Abdul Hameed Muhammed Fazil (born 4 February 1949), known mononymously as Fazil, is an Indian film director, film producer, screenwriter and actor who works in Malayalam cinema, in addition to directing a handful of Tamil films. He made his directorial debut with the 1980 film Manjil Virinja Pookkal.[2]
His father wanted him to be a doctor, but in school and college, extracurricular activities dominated his time.[3] He wrote plays and staged them with his friends; Nedumudi Venu was his college mate while he was in S.D. College, Alleppey, and this group was perhaps the first mimicry team that entertained crowds.[3] "I used to mimic stars like Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Sivaji Ganesan and Govindankutty."[3] He completed his graduate and post-graduate degrees in economics from the department of economics, S.D. College Alappuzha .[3]
Film career
Since the early 1980s, Fazil has directed 31 movies. His freshman film was in the Malayalam film done with Manjil Virinja Pookkal, produced by Navodaya Appachan, which was also Mohanlal's first movie.[3] Fazil has a knack for spotting talent. He introduced some of the biggest names in films in South India:[2]
With numerous Malayalam films, as well as several Tamil films and one Telugu film, Fazil has won the most number of State awards for the best film with popular appeal and aesthetic value.[3]
Personal life
Fazil has two sons, Fahadh Faasil and Farhaan Faasil, and two daughters. Fahadh and Farhaan are both actors working primarily in the Malayalam film industry.[4]
