Fahadh Faasil Movies: 18 Must-Watch Films – From Bangalore Days to Vikram

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Let me be completely honest. This is not just another “must-watch movie list”. This is a narrative journey of my love for this actor I discovered in 2020 and never looked back. From Bangalore Days to Vikram to Malayankunju, Fahadh Faasil movies introduced me to a gem with chameleon-like abilities. This guy transforms and gets absorbed into characters seamlessly!

Whether being the protagonist, the “hero’s friend” or one of the many characters in a multi-starrer- Fahadh Faasil manages to catch your eye…and that too just with his eyes (oh those beautiful piercing eyes!!)! It’s remarkable how an actor can express so much using so little of his body. The impact he causes with his craft leaves you wanting for more. And the more you watch him, the deeper your admiration for him gets. He is romantic, eccentric, selfish, clever, ambitious, obsessive, disturbed, sexy…he’s all of this and so much more in his roles. I can’t talk enough about Fahadh Faasil and one blog just won’t do!

So, to make things simpler, let me share the top 18 Fahadh Faasil movies that you must watch if you want to explore the actor’s excellence. My already existing love for Malayalam cinema heightened to another level, thanks to Fahadh- one of India’s most interesting actors today!

1. C U Soon (2020)

This was the first time Fahadh gets noticed on a larger scale during 2020 lockdown. Faasil played the protagonist’s cousin in C U Soon, but like always, his screen presence makes a strong impact. Kevin (Fahadh) helps his cousin Jimmy (Roshan Mathew) to find his missing girlfriend whom he met online and now wants to marry. Apart from the tight script with all the right edge-of-the-seat thriller ingredients, Fahadh’s minimalist yet super-striking expressions steal the show. At least for me, after my first rendezvous, Fahadh had my attention. I was ready for more! If you too are a tight thriller fan, C U Soon is for you.

2. Varathan (2018)

Varathan is a story of a couple living in Dubai who recently move to the girl’s ancestral village estate in Kerala. What starts off as a drama, eventually turns into a thriller, perfectly garnished with some stimulating action sequences! We see some vivid transition in the character of Abin masterfully played by Fahadh. This is also one of those rare films where you can witness Fahadh’s ability to romance passionately using just his eyes. The way he looks at Priya (played by Aishwarya Lekshmi) in the songs “Nee” and “Oduvile Theeyayi”, is good enough to make anyone go weak by the knees! That’s all he needs to do. Just look!

3. Kumbalangi Nights (2019)

Now once you get all fuzzy with the Varathan’s “hero”, get ready for the eccentric Shammy of Kumbhalanghi Nights! Fahadh Faasil as Shammy is chauvinistic with an unpredictable psychotic side. Kumbalangi Nights is to date one of my favourite Malayalam movies, and Fahadh’s portrayal of Shammy is just one of the many reasons behind that. The sheer fact that the same actor can pull off a romantic Abin & an almost repulsive Shammy (perhaps the only hated character played by Fafa!!) with equal conviction, is an undisputable testimony to his genius. Kumbalangi Nights is a story about four brothers and their bitter-sweet relationship with each other and Fahadh is not one of them. But, like I said, he gets your attention for his dazzling versatility!

4. Trance (2020)

Trance tells the story about Viju Prasad who is a motivational speaker, his internal and external journey unfolding with each step in his life. Now that I’ve watched almost all his movies, I can say it without a trace of doubt, Trance showcases Fahadh Faasil’s one of the best performances of his career, if not the best. Hands down! His energy, his submission to the character, his powerful representation of Viju on screen is pure gold. Neither before nor until now, Fahadh faasil has played anything remotely similar to Viju. The sequences where he gets on the stage and speaks using every cell in his body, will give you major goosebumps. It almost reminds you of Leonardo di Caprio in The Wolf of Wall Street as the feeling is quite similar after watching Fahadh in Trance. I was floored and there was absolutely no stopping now!

