Irshad Ali, better known as Irshad, is a noted character artist associated with the Malayalam entertainment industry. He appears in both films and television soaps. Irshad has played a wide range of roles on screen, including several grey-shaded roles and comic roles. He has been associated with Malayalam cinema since the mid-1990s, playing brief roles. He has also acted in both offbeat and commercial movies. He also recites poetry.
Irshad – Malayalam Actor from Thrissur
Irshad hails from Thrissur. Puthenpura Nalakathu Abdu and Nafeesa are his parents. He was born as the fourth among the six children of his parents. His father owned a plastic manufacturing company in Chennai. The unexpected death of his elder brother affected his father badly. He lost eyesight because of diabetes. Irshad’s life turned upside down when he lost his father while studying in class 9.
He completed SSLC from Al Ameen High School, Kechery, Thrissur. While studying for a pre-university degree, he had to discontinue his studies and work in a parcel office to support the family. His elder brother, who was a brilliant student, had already discontinued studies.
He joined the film industry at a very young age in 1995, and in a career spanning three decades, he has acted in brief and major roles in more than 100 films, apart from notable roles on the small screen. He is married to Ramseena Irshad, a bank employee, and the couple has one son.
Irshad is best known for playing negative characters
Since young Irshad was a movie buff and also participated in local culture events, which included plays and street plays. Irshad joined the film industry in 1995. His first appearance was in Parvathy Parinayam, where he appeared as a spectator among the crowd.
While he was doing parcel service, he came into contact with Cheruvathoor Wilson of Kunnamkulam. He introduced Irshad to Film Producer, Swapna Baby. From him, he came to know that filmmaker P. B. Viswambharan was in search of a junior artist to play Overseer of KSEB, and hence approached him. He visited the film location and approached the film producer. He was not impressed by his looks, but allowed him to be among the crowd, standing behind Mukesh. The movie was Parvathy Parinayam, and it was for the first time he appeared in front of the camera. Since then, he started playing brief roles, mostly uncredited roles.
He played the college chairman in Pranayavarnangal (1998), his first credited film role. He also appeared in the 1999 offbeat film Garshom. Though in brief roles, Irshad got the opportunity to work with acclaimed filmmakers such as Pavithran, T. V. Chandran, P. T. Kunju Muhammed, and K. R. Mohanan.
He played brief roles in Narasimham, Kudamattom, British Market, Manjukalavum Kazhinju, Mizhi Randilum, etc. during his initial days.
He played the male lead opposite Meera Jasmine in Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam
He played the negative role of Meera Jasmine’s husband in Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam, which won her the National Film Award for Best Actress. Despite playing the male lead in an acclaimed film, he had to wait for a long period to taste success.
After struggling for a long period, he came to prominence only in the early 2010s. His character roles in Malgudi Days, Su.. Su… Sudhi Vathmeekam, Loham, Mariyam Mukku, Sapthamsree Thaskaraha, To Noora with Love, Varsham, Vikramadithyan, etc., helped him a lot to make him a familiar face among Malayalis.
Some of the roles he played later include – Dany, Dhrishyam, Su.. Su… Sudhi Vathmeekam, Sapthamsree Thaskaraha, Veettilekkulla Vazhi, Madhya Venal, Paradesi, Bhoomi Malayalam, Bhakthajanangalude Sradhakku, Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum, Njaan, Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam.
Post-pandemic, he played notable roles in Corona Dhavan, Valathu Vashathe Kallan, Pennu Case, Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam, DNA, Operation Java, Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil etc.
He is successful in daily soaps
He joined the small screen with Doordarshan soaps in 1999. Initially, he appeared in Doordarshan soaps such as Ninavukal Novukal, Jwala, Prayanam, etc. He acted in more than a dozen of TV shows. Swami Ayyappan, Manasariyathe, Radhamadhavam, and Unniyarcha are some of his noted roles on the small screen. When he turned busy with films in the mid-2010s, he concentrated to films.
Irshad – Some lesser-known and interesting facts
1. As he discontinued studies during PDC, he lost a chance to enjoy college life. Yet he finds happiness by reciting poems. He started reciting poems of Kunjunni Mash, followed by Veerankutty, Kalpatta Narayan, etc. He loves reciting prose-style poetry.
2. He lost his mother to cancer 11 years ago. The day she was diagnosed, they took a photo together, and he still keeps it as his Whatsapp DP.
3. During his teens, his mother supported him in pursuing his film journey. After marriage, his wife did the same.
4. He published a book – Veyilil Nananjathum Mazhayil Polliyathum.
5. In 2021, he won the Manappuram Minnalai Film TV Awards for Best Actor for the film, Wolf.
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