Few careers in Malayalam cinema are as unlikely — or as inspiring — as Soubin Shahir’s. He spent years as an assistant director before a small comic role made him a familiar face. He went on to win a Kerala State Film Award, direct a well-loved film and co-produce one of the biggest hits in Malayalam history. This guide to the best Soubin Shahir movies covers every side of his career.
Quick Profile
- Born: 12 October 1983, Fort Kochi, Kerala
- Started as: Assistant director
- Breakout role: PT master Shivan in Premam (2015)
- Directed: Parava (2017)
- Major award: Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for Sudani from Nigeria (2018)
- Biggest hit: Manjummel Boys (2024), as actor and co-producer
Table of Contents
Early Life and Behind-the-Scenes Years
Soubin grew up in Fort Kochi, the historic coastal neighbourhood whose streets, accents and humour would later shine through in his work. His father, Babu Shahir, worked in the film industry as a production controller, and Soubin entered cinema through the back door — as an assistant director. He worked under filmmakers such as Fazil, Siddique, Rajeev Ravi and Amal Neerad, learning the craft for over a decade before acting became his main career.
The 10 Best Soubin Shahir Movies
1. Sudani from Nigeria (2018)
Zakariya Mohammed’s heart-warming film about a football team manager in Malappuram who cares for an injured Nigerian player (Samuel Abiola Robinson) gave Soubin his first lead role. His warm, funny and deeply human performance as Majeed won him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor, shared with Jayasurya. Read our list of Malayalam sports movies.
2. Kumbalangi Nights (2019)
Madhu C. Narayanan’s modern classic follows four brothers in a fishing village near Kochi. Soubin’s Saji — the eldest brother struggling with grief and depression — delivered one of the most moving scenes in recent Malayalam cinema, when he finally breaks down and asks for help.
3. Manjummel Boys (2024)
Chidambaram’s survival thriller about friends from Kochi trying to rescue one of their own from the Guna Caves became the highest-grossing Malayalam film at the time. Soubin played Kuttan, the friend who goes down into the cave, and was also a Manjummel Boys producer through his banner Parava Films. Read our Manjummel Boys OTT guide.
4. Premam (2015)
As PT master Shivan, whose awkward crush on Malar provides comic relief, Soubin became instantly recognisable. A small role, but the one that changed his career. Read our Premam review.
5. Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016)
Dileesh Pothan’s slice-of-life classic gave Soubin the role of Crispin, the hero’s young assistant. His natural comedy perfectly suited the film’s realistic tone.
6. Parava (2017) – as director
Soubin’s directorial debut, about two boys in Mattancherry who race pigeons, starred Amal Shah and Govind V. Pai, with Dulquer Salmaan in an extended special role. Its vivid portrait of Kochi’s old town won strong praise.
7. Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 (2019)
Ratheesh Balakrishna Poduval’s sci-fi comedy cast Soubin as an engineer who brings a robot home to care for his stubborn father (Suraj Venjaramoodu). Funny, touching and original.
8. Ambili (2019)
Johnpaul George’s gentle road film, in which Soubin played a simple, childlike man on a cycling journey, showed his ability to play innocence without caricature.
9. Vikrithi (2019)
Emcy Joseph’s drama, inspired by a real incident, cast Soubin as Sameer, a man who carelessly shares a photo of a stranger on social media, and Suraj Venjaramoodu as the man whose life it upends. A thoughtful film about online shaming.
10. Coolie (2025)
Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Tamil action film starring Rajinikanth introduced Soubin to a huge pan-Indian audience. His role as Dayal and his dance in the popular song “Monica” made him a talking point well beyond Kerala.
Soubin Shahir Movies at a Glance
| Year | Film | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Premam | Actor (PT Shivan) | Alphonse Puthren |
| 2016 | Maheshinte Prathikaaram | Actor (Crispin) | Dileesh Pothan |
| 2017 | Parava | Director | Soubin Shahir |
| 2018 | Sudani from Nigeria | Lead (Majeed) | Zakariya Mohammed |
| 2019 | Kumbalangi Nights | Actor (Saji) | Madhu C. Narayanan |
| 2019 | Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 | Lead | Ratheesh Balakrishna Poduval |
| 2024 | Manjummel Boys | Actor (Kuttan), co-producer | Chidambaram |
| 2025 | Coolie (Tamil) | Actor (Dayal) | Lokesh Kanagaraj |
What Makes Soubin Shahir Unique
Authenticity
Soubin’s Kochi dialect, body language and timing feel completely real. He rarely seems to be “acting”, which makes his characters instantly believable.
Comedy with sadness underneath
His best characters — Majeed, Saji, Kuttan — are funny on the surface but carry pain and loneliness. That combination makes his performances memorable.
A filmmaker’s understanding
Years as an assistant director gave him a deep understanding of how scenes are built. As an actor he serves the story, and as a director and producer he knows what makes a film work.
From character actor to lead
Soubin does not fit the traditional hero mould, yet several Soubin Shahir films with him in the lead have succeeded. His rise reflects how Malayalam cinema values performance over image.
Soubin’s Role in the Malayalam New Wave
Many Soubin Shahir movies on this list — Maheshinte Prathikaaram, Sudani from Nigeria, Kumbalangi Nights — are considered key works of the Malayalam new wave, which favoured realism, local settings and everyday characters. Soubin was part of that movement as an actor, a director and later a producer. Explore more in our history of Malayalam cinema.
Where to Start With Soubin Shahir Movies
Begin with Sudani from Nigeria, the film that proved he could carry a story as a lead. Follow it with Kumbalangi Nights for his most emotionally powerful work, then Manjummel Boys to see him in a big crowd-pleaser.
If you enjoy offbeat comedies, Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 is a must. For a sense of Soubin Shahir films as a director, watch Parava, which captures the lanes and rooftops of Mattancherry with real affection.
| If you like | Watch |
|---|---|
| Feel-good drama | Sudani from Nigeria |
| Family and emotion | Kumbalangi Nights |
| Survival thrillers | Manjummel Boys |
| Quirky comedy | Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 |
| Coming-of-age | Parava |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Soubin Shahir’s breakout role?
His role as PT master Shivan in Premam (2015) made him widely recognised.
Which film did Soubin Shahir direct?
He directed Parava (2017).
Did Soubin Shahir win a State award?
Yes, he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for Sudani from Nigeria, shared with Jayasurya.
Did Soubin Shahir produce Manjummel Boys?
Yes. As a Manjummel Boys producer, he co-produced the film through Parava Films and also acted in it.
Was Soubin in Rajinikanth’s Coolie?
Yes, he played Dayal in Coolie (2025).
Conclusion
From assistant director to award-winning actor, filmmaker and producer, the best Soubin Shahir movies trace one of Malayalam cinema’s most remarkable journeys. Whether he is the comic sidekick, the grieving brother or the Manjummel Boys producer backing a risky survival story, Soubin Shahir films carry a warmth that is hard to fake. For more, see Soubin Shahir on Wikipedia.
