Aryadan Shoukath

Aryadan Shoukath (born 4 March 1965) is an Indian politician from the Indian National Congress, currently serving as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Nilambur Assembly constituency. He was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly in the Nilambur Legislative Assembly by-election held on June 19, 2025, defeating M. Swaraj of the CPM.

He is also an award winning screen writer and film producer of Malayalam films.

Early life and education Shoukath was born in Nilambur, in the Malappuram district of Kerala, to Aryadan Muhammed, a prominent Congress leader and former Minister for Electricity and Transport (Government of Kerala) in the Oommen Chandy Ministry, and Mariyumma. His family's involvement in politics had a significant influence on his career path from an early age. He is known to be married with children. He has an active social media presence, including on Instagram. He is a degree holder in Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Zoology from Mar Ivanios College.

He was active in student politics through the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the student wing of the Indian National Congress and became the School leader at Nilambur Government Manavedan High School.

Political career Shoukath has been an active member of the Indian National Congress. He contested the 2005 Kerala local elections and won at Pathippara Gram panchayat election, defeating Prakash Arimbra of CPM. He contested the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election from Nilambur but lost to P.V. Anvar by 11,504 votes. Earlier, he served as chairman of Nilambur municipality and held various local governance positions. He was also the General Secretary of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). In January 2025, he was involved in a public dispute with P.V. Anvar, defending his political standing within the party. In June 2025 by-elections in Kerala, he defeated CPI(M)'s M Swaraj by 11,077 votes to win the Nilambur Assembly constituency.

2025 by-election By political party Election box begin|title=2025 by-election: Nilambur

Film career Shoukath entered the film industry as a producer and screenwriter with the film Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam in 2003, where he critiqued the treatment of girls' education within the Muslim community. This film was not only commercially successful but also critically acclaimed, earning him the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare.