Director

Anwar Rasheed

Anwar Rasheed is a Kerala-born filmmaker who's carved out an impressive career juggling both direction and production since 2005. His debut, Rajamanikyam, set the tone for what would become his signature blend of action and comedy, with films like Chotta Mumbai and Annan Thambi proving he had a solid grip on entertaining audiences. But he proved there was more to him than just laughs and thrills when Ustad Hotel dropped in 2012—a heartfelt drama that snagged the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, cementing his credibility as a filmmaker with range. Through his production house Anwar Rasheed Entertainments, he's become a mastermind behind some of Malayalam cinema's most celebrated hits, including the cult favorites Bangalore Days and Premam. Rasheed's style is refreshingly contemporary—he knows how to blend humor, heart, and high-stakes storytelling without feeling forced or preachy. His work has consistently pushed Malayalam cinema into fresher territory, whether he's directing or producing, and films like Parava showcase his willingness to take creative risks. The guy's basically become a tastemaker in Malayalam film, proving that commercial success and artistic credibility don't have to be mutually exclusive.