Fahadh Faasil
Abdul Hameed Mohammed Fahad Fazil, professionally known as Fahadh Faasil, is an Indian actor and producer who primarily works in Malayalam and Tamil films. Noted for his diverse portrayals, Fahadh is considered among the finest actors of Indian cinema. One of the highest-paid and most popular Malayalam actors, Fahadh is a recipient of several accolades including a National Film Award, four Kerala State Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards South.
Born to filmmaker Fazil, Fahadh began his career at the age of 20 with his father's 2002 romantic film Kaiyethum Doorath, which was a critical and commercial failure. Post a hiatus of seven years, Fahadh returned to films with the anthology Kerala Cafe and attained public attention for his role in the thrillers Chaappa Kurishu and Akam, winning the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for both these films.
Fahadh further achieved critical acclaim and commercial success with the thriller 22 Female Kottayam, romantic-dramas Diamond Necklace and Annayum Rasoolum, black-comedy Amen, adventure drama North 24 Kaatham, drama Artist, and the romantic-comedy Oru Indian Pranayakadha. While, 22 Female Kottayam and North 24 Kaatham won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam, Artist and North 24 Kaatham won him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor. Following this, he starred in one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films, the coming-of-age drama Bangalore Days.
Along with few box office failures, Fahadh continued to earn praises for his portrayals in the comedy-drama Maheshinte Prathikaaram, survival thriller Take Off, crime drama Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, which won him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and his third Filmfare Best Actor – Malayalam award, satirical comedy Njan Prakashan, action thriller Varathan and crime drama Joji. Fahadh has since earned national recognition with his performance in the drama Kumbalangi Nights, political thriller Malik, action thriller Vikram and action comedy Aavesham.
Fahadh is a celebrity endorser for several brands and products and is a philanthropist. Fahadh is married to actress Nazriya Nazim. He co-owns the production company Fahadh Faasil and Friends with his wife and has a digital entertainment company named Bhavana Studios, co-partnered with Dileesh Pothan and Syam Pushkaran.
Early life and background
Fahadh Faasil was born as Abdul Hameed Mohammed Fahad Fazil, on 8 August 1982, in Alappuzha, Kerala, to film director Fazil and his wife, Rozina. He has two sisters, Ahameda and Fatima, and a brother, Farhaan, who is also an actor.Fahadh completed his schooling from SDV Central School Alappuzha, Lawrence School Ooty and Choice School Tripunithura. He went on to pursue his Bachelor's from SD College, Alappuzha and Masters in philosophy from University of Miami in the United States.
Career
Debut, sabbatical and breakthrough (2002–2012)
Fahadh made his screen debut in 2002, with his father's Kaiyethum Doorath, opposite Nikita Thukral, under the stage name of Shaanu. The film was a failure at the box office. Regarding his performance, a critic of Sify wrote, "Shaanu oozes charm and suits the character of Sachin but he has to work hard on his dancing". Post the film's failure, Fahadh stated, "don't blame my father for my failure because it was my mistake and I came into acting without any preparation of my own." Following this Fahadh took a hiatus from acting and moved to United States for five years, where he pursued his studies. Fahadh returned to films in 2009 with Kerala Cafe, an anthology. At director Ranjith's behest, Uday Ananthan cast Fahadh in his Mrityunjayam, one of the 10 shorts in the film, where he played a journalist.The following year in 2010, Fahadh first appeared in Pramani, which received mixed reviews. He then played a construction firm owner in Cocktail, which emerged a sleeper hit. In Tournament, Fahadh played an aspiring cricketer, in his first lead role post his debut. Critics found his performance to be "polished". Fahadh had only one film release in 2011. He played the head of a construction business, in Chaappa Kurishu opposite Remya Nambeesan. The film was a success and earned him the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor along with a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam nomination. Keerthy Ramachandran of Deccan Chronicle was appreciative of his performance.
The year 2012 marked a turning point in Fahadh's career. He first played an actor in Padmasree Bharat Dr. Saroj Kumar, which was an average grosser at the box office. In his next film, 22 Female Kottayam, Fahadh played a travel agency worker who cheats his lover opposite Rima Kallingal. The film earned him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam and became a major box office success. A critic of News18 noted, "Fahadh shines as a lovable young entrepreneur in a woman oriented film, pulling off a difficult character with reasonable ease." Fahadh then played an oncologist working in Dubai in Diamond Necklace opposite Anusree. The film became another commercial success for him that year. A NDTV critic termed his performance "outstanding". In June 2012, a case was registered against Fahadh by the Kochi Town Central Police for violation of the rule against public display of images of smoking. A poster of Diamond Necklace that showed him smoking a cigarette had been on display before the Kavitha Theatre in Kochi since the film was released. His final film of the year, Friday had him play an auto rickshaw driver. The film became an average success and a critic of The Times of India found him to be "pleasing and stirring".