5. Maheshinthe Prathikaram (2016)

One of the best things about Malalayalam cinema is its simple yet powerful stories. Maheshinthe Prathikaram is also a simple story of a studio photographer, his failure in love, life and career and then inciting incidents revealing certain twists and changes in his life. There are no pretentious dialogues or over-complex pseudo-intellectualism in this movie. A beautiful feel-good Malayalam cinema in a true sense! And Fahadh simply wins over by his innocent and charming representation of Mahesh! Mahesh will bring out the teenager in you!

6. Super Deluxe (2019)

Super Deluxe is a Tamil movie that talks about social stigmas and taboos beautifully cinematized through four parallel stories. Every character has their own set of challenges and all four independent stories are interwoven, being parts of one big plot. If I’m being honest, Vijay Sethupathi who plays an estranged father is the one who takes the cake in Super Deluxe. However, Fahadh Faasil whose newly-wed wife cheats on him with her ex, gives the viewers some super hilarious reaction moments. Super Deluxe is director Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s masterpiece on so many levels. And Fahadh, despite being just one of the many characters makes us feel his presence once again; and quite distinctively too!

7. Njan Prakasham (2018)

Njan Prakashan is the kind of “slice of life film” that you watch on a Sunday afternoon and you will have the feeling that everything in life is going to be alright! Fahadh plays a lazy Prakashan who doesn’t like to work and aims at moving to the U.S. by scheming and scamming. There is a beautiful blend of comedy and emotions in this Sathyan Anthikad directorial and Fahadh does a brilliant job nailing every moment. If you like to watch a flawed protagonist surrounded by colourful characters and touching storytelling, please watch Njan Prakashan.

8. Thondimuthalam Driksakshiyam (2017)

Prasad (Suraj Venjaramoodu) and Sreeja (Nimisha Sajayan) fall in love and set out on their marital journey to begin their new life. While travelling in a bus, a petty thief steals Sreeja’s gold chain and all kinds of unanticipated troubles start rolling in. The premise is simple, but the way the situations have been visualised and dramatised is remarkable. You just feel the need to keep watching it until the end. Now my favourite part- the moment when Sreeja’s chain is being stolen, we see two large mischievous eyes and we know who’s the thief! The whole scene when Fahadh’s character is stealing is fascinating to watch. Director Dileesh Pothan very smartly introduces Fahadh’s eyes first to the audience doing the job, and that’s the most appealing part. The narration is brilliant and Fafa gives you enough reasons to love his performance despite not being the protagonist! His performance in Thondimuthalam Driksakshayam fetched him the National Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2017.

9. Bangalore Days (2014)

Bangalore Days is a story about three cousins who are very close to each other and then reunite at one of their weddings. And yet again, Fahadh Faasil is not one of the three cousins, but the husband of one of the cousins. Sounds pretty uninteresting as a character, right? Well, don’t be fooled by how it sounds and wait for some exciting surprises while you watch the whole movie! Writer-director Anjali Menon does a spectacular job of sketching the characters including Fahadh’s. One of the rare films where you get to see a complete 180 degree twist in the character sketch of Fahadh Faasil! By the end of the film, Fahadh’s character Das becomes my favourite. But hey, watch it for yourself and decide – because I may be biased!

10. North 24 Kaatham (2013)

This, technically is the first Fahadh Faasil movie I ever watched in 2014, but I had no idea who Fahadh was back then. And somehow that “head-over-heels-in-love” situation was nowhere on the horizon. I remembered loving the film and the interesting character that he played, but nothing more. So, I watched it again a few weeks back only to rediscover the brilliance of the movie (and Fahadh!).

Fahadh Faasil plays Hari, an obsessive-compulsive neat-freak software engineer who’s arrogant, finicky, unfriendly and nobody likes him. Hari, while on a train journey, happens to get entwined in an event and is forced to take a detour along with two strangers. The plot is just as intriguing as the stunning landscapes and engaging narration. The subtle yet honest expressions somehow manage to stir something inside that feels real. North 24 Kaatham is a story of human connections, travel and transformation. Director Anil Radhakrishnan Menon brings out the best in each actor and surely knows how to tell a story right! Fahadh won the Filmfare Award (Malayalam) for Best Actor for this one.

