Asif Ali @ 39: 9 films that solidify his status as one of Malayalam cinema’s finest actors

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Nonetheless, it needs to be remembered that his career is also the embodiment of the adage “Rome was not built in a day” and from the very beginning, he has persistently tried to hone his craft, eventually reaching the stature he enjoys today. As Asif Ali basks in the success of Rekhachithram, here are nine of his best films (listed chronologically), where his depictions underscore why he is one of the finest actors in Malayalam cinema now.

Traffic

Although Asif delivered a solid performance in his debut film Ritu (2009), he couldn’t maintain that success in his subsequent projects. However, Traffic (2011) — a groundbreaking film that reshaped the course of the Malayalam industry and heralded a new wave — was one of the first to reveal his untapped potential. The gripping road thriller, driven by a taut screenplay and an ensemble cast of seasoned actors, proved that the right filmmaker could bring out the best in him. Despite being relatively new to the craft, Asif Ali displayed impressive control over his performance, effectively conveying the film’s mounting tension, high stakes and race-against-time nature through his body language, expressions and voice.

Ozhimuri

After a string of unremarkable performances, Asif truly came into his own with a standout portrayal of a vulnerable and sensitive young man in the period drama Ozhimuri (2012). Playing a character caught between his ageing parents, who seek a divorce after years of marriage, while also penning his own love story, Asif delivered a deeply compelling performance. He brought remarkable subtlety to the role and that too within a narrative brimming with cultural ethos and set in a bygone era.

Nirnayakam

While maintaining a stoic expression for most of the screen time might seem simple, it is actually far more challenging, as it requires conveying emotions just as effectively as any other character but with minimal outward expressions. Nirnayakam (2015) proved that Asif Ali could pull off this as well, delivering a sharp performance as a less-expressive young man entangled in a legal battle for human rights. Instead of resorting to complete stoicism, he struck the right balance, ensuring the character communicated well despite its restraint.

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Adventures of Omanakkuttan

In his early films, Asif’s performances were often marred by excessive loudness and his struggle to convey even basic emotions with subtlety. However, he gradually improved and by the time he starred in Rohith VS’ Adventures of Omanakuttan (2017), his growth as an actor was evident. He delivered an impressive performance as a character with multiple identities who later experiences memory loss, leading to his life spiralling out of control. His effortless on-screen chemistry with Bhavana — seen in several other movies too — proved to be an asset here as well, enhancing the film’s impact.

Uyare

In Uyare (2019), Asif Ali did not play just a random villain but one who is pure evil, unworthy of even a shred of sympathy. While he often infused charm into his roles, making them likeable, he brought his A-game to Uyare, ensuring that his character of an acid attacker evoked no sympathy, but without exaggerating his vileness. The brilliance of his performance lay in the subtle yet effective way he conveyed the character’s grey, even in mundane moments, using only his expressions and body language to radiate pure villainy.

Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha

Despite its deeply problematic depiction of marital rape, Nissam Basheer’s Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha (2019) won audiences over largely due to Asif’s honest and exceptional performance as a naive farmer, who has never been in a romantic relationship and doesn’t fully understand the need for companionship. His portrayal of the character, who enters marriage blindly and makes one wrong step after another until everything reaches an irreparable point, was so heartfelt and his keen attention to both the internal and external details of the role highlighted the actor’s immense potential.

Kuttavum Shikshayum

As a police officer grappling with the guilt of a past crime, yet needing to continue his duties, no matter how risky, Asif Ali turned heads in Rajeev Ravi’s Kuttavum Shikshayum (2022). The police procedural, which steered clear of melodrama and commercial tropes, showcased Asif’s mastery of a controlled performance, where he never overshadowed the narrative but remained an inseparable part of it, much like a lighthouse in a stormy sea, where both enhanced one another’s impact.

Asif Ali in Kishkindha Kandam. (Credit: Facebook/@ActorAsifAli)

Kooman

Asif Ali once again showcased his expertise in portraying morally ambiguous characters in Jeethu Joseph’s Kooman (2022). Unlike typical grey roles, the actor’s cop character here was defined by immense ego and a willingness to go to any lengths, committing crimes if needed, to avenge those who offended or humiliated him. Even in his smiles, Asif Ali conveyed a sense of menace and the clear contrast between his performances as cops in Kooman and Kuttavum Shikshayum highlighted his significant growth as an actor.

Kishkindha Kandam

There’s a scene in Kishkindha Kandam where Asif Ali’s character enters a mortuary to check if the body of a little boy found by the police belongs to his missing son. As he approaches the body, his face brims with intense, unspoken emotion and he tears up. However, he confirms that it’s not his son. On first viewing, one might assume his reaction stems from the dread of confirming his son’s death, but it’s only at the end, when the suspense is unveiled, that the true depth of his emotions and tears becomes clear. Once revealed, we can’t help but appreciate Asif Ali’s masterful performance. In fact, revisiting the film or reflecting on each moment featuring Asif’s character reveals the intricate layers he brought to the role, making it one of his finest performances.

Honourable Mentions:

* Honey Bee

* Apothecary

* Anuraga Karikkin Vellam

* Virus

* Rorschach

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