Established actor and critical acclaim (2013–2017)
Fahadh established himself among the leading Malayalam actors with his twelve film releases in 2013, earning commercial and critical success. Natholi Oru Cheriya Meenalla, Red Wine, 5 Sundarikal, Olipporu and D Company were average successes, while Annayum Rasoolum, Amen, Immanuel, Akam, Artist, North 24 Kaatham and Oru Indian Pranayakadha were commercial successes, ranking among the year's highest grossing films. Fahadh first played a Muslim taxi driver in love with a Christian girl in Annayum Rasoolum, opposite Andrea Jeremiah. Anil R. Nair stated that Fahadh's super brilliant performance stands out. He next played dual characters in Natholi Oru Cheriya Meenalla opposite Kamalinee Mukherjee, which received mixed reviews. In Red Wine, he played a leftist party local secretary. Several critics praised his "excellent screen presence". Then, he played a saxophonist in love with a rich girl opposite Swathi Reddy in Amen. Critics found Fahadh "versatile" and "impactful". Fahadh played an insurance company owner in his next, Immanuel, which received positive reviews from critics. Later, in Akam, he played an architect who suspect his wife to be a yakshi, opposite Anumol. The film won him the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor. A critic stated, "Fahadh has very little space to emote, yet he overpowers a much-needed deficiency to startling effect."Following this, Fahadh played a businessman opposite Asmita Sood in the anthology film, 5 Sundarikal. A The New Indian Express critic noted that his "presence and the philosophical touch" gives the anthology an edge over others. His next film, Olipporu received mixed reviews from critics. Fahadh received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Artist and North 24 Kaatham. In Artist, he played a fine arts student opposite Ann Augustine. Paresh C Palicha noted, "Fahadh who has created a niche for himself by portraying characters with grey shades, has one more winner in this." Post this, Fahadh played an IT professional opposite Swathi Reddy in North 24 Kaatham. The film earned him another Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam and Meenakshi D Sivan of Film Companion noted: "Fahadh fits into this role brilliantly, his mouth sealed as though for eternity and his face drained of the last trace of tenderness. He redeems a flawed plot with a restraint so natural to him." After this success, he played a doctor in the segment The Day of Judgement, of the film D Company opposite Bhama. The film received mixed to positive reviews. In his last release of the year, Oru Indian Pranayakadha, Fahadh played a young politician opposite Amala Paul. A critic of Gulf News called him "versatile" and added that he was "at ease" while playing the character.
Fahadh had five film released in 2014. He first played a circle Inspector in 1 by Two, which earned mixed reviews. Fahadh next appeared as an expatriate opposite Isha Talwar in God's Own Country, which was an average grosser. Paresh C Palicha found him "stiff and unimpressive". Later in Bangalore Days, Fahadh portrayed a workaholic corporate executive opposite Nazriya Nazim. The film emerged as one of the highest grossing Malayalam films of all time and gained a cult status. Aswin J Kumar of The Times of India opined that Fahadh's performance was "strikingly intense", while Sify found him to be in "full form" in his best role of the year. It earned him another Filmfare Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam nomination. Following this, he played a former naval officer in his co-production Iyobinte Pusthakam, opposite Isha Sharvani, a box office success. Mythily Ramachandran of Gulf News termed him "brilliant" as the quiet yet determined Aloshy. Money Ratnam was his year's final release, where he played a sales manager opposite Nivetha Thomas. Pramod Thomas praised his character and noted that he carriers the film "single-handedly".
Fahadh's three releases of 2015, were average grosser at the box office – Mariyam Mukku, Haram and Ayal Njanalla. In Mariyam Mukku, he played a fisherman opposite Sana Althaf. Fahadh played a speech trainer whose wife wants a divorce, in Haram opposite Radhika Apte. Asha Prakash of The Times of India stated that he has put his heart and soul into the character. In his final film of the year Ayal Njanalla, Fahadh played a man struggling with mistaken identity opposite Mrudula Murali. Reviewer Deepa Soman stated, "The movie is watchable due to Fahad’s acting, some attempts to create refreshing comic situations, enjoyable dialogues and impressive one-liners."
In 2016, Fahadh's first release, Monsoon Mangoes failed at the box office. He played an ambitious filmmaker opposite Iswarya Menon, Cris from Deccan Chronicle found his performance "unconvincing". Fahadh then played a photographer in Maheshinte Prathikaaram, opposite Aparna Balamurali, which became a major commercial success. Deepa Gauri of Khaleej Times noted, "Fahadh's performance is top-notch. He outshines the other in his 'natural-ness' quotient." Mythily Ramachandran stated, "Fahadh, not new to playing the common man, effortlessly brings out the highs and lows of Mahesh’s life." His performance earned him his third Filmfare Best Actor – Malayalam nomination.
In 2017, Fahadh appeared in four films, Role Models, Take Off, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum and Velaikkaran, of which the latter three were major commercial successes. In Take Off, Fahadh played an IFS officer in Iraq. Sowmya Rajendran stated that his soulful eyes and understated performance complemented the storytelling. His next film, Role Models opposite Namitha Pramod garned mixed reviews. Fahadh then played a thief in Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, one of his career's most notable role, which won him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and his third Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam. Sethumadhavan N of Bangalore Mirror wrote: "Fahadh plays second fiddle comfortably for the first half of the film. It takes a lot of guts and confidence for a popular star like him to take on such an unconventional role." Anna MM Vetticad opined that he is a picture in "understated hilarity". Fahadh ventured into Tamil films with Velaikkaran, where he played a businessman. In his review, Haricharan Pudipeddi opined that Fahadh gets to "steal the thunder" in the second half, in a confident debut.