Asif Ali continues his success streak, with consistent performances, sleeper hits, and roles that defy expectations in Malayalam films.
Published Jan 22, 2025 | 5:31 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 22, 2025 | 6:16 PM
Asif Ali in 'Rekhachithram'. (X)
Malayalam actor Asif Ali is continuing with his success streak from 2024, by delivering a hit this year with Rekhachitram.
On Wednesday, 22 January, two weeks after the release the film collected over ₹50 crore worldwide.
In 2024, he had four releases— Thalavan, Level Cross, Adios Amigo and Kishkinda Kaandam. While all of them had good responses, Thalavan and Kishkinda Kaandam became superhits at the box office. And, he started 2025 with the hit Rekhachithram.
Though he has been in the industry for 15 years, delivering great performances in varied genres, Asif Ali has not been able to land many blockbusters like his contemporaries.
However, what sets him and his films aside is that almost all of them have been sleeper hits. Very recent examples of this are Thalavan and Kishkindha Kaandam.
Biju Menon and Asif Ali in ‘Thalavan’. (Supplied)
For example, Thalavan clashed with Mammootty’s Turbo. While the former had a slow start, it ended up doing well at the box office.
Thalavan is an impressive investigation thriller which has power-packed performances by Asif Ali and Biju Menon as police officers. This is Asif’s fifth collaboration with Jis Joy. Two of their previous films Sunday Holiday (2017) and Vijay Superum Pournamiyum (2019) were superhits.
During an interview with South First, Jis Joy said that Asif is an actor who studies his character and performs well.
Jis Joy elaborated that Asif will make a signature of his own in his characters. This is evident in his films like Kettiyollaanu Ente Maalakha (2017) and Uyare (2019).
Asif Ali in ‘Kishkindha Kaandam’. (Supplied)
In the case of Kishkindha Kaandam, the movie was released along with Tovino Thomas’s Ajayante Randam Moshanam during the Onam festival season.
Despite the high expectations of Tovino’s release, Kishkindha Kaandam had an overwhelming response and did well at the box office.
Asif’s performance in the movie as Ajayan and his combination with veteran actor Vijayaraghavan was appreciated.
Asif Ali’s first release of the year, Rekhachithram, is also receiving a positive response from the audience and has turned out to be a successful venture. The movie, directed by Jofin T Chacko, features a unique theme based on alternate history.
‘Rekhachithram’ is a hit. (X)
In the film, Asif plays Vivek, a police officer investigating a case that took place 40 years ago. Similarly, in Thalavan, Asif portrays a cop, but the two roles are quite different in style.
In Thalavan, he plays a loud and egoistic cop who has a rivalry with the police character played by Biju Menon. However, in Rekhachithram, Asif’s character is more subtle, working to prove his abilities as he’s not having the best time at his workplace. His portrayal of a shrewd policeman collecting evidence and offering insightful interpretations is crucial in solving the case.
Recently, Asif Ali mentioned that he believes luck plays a role in his career, despite hearing people say that “luck doesn’t factor into success.”
Thavalan was a milestone in his career as his previous films—Otta (2023), Kasargold (2023), and A Ranjith Cinema (2023)—didn’t perform well at the box office.
Asif Ali made his debut in Shyamaprasad’s Rithu in 2009. Rithu marked Asif’s entry with a negative role that grabbed attention. His early performances gave the impression that he was here to stay, and he continues to stand strong in the industry.
He followed it up with roles in Sibi Malayil’s Apoorvaragam (2010), Violin (2011), and Unnam (2012). He also collaborated with Sibi Malayil again for Kotthu (2022), with the veteran director praising Asif’s passion and acting skills.
Asif Ali and Suraj Venjaramoodu in ‘Adios Amigo’. (Supplied)
Asif was part of the landmark film Traffic (2011), directed by the late Rajesh Pillai. This film was one of the first to pave the way for new-generation Malayalam cinema, and Asif’s role, alongside Vineeth Sreenivasan, gained significant recognition.
Recently, Asif also expressed his desire to take a break from thrillers and explore feel-good romantic films. Known for his charming roles in romantic comedies.
He has been part of successful films like Salt N Pepper (2012), Honey Bee (2013), Sunday Holiday (2017), Vijay Superum Pournamiyum (2019), and Anuraga Karikkin Vellam (2017). These films helped Asif build a fan base, particularly among family audiences and children.
Asif has also starred in critically and commercially successful films. Ozhimuri (2013), directed by Madhu Pal, was selected for the Indian panorama section of the 43rd International Film Festival of India. With over 80 films to his name, Asif Ali has established himself as a versatile actor.
Asif Ali had also never worried about his image but rather chose to do roles which showcased his acting abilities.
He did films in which he wasn’t the lead actor. He was part of Sapthamashree Thaskara (2014) in which he played the role of a thief along with Prithviraj and other actors.
Asif Ali in ‘Level Cross’. (Supplied)
In Uyare (2018), he played the role of antagonist—an acid attacker— opposite Parvathy Thiruvothu. Similarly, his role as Sleevachan in Kettiyollaanu Ente Malakha (2019) commits marital rape and faces the repercussions of the same.
The above two are examples of how the actor chose risky roles, which a mainstream actor would think twice to do.
Asif also said that he prepares and understands his character before the shooting starts.
The Rekhachitram actor had expressed his desire to do big films and said that he believes that films have to be cinematic and give a full-on theatrical experience.
Asif’s Level Cross (2023), a thriller set in an imaginary land and shot in Tunisia, was a unique experience. His Adios Amigo (2024) was a feel-good drama.
In addition to his main roles, Asif has made several guest appearances in films like Ustad Hotel (2012), Vellimoonga (2014), Unda (2019), Amar Akbar Antony (2015), Indian Rupee (2011), Varshangalku Sesham (2023), and Marivillin Gopurangal (2024).
It was fascinating to see Asif Ali in Mammootty’s Rorschach (2022), where he appeared as a masked man. His face was hidden, and only his eyes were visible. Movie buffs figured out it was Asif before the film crew officially revealed it.
Asif mentioned that Mammootty advised him to take on such roles, as they would aid in his self-evaluation process.
In a recent interview, Asif also revealed that Mammootty helped him understand the dubbing process. Mammootty once advised him not to shout during dialogues and even invited him to watch his dubbing sessions.
His upcoming films include Sarkeet directed by Thamar KV, Abhyanthara Kuttavali and Tiki Taka.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
