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Aashiq Abu
Born	Aashiq Abu (1978-04-12) 12 April 1978 (age 46) Edapally, Kochi, India
Occupation	Film director

Aashiq Abu (born April 12, 1978) is an Indian film director, producer, and ad film maker. He has directed feature films in Malayalam that were well received both critically and commercially. His films have covered various genres, mainly themes with social relevance. The topics that he chose to film had sociocultural importance, and were highly acclaimed in the Indian film industry.

After working as an assistant director to Kamal, Aashiq Abu made his directorial debut with Daddy Cool which was moderately received. His second film Salt N' Pepper was a great success and is considered to have marked a new era in Malayalam cinema. He followed suit with 22 Female Kottayam, a much controversial rape and revenge film. Having won awards for his contribution towards cinema with fresh and new topics, Aashiq Abu's works are novel and known for its creative expertise. He was a participant in student political movements in college. He is the founder of OPM (OPen your Mouth) Cinemas, a production house which makes ad films and movies.

Early life

Aashiq Abu was born in Kochi, Kerala. His Father C. M. Abu, and Mother Jameela Abu, were settled in Edappally (Kochi, Kerala). Aashiq Abu completed his school education from SRV High School, Kochi. Since childhood, Aashiq was inclined towards art, literature and painting. His passion for creativity facilitated him to take up arts on a serious note. From politics, literature and more, Aashiq Abu was full-fledged in the public eye since he was young.

Arts and Student Movement

As a pre-degree (equivalent to the present higher secondary) student at Maharajas College, he was elected to the Students' Union, and was a union member for four consecutive years.

He later joined Maharajas College, one of the leading arts colleges in South India for his as well. In the first year of his degree course, he was the Student Editor for his college magazine which won the Malayala Manorama Chief Editor's Trophy for the 'Best College Magazine in Kerala'. It also won the Vaikom Muhammad Basheer Award instituted by the Bankmen's Club of Calicut, and Mathrubhumi Study Circle Award. He was the member of the College Drama team at the yearly University Youth festival in his college. During his Chairmanship, the Students' Union organized an International Film Festival at the College for the first time in many years.

During his post graduation course (in Islamic History), Aashiq Abu devoted most of his time to artistic pursuits. Along with his friend Subhash, he directed a campus film Manasariyathe, an exploration and expression of a rich campus experience that revealed the creative potential of many students and former students of the college.

He later went on to become the General Secretary and the Union Chairman during his graduation period. During his tenure in Maharajas College, Aashiq Abu did much to sustain the vibrant cultural atmosphere of Maharaja's College, especially to stimulate a sophisticated appreciation of cinema and theatre. He also directed music videos Shalabham and Maagham, which were noticed for its freshness and newness in concept and technical mastery.

Film career

After completing his Master's degree in Islamic History, Aashiq Abu had the opportunity to work under renowned Malayalam film director Kamal. He worked as Kamal's assistant Director for about five years, and hence stepped into the wide world of Cinema full-fledged. Aashiq Abu chased his dreams to bring out his directorial venture with Daddy Cool in the year 2009. The film received mixed to positive reviews and was deemed as a family entertainer in 2009. With a good initial collection, the movie sustained to become a hit. After Daddy Cool, Aashiq Abu was known in the industry as the 'Cool Director'.

Salt N' Pepper was Aashiq Abu's second directorial venture. This film turned out to be a novel experiment in the Malayalam film industry and granted Aashiq Abu 'The Best and Popular Director' awards on various stages. Salt N' Pepper’s Tamil, Telugu and Hindi remake rights have been bought by actor-director Prakash Raj. The film became a super hit at the box office, running for more than 100 days. The movie was considered one of the biggest hits of the year. Salt N' Pepper sparked an opening for a new wave in Malayalam cinema.

22 Female Kottayam was Aashiq Abu's venture which was released in April 2012. The film was a remarkable success both critically and commercially. This film has presented Aashiq Abu with another brand image; one of 'The new generation Cinema Director'.

Da Thadiya is Aashiq Abu’s next movie, which again deals with a novel theme and diverse approach in script, as well as in technical aspects too. The movie is expected to hit theaters in December 2012.

Ad films

Aashiq Abu has done ad films for giants like Joyalukkas group, Mathrubhumi, Panasonic, Lulu Group, Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, and Club 7. The ads that he created for Shama Curry Powder, Al Ahalia Money Exchange, Mafatlal School Uniforms, Colombo Umbrellas, Al-Salama Super Specialty Eye Hospital, Teltron Lamps, Platinum Plus Shirts and Devi Sea Foods Ltd. were noticed for their directorial expertise. His short film, 'Lost in Bangalore' for Mathrubhumi, was awarded the best corporate film, at more than one occasion.

OPM (OPen your Mouth) Cinemas led by Aashiq Abu is a production house launched in October 2012, and is bound to make ads and films that are different and bold. Under the leadership of Aashiq Abu, OPM Cinemas will be lead through an era of innovation and success putting itself on the cutting edge of an industry that's experiencing rapid change.

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 bagged 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. 22 Female Kottayam won him the Mohan Raghavan Award for Best Director in 2012.

Filmography

References

1. "22 Female Kottayam Movie Review"
2. ^ "Bold and TRENDY"

External links

• Official blog
• Aashiq Abu at IMDb

Template:Persondata

• 1978 births
• Malayali people
• Indian film directors
• Malayalam film directors
• Living people