15 films in 16 years: Shafi’s memorable journey as a superhit filmmaker!
Director Shafi is best known for his comedy movies. The veteran, who has been in the industry for nearly two decades, has helmed fourteen movies and the upcoming Biju Menon starrer Sherlock Toms marks his landmark fifteenth film. Shafi’s films have huge popularity among the families thanks to some quality humour. Let’s take a look at the movies that Shafi has helmed so far.
1) One Man Show (2001)
Shafi made his directorial debut with this full on fun entertainer that had Jayaram, Lal and Samyuktha Varma in the lead roles. The movie was scripted jointly by Shafi’s brother Rafi and Mecartin. One Man Show enjoyed a theatrical run of over 150 days and emerged as a huge commercial success.
2) Kalyanaraman (2002)
This Dileep starrer is a favourite among the audience even today when it is telecasted in channels. Salim Kumar and Innocent’s rib tickling comedy numbers are still used for social media trolls. Benny P Nayarambalam scripted this family entertainer that also starred Navya Nair, Lal, Lalu Alex, Jyothirmayi and Kunchako Boban.
3) Pulival Kalyanam (2003)
Another hilarious entertainer from Shafi. Eventhough, Jayasurya and Kavya Madhavan played the lead roles, the movie’s USP was the excellent comic numbers of Salim Kumar, Jagathy Sreekumar, Cochin Haneefa and Harisree Ashokan. Pulival Kalyanam, scripted by Udhayakrishna-Sibi K Thomas duo, was Jayasurya’s first solo blockbuster.
4) Thommanum Makkalum (2005)
For his next, Shafi roped in Mammootty and Lal to play the lead roles. This tale of Thomman (Rajan P Dev) and his two spoilt sons was scripted by Benny P Nayarambalam. The film was among the highest grossing Malayalam films of 2005. The movie was later remade in Tamil and Kannada with top stars reprising Mammootty’s and Lal’s characters.
5) Majaa (2005)
This remake of Thommanum Makkalum marked Shafi’s debut in Tamil cinema. Vikram, Pasupathy and Asin played the lead roles. Majaa was also a successful affair at the box office.
6) Mayavai (2007)
Shafi once again teamed up with Mammootty for Mayavi, a complete commercial entertainer. Written by the Rafi-Mecartin duo, the movie also starred Kumar, Manoj K. Jayan, Gopika, Vijayaraghavan and Saikumar. Mayavi was the highest grosser of the year and also one of Mammootty’s biggest ever successes during it’s time of release. The movie was later remade in Tamil with Arjun in the lead role.
7) Chocolate (2007)
Chocolate is arguably Shafi’s most stylish film. The treatment was very fresh with a women’s college as the backdrop. Prithviraj, Roma, Jayasurya and Samvrutha Sunil essayed the lead roles. This campus based entertainer was scripted by Sachi-Sethu. Chocolate was another superhit film which was also remade in Telugu as Chalaki with Aditya Babu.
8) Lollipop (2008)
Inspired by the success of Chocolate, Shafi roped in almost the same set of actors for his next movie, Lollipop. Prithviraj, Roma, Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya and Bhavana played the lead roles. However, the team could not repeat the magic of Chocolate as Lollipop ended up as an avergae grosser at the box office.
9) Chattambinadu (2009)
Chattambinadu was Shafi’s third film with Mammootty. Benny P Nayarambalam scripted this movie which also starred Lakshmi Rai, Siddique, Manoj K. Jayan, Vinu Mohan, and Suraj Venjarammoodu. Mammootty himself produced the movie under his banner Play House Pictures. Chattambinadu was the Christmas winner of 2009 and emerged as a superhit.
10) Marykkundoru Kunjaadu (2010)
The trio of Dileep-Shafi and Benny P Nayarambalam teamed up once again in 2010 after the blockbuster success of Kalayanaraman. Marykkundoru Kunjaadu was a simple rural-comedy entertainer that had Dileep, Bhavana and Biju Menon in the lead roles. The movie provided a big image makeover for Biju Menon. It successfully completed 150 days of theatrical run and eventually became the third highest grossing Malayalam film of 2010.
11) Makeup Man (2011)
Sachi-Sethu scripted this movie that had Jayaram and Sheela in tbe lead roles. A newly married couple ends up in the world of cinema due to their circumstances. Prithviraj and Kunchacko Boban also appeared in cameo roles. The movie emerged as a superhit at the box office.
12) Venicile Vyapari (2011)
Shafi’s second film of the year had Mammootty in the lead role. James Albert scripted this movie. Kavya Madhavan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Poonan Bajwa, Biju Menon, Salim Kunar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Vijayaraghavan and many others in supporting roles.
13) 101 Weddings (2012)
This was probably the only complete failure in Shafi’s career. Based on the director’s story, Kalavoor Ravikumar scripted the movie. Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya, Biju Menon, Samvrutha Sunil, and Bhama played the lead roles. Shafi’s brother Rafi and Mecartin funded this movie.
14) Two Counties (2015)
After 101 Weddings, Shafi took a break of three years before he made a comeback with Two Countries. Rafi scripted this movie which starred Dileep, Mamta Mohandas, Isha Talwar, Mukesh, Aju Varghese and many others. This family entertainer emerged as a huge blockbuster and is said to have done a business of over Rs 50 crores.
15) Sherlock Toms (2017)
Biju Menon’s Sherlock Toms promises to be yet another fun from Shafi. The movie’s story is penned by Najeem Koya and the dialogues are written by Shafi. Sachi, Shafi and Najeem Koya have jointly written the screenplay for this movie. Miya George plays the female lead in the movie which also stars Srinda Arhaan, Salim Kumar, Suresh Krishna, Kalabhavan Shajon and Vijay Raghavan among others. The movie is being produced by Global United Media.
