Shahi Kabir – Malayalam screenwriter of ‘Joseph’ fame

Shahi Kabir is an upcoming screenwriter of Malayalam films, who capitulated to fame after writing the story and script of one of the best investigation thrillers of recent times, Joseph in 2018. Each and every character of the movie was well crafted which made it look like a real-life incident, though it’s not the case. Interestingly it’s his debut film only. He is a civil police officer with the Kerala Police in his early 40s, and his experience in this profession has helped him a lot to script this investigation thriller.

Shahi has been an ardent movie since his childhood days. His first stint with writing happened in 2015 when he scripted and directed the short film, In? Glorious Life. After scripting Joseph, he also had plans to direct the film. So he worked as an assistant director of Dileesh Pothan for a brief period. It was actor Tovino Thomas who introduced him to the director. However after assisting Pothan for one movie, he realized that it’s not his cup of tea. The film was later directed by Padma Kumar. Yet he has not given up his direction plans.

Shahi Kabir – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. The screenwriter feels that as he is a movie buff, it gives him a lot of relief from his harsh job as a policeman.

2. He currently works in district headquarters of Kerala Police in Kottayam.

3. Shahi received both praises and criticism for his script of Joseph. Kerala medical body criticized the film for presenting organ transplant in bad light. They felt that Joseph’s depiction through wrong frames of scam could discourage people from donating organs.  

4. Shahi served as an assistant director on Dileesh’s Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, and played a brief role in the film. Dileesh’s role in Joseph was well-written and he received a lot of praises for the same.

5. Though Joseph’s story has nothing to do with real life, some persons in real life have influenced him to script this story. First name is a retired police officer who helped his department to catch a convict who fled from Psychiatry ward of Kottayan department, and a heart patient Ambili Fathima, whose life couldn’t be saved even after heart transplant.

6. His short film as a director In? Glorious Life received six awards.