his presence in India’s first computer-made film.

Check out Super Deluxe trailer:

In 2021, Fahadh left a strong impression in the Telugu film industry by portraying the lead villain opposite Allu Arjun in “Pushpa: The Rise.” Additionally, he has teamed up with notable actors such as Kamal Haasan in “Vikram” and Vadivelu in “Maamannan.” Fahadh is poised to work alongside acting legend Rajinikanth in the upcoming production titled “Vettaiyan.”

Additionally, the actor is working on Pushpa 2: The Rule alongside Malayalam movies such as Bougainvillea, Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira, and Karate Chandran which are scheduled to be released.

Fahadh Faasil was born on August 8, 1982, in Alappuzha, Kerala, to filmmaker Fazil and his spouse Rozina. His given name is Abdul Hameed Mohammed Fahadh Fazil. After finishing his education in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, he traveled to the United States to obtain a Master’s degree in Philosophy.

The actor, who is married to renowned actress Nazriya Nazim, has two sisters named Ahameda and Fatima, as well as a younger brother Farhaan Fazil, who is also an active actor in Malayalam cinema. Fahadh himself was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and revealed this information more recently.