11. Irul (2021)

His performance has aged like fine wine over the years. And that’s clearly evident when you watch Fahadh Faasil’s new movies, Irul disappointed fans with its plot. But Fahadh managed to impress us (as expected) with his charming portrayal of Unni. A couple decides to go on a weekend getaway without their phone and gets stuck in a house with a stranger when their car breaks down. And one of them is a killer. Fahadh, Soubin Shahir, and Darshana Rajendran all are super. But somehow, Fahadh’s character stays for a long time! Looking for something to watch on a Friday night with mystery, thriller & psycho vibes, watch Irul.

12. Joji (2021)

I never waited for any movie as I did for Joji. Director Dileesh Pothan’s collaboration with Fahadh after Thondimuthalam was one of the most eagerly awaited films of 2021. I could actually write an exclusive review for Joji. This was arguably Fahadh Faasil’s best performance to date (since Trance). Loosely based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Joji showcases complex family issues treating psychological areas with great finesse. Fahadh exhibited some insane acting nuances with such subtleties in Joji, that my idolisation of this actor went off the roof. He broke all his past records and stunned the audience with his prowess yet again.

13. Malik (2021)

It’s the story of a juvenile criminal Freddy who has been assigned to kill his estranged patriarch Uncle Sulaiman (Fahadh) while he is in prison. This political crime thriller by writer-director Mahesh Narayan exhibits some hard-hitting content with neat visuals. Apart from the brilliant performances by Fahadh, Nimisha Sajayan, and Dileesh Pothan, Malik is quite a journey that takes you to a Godfather or Scarface kind of nostalgia. A full-blown entertainer, it’s a must-watch for crime thriller and FaFa fans!

P.S.: There is a single shot wedding sequence in Malik that’s worth mentioning. Fahadh Faasil’s magnetic delivery as a middle aged don is something you won’t want to miss.

14. Vikram (2022)

Three names: Fahadh Faasil, Kamal Hassan, Vijay Sejupathi. need we say more? This was one of the most looked-forward-to films of 2022, and the first time we see Fahadh Faasil and Kamal Hassan in one film. A perfect Tamil action thriller with a power-packed cast., director Lokesh Kanagaraj won hearts with his smart filmmaking yet again. Fahadh plays a black squad commando whom the police turn to for help in nabbing gangsters. Sharing a space with a stalwart like Kamal Hassan and still leaving a mark on the audience with his signature eye-acting says a lot about the actor. Worth watching on the silver screen for its maximum impact.

Tip: Watch Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Kaithi on Disney+ Hostar before watching Vikram as there are several references.

15. Malayankunju (2022)

Mahesh Narayan and Fahadh collaborate again only to create another brilliant film. Malayankunju is a survival drama that will stir you to the core. I can safely say, that watching Malayankunju has been one of the greatest cinematic experiences of 2022 and this film is probably the first of its kind made in the country. The first kind of Fafa movie too, that you haven’t seen before. The non-linear narrative, the layered representation of situations and the establishment of the psychological aspect through visuals- Malayankunju excels in creating a movie that screams world-cinema. A.R. Rahman’s background score is just the kind of icing we needed on this ‘cake’! Without revealing much I’d only say, watch Malayankunju for Fafa’s excellence…and for the love of cinema! It’s streaming on Amazon Prime Video

16. Paachuvum Albhuthavilakkum (2023)

Paachuvum Albhuthavilakkum precisely means Panchu and his magic lamp. Prashanth a.k.a Panchu played by Faasil is a sweet happy go lucky guy who always seems happy and content. Likes everything, everyone. Of course the movie comes with its own share of turns and consequently unfolds layers of Panchu’s character too. Paachuvum Albhuthavilakkum will remind you of Njan Prakashan at times with its warm and sweet narrative. Watch this Akhil Sathyan directorial if you want to have a nice weekend watch with some surprises along the way.

17. Aavesham (2024)

Aavesham is a full-blown action comedy-drama that showcases Fafa in his gangsta best! Unapologetic, witty, action-packed yet stylish. Writer-director Jithu Madhavan seems to have utilised an interesting spectrum of Fahadh Faasil’s talent through Aavesham. It’s the story of three friends who come to Bangalore for higher studies and get entangled with some seniors. Amidst all this, the boys discover a local gangster Ranga (FaFa) and that’s when the movie becomes a smashing entertainer. Watch the trailer on Youtube and tell me you don’t want to see the film! It’s a must-watch for Fahadh fans…a must-watch for movie fans!

