# Aashiq Abu

Aashiq Abu (born 12 April 1978) is an Indian film director, producer, cinematographer, actor, and distributor, who works in Malayalam cinema. He is best known for his films such as Daddy Cool (2009), Salt N' Pepper (2011), 22 Female Kottayam (2012), Idukki Gold (2013), Mayaanadhi (2017) and Virus (2019). Abu is often known for his collaboration with screenwriters Syam Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair.
Abu produces and distributes under the banner OPM and OPM Dream Mill Cinemas. OPM produced Dileesh Pothan's directional debut Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.

## Personal life

Aashiq Abu was born in Edappally, Kochi, Kerala to C. M. Abu, and Jameela Abu. Aashiq Abu completed his school education at SRV High School, Kochi. As a pre-degree student at Maharajas College, he was elected to the Students' Union and was a union member for four consecutive years. He married actress Rima Kallingal on 1 November 2013, in a simple function held in Kakkanad Registration office, Kochi.
Aashiq Abu has been part of Anbodu Kochi, a Facebook-based group which works with the local administration, collecting and distributing relief materials in the aftermath of natural disasters. In 2019 November, Kochi Music Foundation of which Aashiq Abu is a part of organised a musical event 'Karuna' in Kochi promising that the proceedings from the event will be donated to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) to help flood victims. There was a delay in Chief Minister's office receiving the funds, sparking a controversy.

## Film career

After working as an assistant director to Malayalam film director Kamal for about five years, Abu made his directorial debut with Daddy Cool in 2009 starring Mammootty. Salt N' Pepper was his second directorial effort. Salt N' Pepper’s Tamil, Telugu and Hindi remake rights was bought by actor-director Prakash Raj. In 2012, he directed 22 Female Kottayam which was followed by Da Thadiya, Gangster and Rani Padmini. Aashiq Abu has also done a short film, Lost in Bangalore for Mathrubhumi. His 2017 release was Mayaanadhi. On 7 June 2019, his latest movie Virus was released. The movie is based on the true events of the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala in 2018.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Director | Producer | Notes |
| 2009 | Daddy Cool | Yes | | |
| 2011 | Salt N' Pepper | Yes | | |
| 2012 | 22 Female Kottayam | Yes | | |
| 2012 | Da Thadiya | Yes | | |
| 2013 | Anchu Sundharikal | Yes | | Anthology (Segment: Gauri) |
| 2013 | Idukki Gold | Yes | | |
| 2014 | Gangster | Yes | Yes | |
| 2015 | Rani Padmini | Yes | | |
| 2016 | Maheshinte Prathikaaram | | Yes | Directed by Dileesh Pothan |
| 2017 | Mayaanadhi | Yes | Yes | |
| 2018 | Ee.Ma.Yau | | Yes | Directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery |
| 2019 | Virus | Yes | Yes | |
| 2020 | Halal Love Story | | Yes | Directed by Zakariya Mohammed |
| 2021 | Aarkkariyam | | Yes | Directorial debut of Sanu Varghese |
| 2021 | Aanum Pennum | Yes | | Anthology film, (Segment: Rani) |
| 2021 | Bheemante Vazhi | | Yes | Directed by Ashraf Hamza |
| 2022 | Naaradan | Yes | Yes | |
| 2023 | Neelavelicham | Yes | Yes | Adaptation of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's story |
| 2024 | Rifle Club | Yes | Yes | |

### As actor

| Year | Film | Director | Notes |
| 2006 | Rappakal | Kamal | As a 'Photographer' |
| 2012 | Theevram | Roopesh Peethambaran | Cameo as himself |
| 2013 | Annayum Rasoolum | Rajeev Ravi | Rasool's brother Hyder |
| 2014 | Iyobinte Pusthakam | Amal Neerad | P. J. Antony |
| 2017 | Parava | Soubin Shahir | Police Sub Inspector |
| 2022 | C/o56APO | Anoop Oommen | Mukhlis Azad |
| 2023 | 2018 | Jude Anthany Joseph | Party Member |

### As cinematographer

| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
| 2024 | Rifle Club | Himself | |
| 2025 | Lovely † | Dileesh Nair | |

## Awards

| Year | Film | Award | Category | Notes |
| 2012 | 22 Female Kottayam | Mohan Raghavan Award | Best Director | |
| 2016 | Maheshinte Prathikaaram | 64th National Film Awards | Best Feature Film in Malayalam | Award shared with Dileesh Pothan |
| 2016 | Maheshinte Prathikaaram | Kerala State Film Awards | Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value | Award shared with Dileesh Pothan |
| 2016 | Maheshinte Prathikaaram | Filmfare Award for Best Film – Malayalam | Best Film | |
| 2016 | Maheshinte Prathikaaram | CPC Cine Awards | Best Film | |
| 2016 | Maheshinte Prathikaaram | Vanitha Film Awards | Best Film | Award shared with Dileesh Pothan |
| 2016 | Maheshinte Prathikaaram | Asianet Film Awards | Critics Award for Best Film | |
| 2017 | Mayanadi | Padmarajan Award | Best Film | Award shared with Syam Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair |
| 2019 | Virus | Jagaran Film Festival | Best Indian Feature Film | |
| 2019 | Virus | Critic's Choice Film Awards | Best Director | |
| 2019 | Virus | CPC Cine Awards | Best Director | |