Quick Facts
Biography
Aashiq Abu (born April 12, 1978) is an Indian film director, producer, and distributor best known for his work in Malayalam cinema. He started as an ad filmmaker. He made his directional debut with Daddy Cool (2009). He is best known for his films Salt N' Pepper (2011) and 22 Female Kottayam (2012). He produces and distributes under the banner OPM and OPM Dream Mill Cinemas. He is the director of Papaya Media Designs Pvt Ltd and Dream Mill Cinemas and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, he used his name Asiq Punnakkaparambil Aboo which is his real name for registration process.
Personal life
Aashiq Abu was born in Edappally, Kerala to C. M. Abu, and Jameela Abu. Aashiq Abu completed his school education from 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.
Aashiq married actress Rima Kallingal on November 1, 2013, in a simple function held in Kakkanad Registration office, Kochi.
Film career
After working as an assistant director to Malayalam film director Kamalfor about five years, Aashiq 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. Aashiq Abu has also done a short film, 'Lost in Bangalore' for Mathrubhumi. His latest film is Rani Padmini featuring Manju and Rima.
Ad films
Aashiq Abu has done ad films for Joyalukkas group, Mathrubhumi, Panasonic, Lulu Group, Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, Media One TV and Club 7. OPM (OPen your Mouth) Cinemas led by Aashiq Abu is a production house launched in October 2012. In 2015, Aashiq Abu had been hired by UAE exchange group to direct their ad campaign starring Malayalam actors Jayasurya and Fahad Fasil.
Awards and recognitions
Salt N' Pepper, won him the Best Director and/or Popular Director awards on various stages. Apart from these, the film also received awards in various other categories at the 2011 Asianet, Surya, Vanita, Mathrubhumi and Asia Vision Film Awards, and made the top notch news in many media and press reviews. It also won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film. He won the Mohan Raghavan Award for Best Director in 2012 for 22 Female Kottayam.
Filmography
As director
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Daddy Cool | |
| 2011 | Salt N' Pepper | Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film Asiavision Movie Award for Best Family Movie Mathrubhumi Film Award for Best Path Breaking Movie of the Year Amrita Film Award for Best Film |
| 2012 | 22 Female Kottayam | Mohan Raghavan Award for Best Director Nominated—SIIMA Award for Best Director Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Director |
| 2012 | Da Thadiya | |
| 2013 | Anchu Sundharikal | Segment: Gauri |
| 2013 | Idukki Gold | |
| 2014 | Gangster | Under his own production house OPM Media Mill. |
| 2015 | Rani Padmini | Under the production house Fort Entertainment. |
| 2017 | Untitled Dulquar Salman film |
As producer
| Year | Film | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Gangster | Himself |
| 2016 | Maheshinte Prathikaaram | Dileesh Pothan |
As actor
| Year | Film | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Theevram | Roopesh Peethambaran | Cameo |
| 2013 | Annayum Rasoolum | Rajeev Ravi | Rasool's brother |
| 2014 | Iyobinte Pusthakam | Amal Neerad | P. J. Antony |