Aashiq Abu


Aashiq Abu is an Indian film director, producer, cinematographer, actor, and distributor, who works in Malayalam cinema.
He is best known for his films such as Daddy Cool, Salt N' Pepper, 22 Female Kottayam,'' Idukki Gold , Mayaanadhi, Virus and Rifle Club. Abu is often known for his collaboration with screenwriters Syam Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair.
Abu produces and distributes under the banner OPM and OPM Dream Mill Cinemas. OPM produced Dileesh Pothan's directional debut Maheshinte Prathikaaram'', which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.

Personal life

Aashiq Abu was born in Edappally, Kochi, Kerala to C. M. Abu, and Jameela Abu. Aashiq Abu completed his school education at SRV High School, Kochi. As a pre-degree student at Maharajas College, he was elected to the Students' Union and was a union member for four consecutive years.
He married actress Rima Kallingal on 1 November 2013, in a simple function held in Kakkanad Registration office, Kochi.
Aashiq Abu has been part of Anbodu Kochi, a Facebook-based group which works with the local administration, collecting and distributing relief materials in the aftermath of natural disasters. In 2019 November, Kochi Music Foundation of which Aashiq Abu is a part of organised a musical event 'Karuna' in Kochi promising that the proceedings from the event will be donated to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund to help flood victims. There was a delay in Chief Minister's office receiving the funds, sparking a controversy.

Film career

After working as an assistant director to Malayalam film director Kamal for about five years, Abu made his directorial debut with Daddy Cool in 2009 starring Mammootty. Salt N' Pepper was his second directorial effort. Salt N' Pepper’s Tamil, Telugu and Hindi remake rights was bought by actor-director Prakash Raj. In 2012, he directed 22 Female Kottayam which was followed by Da Thadiya, Gangster and Rani Padmini. Aashiq Abu has also done a short film, Lost in Bangalore for Mathrubhumi. His 2017 release was Mayaanadhi. On 7 June 2019, his latest film Virus was released. The film is based on the true events of the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala in 2018.

Filmography

YearFilmDirectorProducerNotes
2009Daddy Cool
2011Salt N' Pepper
201222 Female Kottayam
2012Da Thadiya
2013Anchu SundharikalAnthology
2013Idukki Gold
2014Gangster
2015Rani Padmini
2016Maheshinte PrathikaaramDirected by Dileesh Pothan
2017Mayaanadhi
2018Ee.Ma.YauDirected by Lijo Jose Pellissery
2019Virus
2020Halal Love StoryDirected by Zakariya Mohammed
2021AarkkariyamDirectorial debut of Sanu Varghese
2021Aanum PennumAnthology film,
2021Bheemante VazhiDirected by Ashraf Hamza
2022Naaradan
2023NeelavelichamAdaptation of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's story
2024Rifle Club