Shafi – The Comedy Hitmaker of Malayalam Cinema

Rasheed M. H, known professionally as Shafi (18 February 1968 – 26 January 2025) was a successful director who worked in Malayalam cinema since early 2000s. He contributed a series of comedy films of Malayalis and most of them are box office hits. Shafi started his career through the hit film One Man Show in 2001, and delivered numerous hits like Kalyanaraman (2002), Pulival Kalyanam (2003), Thommanum Makkalum (2005), Mayavi (2007), Chattambinadu (2009), Marykkundoru Kunjaadu (2010) and Two Countries (2015). He has attempted all genres of film making including romance, action and comedy and has proved successful in all genres. 

Shafi followed the footsteps of his elder brother Rafi

Shafi was born on 18 February 1968 in Ernakulam. Rafi of the Rafi Mecartin duo film directors is his elder brother. His uncle Siddique, from the popular director Lal-Siddique duo was a successful director of Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films.

Shafi started his film career in the mid-1990s by assisting director Rajasenan and the Rafi Mecartin duo. As an independent filmmaker, his debut film, One Man Show starring Jayaram was released in 2001. The movie was scripted by the Rafi Mecartin duo. It’s the first Malayalam film, perhaps the first Indian film based on a TV game show. The script was plotted against the Malayalam version of popular quiz show – Kaun banega Crorepathi (Ningalkkum Akam Kodeeswaran) hosted by actor Mukesh, where the actor reprised his role as a TV host on big screen as he did on small screen. Movie was a perfect combo of comedy and heartfelt emotions and got recognized for the fresh theme. Since then, he owns 18 films to his credit list, of which majority were hits except the last few.

Shafi had an amazing hit record with Dileep

His second film Kalyanaraman (2002) starring Dileep was a laugh riot and many of its scenes and dialogues are still iconic. Kalyanaraman was a blockbuster, and its success alongside the success of Meesa Madhavan & Kunji Kunan released the same year, established the career of Dileep. Later they delivered many memorable hits like Marykkundoru Kunjaadu and Two Countries, which still hold repetitive watch value on television.

His track record with Mammootty is also amazing with 4/4 hits

Shafi associated with Mammootty for the first time through Thommanum Makkalum in 2005. It was his fourth hit in a row, followed by One Man Show (2001), Kalyanaraman (2002), and Pulival Kalyanam (2003) starring Jayasurya and Kavya Madhavan. Shafi remade Thommanum Makkalum to Tamil marking his debut in Kollywood. Majaa, released the same year was his single work in Tamil. However the movie starring Vikram received mixed reviews.

His next work Mayaavi (2007) was also a Mammootty starrer, which was a hit. In 2009, he created the iconic comedy character Dasamoolam Damu through Mammootty starrer, Chattambinadu. ‘Dasamoolam Damu’ played by Suraj Venjaramoodu received cult classic status over the years. The comedy film was a box office success. Their last association together was in 2011 film, Venicile Vyaapari, which was a hit at box office. The film was praised for its story, performances, and direction, receiving positive reviews from critics.

Pulival Kalyanam – His first association with Jayasurya was a hit

Pulival Kalyanam was one of the early hits of Jayasurya’s career. Shafi directed Jayasurya in consecutive projects, Chocolate (2007) and Lollipop (2008). The multi-starrer movies also starred Prithviraj and Roma. The duo later associated together for the multi-starrer, 101 Weddings in 2012.

Shafi’s association with other actors

After his debut work, he associated with Jayaram a decade later. The movie was Makeup Man in 2011, which was a hit. His other works are Sherlock Toms, Oru Pazhaya Bomb Kadha, Children’s Park and the last work, Aanandam Paramanandam in 2022. His last four works flopped at box office. It’s interesting that, though he worked with all major Mollywood actors & delivered hits, he never worked with Mohanlal. Though there were news for their association for a project, it never happened.

His struggling early years

He was born to M. P. Hamsa and Naseeba. Belonging to the family of film directors, Siddique and Rafi, he also chose the same path. He dreamt to become a successful filmmaker inspiring from both and started his film journey in the mid-1990s assisting his uncle, elder brother and many other directors.

He had immense passion for films since childhood. He shared one interesting incident about his childhood, where he used to walk 4 kms to go to theatre to save 50 paise which was the minimum bus fare those days. He started weaving film dreams since then. When his father lost his job, young Shafi had to go through financial problems during school and college days. Mother used to do tailoring job to financially support the family, while his father slowly got isolated to his own lonely world.

The brothers started a bag company to support the family. It was a turning point of his life, while going to the company, on the way he met three old friends who completed their studies and were in good financial status. Though Shafi was brilliant in studies during his school days, while comparing their engineering and law background, he felt like he was missing something. Though he continued with the bag company, he started writing scripts though he was not sure his writings were good or bad. He just continued writing, whenever he got time and finally achieved the feat, which he was dreaming of. Though he went through a struggling period during his early years, the movies which he gifted to Malayalis were pure entertainers and made them laugh a lot.

His death came so unexpected. He passed away on the Republic Day 2025, aged only 56. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Aster Medcity in Ernakulam following a stroke on January 16. His uncle Siddique, a few years older to him passed away in August 2023.