Every generation of Malayalam cinema has a young actor who seems to speak directly for it. For today’s Gen-Z audience, that actor is Naslen. Starting with a scene-stealing role in a school comedy, he became a box office lead with Premalu and has since appeared in some of the biggest hits of recent years. This guide to the best Naslen movies traces his rapid rise, explains what makes his performances work and suggests where new viewers should start.
Quick Profile
- Full name: Naslen K. Gafoor
- Born: 11 June 2000, Kodungallur, Thrissur, Kerala
- Debut: Thanneer Mathan Dinangal (2019)
- Breakthrough lead: Premalu (2024)
- Recent hits: Alappuzha Gymkhana and Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025)
Table of Contents
Early Life and Debut
Naslen grew up in Kodungallur in Thrissur district. He was a college student when he landed a role in Girish A.D.’s debut film Thanneer Mathan Dinangal (2019). His character Melvin, a cheerful, chatty schoolmate, was a small part, but his comic timing made him one of the film’s most quoted characters. That began a long, fruitful partnership with director Girish A.D.
Credited as Naslen K. Gafoor, he played Melvin like a real classmate rather than a written character, a naturalness he carried into later roles.
The 10 Best Naslen Movies
1. Premalu (2024)
As Sachin, a heartbroken young man who moves to Hyderabad and falls for Reenu (Mamitha Baiju), Naslen delivered a performance full of awkward charm and perfect comic timing. The film grossed around ₹136 crore worldwide and turned him into a star. Read our Premalu review and Premalu trailer breakdown.
2. Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025)
In Dominic Arun’s record-breaking superhero film, Naslen played Sunny, the neighbour who becomes entangled in Chandra’s (Kalyani Priyadarshan) mysterious world. His humour balanced the film’s darker fantasy elements.
3. Alappuzha Gymkhana (2025)
Khalid Rahman’s sports comedy about a group of students who take up boxing for grace marks was a Vishu hit. Naslen led the ensemble as Jojo, and the film’s energy connected strongly with young audiences.
4. Thanneer Mathan Dinangal (2019)
The film that started it all. Girish A.D.’s school comedy starring Mathew Thomas and Anaswara Rajan was a surprise hit, and Naslen’s Melvin became a fan favourite.
5. Home (2021)
Rojin Thomas’s family drama about a father (Indrans) struggling with technology gave Naslen a supporting role as the younger son. The film was widely praised and won several awards.
6. Super Sharanya (2022)
Girish A.D.’s second film, a campus comedy starring Anaswara Rajan, again featured Naslen in a memorable supporting role, alongside Mamitha Baiju.
Looking back, this was the first time audiences saw Naslen and Mamitha share the screen. Their easy chemistry here laid the groundwork for Premalu. See our guide to Mamitha Baiju movies for her side of the story.
7. I Am Kathalan (2024)
Girish A.D.’s tech thriller, written by Sajin Cherukayil, cast Naslen as a young man who uses his hacking skills for revenge. It showed a slightly different side of his screen persona.
8. Kuruthi (2021)
Manu Warrier’s intense thriller starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Roshan Mathew included Naslen in a supporting role in a tense, single-location drama.
9. Journey of Love 18+ (2023)
Arun D. Jose’s romantic road comedy gave Naslen one of his first lead roles, as a young man who elopes with his girlfriend.
10. Neymar (2023)
A family comedy about two friends and a dog named Neymar, co-starring Mathew Thomas, his on-screen partner from Thanneer Mathan Dinangal.
Naslen Movies at a Glance
| Year | Film | Director | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Thanneer Mathan Dinangal | Girish A.D. | Debut |
| 2021 | Home | Rojin Thomas | Supporting |
| 2021 | Kuruthi | Manu Warrier | Supporting |
| 2022 | Super Sharanya | Girish A.D. | Supporting |
| 2023 | Journey of Love 18+ | Arun D. Jose | Lead |
| 2023 | Neymar | Sudhi Maddison | Lead |
| 2024 | Premalu | Girish A.D. | Breakthrough |
| 2024 | I Am Kathalan | Girish A.D. | Lead |
| 2025 | Alappuzha Gymkhana | Khalid Rahman | Lead |
| 2025 | Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra | Dominic Arun | Key role |
Where to Start With Naslen Films
New to his work? Match the film to your mood:
| If you want… | Watch |
|---|---|
| A feel-good romantic comedy | Premalu |
| Nostalgic school humour | Thanneer Mathan Dinangal |
| A warm family drama | Home |
| Fantasy and spectacle | Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra |
| Sports and friendship | Alappuzha Gymkhana |
Watching Thanneer Mathan Dinangal and Premalu back to back is the clearest way to see how much he has grown. In the later film he carries emotional scenes and a whole storyline on his own.
Why Gen-Z Loves Naslen
He feels like one of them
Naslen’s characters talk, joke and worry like real young people. They are not heroes in the traditional sense — they get dumped, fail exams and make awkward mistakes. That makes them instantly relatable.
Meme-worthy comedy
Many lines and expressions from Naslen films have become memes and reels, which keeps him constantly visible on social media and helps his films reach younger audiences.
The Girish A.D. partnership
Four films with Girish A.D. — Thanneer Mathan Dinangal, Super Sharanya, Premalu and I Am Kathalan — have created a strong creative partnership. Their shared sense of humour defines a whole style of modern Malayalam comedy.
Smart choices beyond comedy
By joining Lokah and leading Alappuzha Gymkhana, Naslen has avoided being boxed into one type of film.
On-screen pairings
Few young pairs have caught on like Naslen and Mamitha. His scenes with Kalyani Priyadarshan in Lokah showed he can also play the comic foil in a much bigger, darker world — read more in our Kalyani Priyadarshan movies guide.
What’s Next for Naslen
Fans were disappointed when Premalu 2 was called off — Naslen himself confirmed the news in a 2026 interview. Read our Premalu 2 report. Among his announced projects is Amal Neerad’s Bachelor Party D’eux, which, according to reports at the time of writing, has completed filming. Fans searching for the next Naslen new movie should keep an eye on its release. With the Lokah universe expanding, he may also return as Sunny in future chapters. Follow our upcoming Malayalam movies page for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Naslen’s first movie?
Thanneer Mathan Dinangal (2019), directed by Girish A.D.
Which is the best Naslen movie?
Premalu (2024) is his defining film.
Was Naslen in Lokah?
Yes, he played Sunny in Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra (2025).
Where is Naslen from?
He is from Kodungallur in Thrissur district, Kerala.
Is Premalu 2 happening?
No. Naslen confirmed that the sequel has been called off.
What is Naslen’s full name?
His full name is Naslen K. Gafoor, though he is usually credited simply as Naslen.
What is the next Naslen new movie?
Amal Neerad’s Bachelor Party D’eux is among his upcoming releases at the time of writing. Check our upcoming releases page for confirmed dates.
Conclusion
In just a few years, the best Naslen movies have made him the defining young star of his generation. With comedy, romance and fantasy in his filmography, his next steps will be fascinating to watch. For more, see Naslen on Wikipedia.
