Fahadh Faasil

Abdul Hameed Mohammed Fahad Fazil, known professionally as Fahadh Faasil, is an Indian actor and producer who primarily works in Malayalam and Tamil cinema. Recognized for playing a wide variety of roles, he has established himself as a prominent and high-earning performer in Malayalam films. His work has earned him numerous honors, including a National Film Award, four Kerala State Film Awards, and four Filmfare Awards South.

Fahadh was born on August 8, 1982, in Alappuzha, Kerala, to film director Fazil and his wife Rozina. He grew up alongside a brother named Farhaan, who is also an actor, and two sisters named Ahameda and Fatima. He completed his early education at SDV Central School in Alappuzha, the Lawrence School in Ooty, and Choice School in Tripunithura. He later pursued a bachelor's degree at SD College in Alappuzha and a master's degree in philosophy at the University of Miami in the United States.

Using the stage name Shaanu, Fahadh made his acting debut at age twenty in his father's 2002 romantic feature Kaiyethum Doorath. After the project failed critically and commercially, he stepped away from screen acting for several years to continue his studies in the United States. He returned to the film industry in the 2009 anthology film Kerala Cafe. Shortly afterward, he gained significant public attention and earned the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actor for his roles in the 2011 thrillers Chaappa Kurishu and Akam.

Over the following years, Fahadh achieved widespread acclaim and commercial success. His performances in projects such as 22 Female Kottayam and North 24 Kaatham earned him Filmfare Awards for Best Actor – Malayalam, while his work in Artist and North 24 Kaatham secured him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor. He also starred in major box office successes like the romantic drama Diamond Necklace, the comedy Amen, the drama Annayum Rasoolum, and the 2014 ensemble coming-of-age film Bangalore Days.

His career continued to expand with praised performances in films like the 2016 comedy-drama Maheshinte Prathikaaram and the 2017 survival drama Take Off. His portrayal of a thief in the 2017 crime drama Thondimuthalam Driksakshiyum won him the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor as well as another Filmfare Award. His reputation grew further through prominent roles in features such as Carbon, Varathan, Njan Prakashan, Kumbalangi Nights, Joji, Malik, the Tamil film Velaikkaran, Vikram, and Aavesham.

In addition to his film work, Fahadh acts as a brand endorser and is involved in philanthropy. He is married to actress Nazriya Nazim, with whom he co-owns the production company Fahadh Faasil and Friends. He is also a co-partner in the digital entertainment company Bhavana Studios alongside Dileesh Pothan and Syam Pushkaran.