Soubin Shahir

Soubin Shahir (born 12 October 1983) is an Indian actor, director and producer who primarily works in Malayalam films. He made his acting debut with Annayum Rasoolum. Following his breakthrough with Premam (2015), he played the lead in Sudani from Nigeria (2018), which won him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor. Soubin's notable roles came with the commercially successful films Kumbalangi Nights (2019) and Manjummel Boys (2024).

Early life

Soubin was born and raised in Fort Kochi,

Career Soubin started his film career as an assistant director in the industry with Fazil's Kaiyethum Doorath (2002) in which he also worked as an actor. He also worked as an assistant director for Siddique's Chronic Bachelor (2003). He assisted directors like Rafi-Mecartin, P. Sukumar, Santhosh Sivan, Rajeev Ravi, and Amal Neerad. He got a breakthrough role with Alphonse Putharen's Premam (2015) where he played the role of a PT teacher. This led to his popularity as an actor in the industry. His popular roles include in films Charlie (2015), Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016), Kali (2016), Darvinte Parinamam (2016), Kammatipaadam (2016), Anuraga Karikkin Vellam (2016), Mayanadhi (2017), Comrade in America – CIA (2017), and Kumbalangi Nights. His first full lead role was in the film Sudani from Nigeria (2018) for which he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.

In 2024, he played the part of Siju David aka "Kuttan" in Manjummel Boys. He also produced the movie. It went on to receive critical acclaim and set several box-office records, becoming the highest grossing Malayalam film, and the first film from the industry to earn more than ₹200 crore. He was arrested on 7 July 2025, in connection with a ₹7 crore financial fraud case related to the film. The arrest was procedural following a summons for questioning, and he was released shortly after on anticipatory bail granted by the Kerala High Court. The case was filed by a UAE-based investor, Siraj Valiyathura Hameed, who alleged that despite investing ₹7 crore under a profit-sharing agreement promising 40% of the film's earnings, he received only a small fraction of the returns after the film's huge commercial success. The police have charged Soubin and his associates with cheating, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds, and the investigation is ongoing.

He is also a partner in Parava Films, a production company that has produced hits like Manjummel Boys.

In 2025, Coolie marked his first full-length role appearance in Tamil cinema. His acting and dancing in the song "Monica" was well received.

Media image Soubin's performance in Kumbalangi Nights is regarded as one of the "100 Greatest Performances of the Decade" by Film Companion.

Personal life

On 16 December 2017, he married his fiancée Jamia Zaheer. Jamia is a marketing professional, based in Kochi. The couple has a son born in May 2019.

Filmography

As actor

As voice actor Year Title Role Notes2023 Valatty Haridas/Karidas

As director +List of films directed Year Title Production company Notes 2017 Parava Anwar Rasheed Entertainments Debut as a director

As producer +List of films produced Year Title Production company Notes 2024 Manjummel Boys Parava Films Debut production

Accolades 2018: Asianet Film Award Special Jury Mention – Udaharanam Sujatha & Parava. 2018: Vanitha Film Award for Best Debut Director – Parava. 2019: Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor – Sudani from Nigeria 2020: Asianet Film Award for Best Actor (Special Jury Mention) – Kumbalangi Nights. 2020: Vanitha Film Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kumbalangi Nights. 2024 : Kerala State Film Award for Best Film - Manjummel Boys 2024 : Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actor - Manjummel Boys

Controversy On July 2024, The Enforcement Directorate is investigating money laundering allegations related to the Malayalam movie Manjummel Boys. A case has been registered, and notices have been issued to the film's producers and actors Soubin Shahir, Babu Shahir, and Shawn Antony.