15 Fahadh Faasil Movies That Would Leave You Spellbound

Let me be completely honest. This is not just another “must-watch movie/web-series list article”. This is a narrative journey of my love for this actor I discovered quite recently and simply can’t get enough of him. Just in the span of a few weeks, I was introduced to a gem with chameleon-like abilities to transform into any character, got completely awestruck and fell head over heels in love.

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 my top 15 favourite Fahadh Faasil movies that made me the fangirl I am today. My already existing love for Malayalam cinema heightened to another level, thanks to Fahadh!

1. C U Soon (2020)

This was the first time I noticed Fahadh. Although he played the protagonist’s cousin, his screen presence stayed with me. 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!

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 the film where I witnessed 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, was good enough to make me feel weak by the knees! That’s all he needed to do. Just look!

3. Kumbalangi Nights (2019)

After getting all fuzzy with the Varathan’s “hero”, imagine my reaction to the eccentric Shammy who 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 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 best performance of his career. Hands down! His energy, his submission to the character, his powerful representation of Viju on screen is pure gold. The sequences where he gets on the stage and speaks using every cell in his body, give major goosebumps. I couldn’t help being reminded of Leonardo di Caprio in The Wolf of Wall Street as the feeling was 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 that draws me is its simple yet powerful stories. And I have always loved 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! Yet again, I was like a teenager in love!

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; 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 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.

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 visualized 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. 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. 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!).

He 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. 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 for me, Fahadh’s character stays for a long time!

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 FaFa fans!

14. Vikram (2022)

Three names: Fahadh Faasil, Kamal Hassan, Vijay Sejupathi. I hardly think we need more! This was one of the most looked-forward-to films of 2022, and for the right reasons. 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 the year and this film is probably the first of its kind made in the country. 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 citing 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. Aavesham

Aavesham is a full-blown action comedy-drama that showcases Fafa in his gangsta best! Unapologetic, witty, violent and 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 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!

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 (January 2025)

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

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. 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!

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

Cover Image Source: LetsOtt