18. Maareesan (2025)

This Tamil movie directed by Sudheesh Shankar is a story of a con man Dhaya (Fahadh Faasil) who accompanies Velayudham (Vadivelu) on his journey with ulterior motives of stealing. However, as the story unfolds viewers experience some unusual events that eventually set a completely different tone of the film. Faasil’s performance along with Vedavelu, create a layered impact. Watch Maareesan for Fahadh faasil and Vedavelu’s internal journeys of the characters.

Fahadh Faasil’s Upcoming Movies

So here are some of the movies that you must keep a check on. I know I’m literally counting days and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to wait! Here is a list and their trailers:

Don’t Trouble The Trouble (late 2026)

Here’s something new: A Telugu fantasy movie starring Fahadh Fasil! I know I can’t wait for this Shashank Yeleti directorial to watch Fahadh in his fantasy debut.

What To Watch If You’re New To Fahadh

If you’re already intrigued by the article and want to start watching Fahadh faasil’s movies, here are some movies for complete beginners and why:

• C U Soon: Super tight edge-of-the-seat thriller just to get you hooked. Sharp editing and smart storyline of C U Soon will leave you wanting for more for sure.
• Kumbhalangi Nights: Fahadh’s brilliant portrayal of a psychotic character and the ensemble cast together make Kumbhalangi Nights one of the most loved Malayalam movies of all time. A dysfunctional family dynamics only add to the flavour.
• Trance: Definitely Fafa’s one of the best performances and it’s hard to take your eyes away from every scene. Watch Trance to witness magic on screen.
• Joji: Fahadh Faasil and Dileesh Pothan join hands to create this extraordinary adaptation of Macbeth. You simply just can’t miss Joji if you are a cinema lover as it will leave you in complete awe of the actor.

I’ve been gorging on regional cinema even before the emergence of online streaming platforms in our country. And Malayalam cinema has been creating some of the crème among Indian films for ages now. And with the introduction of such a spectacular “Artist”, they’ve only raised the bar! I’m just ecstatic that so much content is available everywhere now which gives the rest of the world a chance to experience this side of Indian cinema. And I would highly recommend to watch all fahadh faasil movies in Malayalam with subtitles to get the true taste of the films. I hope Fahadh (and his friends!) keep making more of such incredible cinema that is based on solid stories and has real characters, who are quirky, unique yet relatable. Because at the end of the day, all technology and flawless CGI effects aside, a good story with ace acting portraying interesting, even flawed, imperfect characters is what brings a smile to every cinema lover’s face!

FAQs

• What is Fahadh Faasil’s best movie?

As an actor, Joji, Trance and Aavesham would be arguably Fahadh Faasil’s some of the best movies till date.

• What is Fahadh Faasil’s role in Vikram?

Fahadh plays a black squad commando named Amar in Vikram, whom the police turn to for help in nabbing gangsters. The action packed crime thriller is one of the massively admired Tamil movies for cinephiles and fans alike.

• Is Fahadh Faasil in any Bollywood movies?

Fahadh Faasil hasn’t been a part of any full-length Bollywood movie yet. However, his performances in Pushpa and Pushpa 2 have been widely admired by Bollywood fans.

• What are Fahadh Faasil’s latest movies in 2024–2025?

Aavesham (2024) and Maareesan (2025) are the latest movies of Fafa you can watch. He is versatile and plays vibrant characters in both movies.

• Which Fahadh Faasil movies are on Netflix or Prime?

Here are the movies of Fahadh Faasil you can watch on Netflix/ Prime:

Kumbhalangi Nights on Prime Video

Irul on Netflix

Joji on Prime Video

Aavesham on Prime Video

Trance on Prime Video

Maareesan on netflix

Malankunju on Prime Video

Why don’t you watch Fahadh Faasil Movies and let us know which one is your favourite in the comment section below!

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