Once upon a time there lived a young man called Asif Ali who lived and breathed movies. He tried to catch all movies regardless of genre that hit the screens. While at first he went to the movies to see his favourite stars on screen, soon he began to nurture dreams of seeing himself on screen one day; the movies turned teacher, a way for him to learn the nuances of acting. However, the closest Asif came to seeing himself on screen was as a VJ of a programme on Indiavision.
But then, (in a twist from the usual fairy tale godmother) a godfather appeared. He gave Asif what he wanted – a role in his movie Ritu . The role was an unconventional one however; Asif had to play a gay character. And though he was hesitant to play the role, as it was perhaps the first of its kind in Malayalam cinema, the thought of being a possible first to play such a role appealed to him. He played the role and won accolades for his histrionics.
And so, the young man with the rugged good looks who was turned down by many film directors for not being tall enough, not having the right gait, not hero material enough… became a rising star. The story continues.
“I never expected my character in Shyamprasad's movie Ritu to go down well with the audience. The part where I had to flirt with Vinay was tough for me to do. Shyamprasad sir, who knew how nervous I was, said: “Just imagine it is a hot babe sitting in front of you.” While I thought that scene would earn me brickbats, actually it turned out well and people have been generous with praise for that scene,” says Asif who is also receiving rave reviews for his role in Kadha Thudarunu . A Sathyan Anthikad movie, Kadha Thudarunu has Asif romancing Mamta Mohandas.
“I was nervous at the thought of romancing Mamta. I mean I have no problem flirting with girls, but on screen? Mamta was a sport and helped me through the scenes,” laughs the affable 24-year-old. The role in the movie also has the actor playing a father. “I was flattered when Sathyan sir offered me the role. It showed he had faith that I could pull off such a role.”
At theatres
Coming up next for Asif is Sibi Malayil's Apoorva Ragam , which released on Friday. “It is a campus love story with action in it. Nithya Menon and Nishaan star in the movie too. I play Tommy, a slightly eccentric youth who will do anything for his friends. I get to do some cool stunts taught by stunt master Thyagarajan in this movie. I also get to shake my leg a bit,” says Asif.
He admits his parents, M.P. Shoukath Ali and Molly Shoukath Ali, were not too keen on him joining the film industry at first. “But they have come around now and have accepted my decision.”
The actor who did his Bachelors in Business Administration from Marion College, Kuttikanam, also has Best of Luck where he reunites with Ritu co-star Rima Kallingal on screen. “More than chemistry, it is the bond of friendship Rima and I share that comes across on screen. I play a slightly comic character in the movie. Rima, a shopaholic like myself, and I often go shopping together,” says the Kochi-based Asif who says he doesn't mind spending hours at a stretch to find “the right clothes or accessories.”
He says: “I love shopping for sunglasses, shoes, clothes, watches… I take the trouble to go to Bangalore and Kozhikode in search of them. Do you know the best place to shop for shoes is Kozhikode?”
The actor, who could probably give the hosts of Highway On My Plate a run for their money if he were to host such a show says: “I am a major foodie and ‘travelholic.' I don't mind travelling across towns in search of good food. You can often find me driving down from Kochi to Palakkad (for dosas) or Kannur (for their ethnic snacks).”
He also makes it a point to watch a movie a day, “usually while I am having dinner.” Having watched most of the movies released by the film directors he has worked with, he often discusses the scenes from the movies with them. “These directors are a mine of information and I love asking them about their experiences on sets and why they shot a particular scene the way they did,” says Asif who adds that he gets emotional while watching sad scenes.
Although he did learn to play the violin for a month or so, Asif says he is not musically gifted. A bathroom singer, he says though he does not have a melodious voice, he does not mind singing in a crowd. “I don't think my voice is bad enough to chase them away,” he laughs.
The young actor is now looking forward to the start of the shoot of Rajesh R. Pillai's Traffic , a road movie, where he stars alongside Srinivasan, Vineeth Srinivasan and Kunchacko Boban. He also has Mithram , a movie directed by Bharatan's son Sidharth. Says Asif on how he picks his roles on the big screen: “I try to select roles I know I can do justice to. Also being a movie buff, I know what kind of roles will click with the audience. I do not want people to exit a movie hall saying “Asif was okay in the role but X would have portrayed the character better.” And, so to borrow a line from Om Shanthi Om ‘ Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost .'
Food note
Although it was a tough task for him to choose his favourite eateries, Asif managed to pick a top three and also listed what's best at these restaurants. Do note that the third one, his mom's kitchen, is by invite only
Zains Hotel, Kozhikode
Unnakaya, Muttamala…
Tandoor, Kochi
Chicken Chettinadu
Home sweet home, Thodupazha
Mom's biriyani, manga meen curry, chakka kurru mezhukavarutti…
