Shane Nigam: From competing in a dance reality show as a kid to being the only jack-of-all-trades in Malayalam cinema today

Although he entered the film industry by playing a minor role in the Prithviraj Sukumaran film Thanthonni (2010) and later appeared as a background actor in Amal Neerad’s Anwar the same year, these fleeting roles went unnoticed. Meanwhile, he began to attract attention by being part of short films. While these early works were not particularly remarkable, his very first short film, titled Matinee, which he directed and starred in, gained recognition for its relevant theme and the way it was filmed in the middle of the bustling city of Kochi, amidst large crowds. It was through Matinee that many became aware of his full name, Shane Nigam.

In no time, Amal Neerad cast him in another one of his movies, the road adventure film Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi (2013), but this time in a substantial role, and Shane Nigam, son of mimicry artist and actor Kalabhavan Abi, succeeded in making a mark with his first-ever significant cinematic role itself.

However, over the past 10 years, Shane has faced substantial fluctuations in his professional life, experiencing challenges that even industry veterans of 50 years might not have encountered and courting numerous controversies during this time. Despite these challenges, he currently stands as arguably the industry’s most promising and potent all-rounder.

Though Malayalam cinema has always been fortunate enough to have innumerable amazing actors, including those who predominantly played character/supporting roles, we never really had that many jack-of-all-trades. Although artistes like Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, Balachandra Menon, Sreenivasan and Lal showcased their skills in various aspects of films, encompassing writing, directing and acting, they all faced limitations in one aspect or another. Notably, Mohanlal stood out as the sole all-rounder from the previous generation, excelling in multiple areas and also earning acclaim as one of the greatest actors of all time.

Shane Nigam receives an award from his father Kalabhavan Abi. (Image: Shane Nigam/Facebook)

The situation is similar with the new generation of talents too. Even though artistes like Vineeth Sreenivasan, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Dulquer Salmaan have explored different roles in the film industry, they also face constraints, particularly in their acting abilities. On the other hand, a formidable actor like Fahadh Faasil has exclusively focused on his performance in cinema without exploring other related domains. Amidst this, Shane Nigam has consistently demonstrated his skills in various art forms amalgamated in cinema, apart from achieving an almost-impossible feat of a blockbuster success with Nahas Hidayath’s RDX: Robert Dony Xavier, which grossed over Rs 100 crore.

After receiving recognition with NPCB, Shane illustrated a brief yet impactful performance the same year in Rajeev Ravi’s Annayum Rasoolum, portraying the role of the female lead’s hellion brother. Despite having only limited dialogues, his portrayal left a lasting impression on viewers, while his additional minor role in the same director’s magnum opus Kammatipaadam further bolstered his career.

Shane Nigam with Shruthy Menon in Kismath. (Image: Shane Nigam/Facebook)

Having shown initial glimpses of his untapped potential by then, it did not take Shane much time to land his first lead role. In Shanavas K Bavakutty’s Kismath (2016), an exceptional movie both technically and for the various socially relevant themes it addresses, Shane exhibited his prowess by playing the very layered character with great finesse. Despite being only 21 at the time, Shane displayed a strong ability to deeply understand and portray the intricacies of the character, ensuring his performance harmonised with the movie’s overall tone without becoming excessively theatrical. In Kismath, he adeptly depicted the multiple characteristics of a 23-year-old Muslim youth in a star-crossed relationship with a 28-year-old Scheduled Caste woman, effectively complementing Shruthy Menon’s remarkable portrayal of the female lead character.

Though his next project, Antony Sony Sebastian’s C/O Saira Banu, was not even close to being good, it demonstrated that he could also handle the mainstream cheerful-hero-who-lands-in-trouble archetype and showcased his charming demeanour.

Having shown initial glimpses of his untapped potential by then, it did not take Shane Nigam much time to land his first lead role in Kismath. (Image: Shane Nigam/Facebook)

Shane found his breakthrough in Soubin Shahir’s Parava (2017) as the film skillfully explored various facets of his acting abilities, highlighting his exceptional potential. Portraying a character undergoing a tumultuous emotional journey, transitioning from a happy-go-lucky guy to a reserved youth grappling with the guilt of losing a brotherly figure and ultimately unleashing his inner turmoil on those responsible for his loss, Shane’s portrayal was exemplary. Balancing allure, restraint and intensity as needed in the arc, Shane set a standard for his peers to strive for with his character portrayal.

Meanwhile, his next project, B Ajithkumar’s Eeda (2018), deviated completely from Parava, delving into a daring theme and presenting it remarkably. Set against the backdrop of political violence in Kannur, this raw and rugged romantic film placed two formidable performers, Shane Nigam and Nimisha Sajayan, opposite each other, skillfully bringing out the best in both without resorting to overly loud moments. The film subtly expressed and explored a range of emotions, including love, fury, fear, and more, all done in an understated manner; and Shane portrayed the male lead with the necessary restraint.

The actor knocked it out of the park and established himself as one of the industry’s finest young talents with his exceptional performance in Madhu C Narayanan’s Kumbalangi Nights (2019). Through his brilliant portrayal of a jobless and carefree young man from a dysfunctional family of four brothers, burdened with both individual and collective emotional baggage and unresolved childhood issues, who falls in love with a self-sufficient and sedulous and walking green flag woman, Shane Nigam set a new standard for contemporary screen acting. His adeptness in expressing his character’s various emotions — whether it be romance, longing or sorrow — endeared Shane and his role as Bobby to all.

Anuraj Manohar’s Ishq, on the other hand, brought forth another facet of Shane as he played a character with several shades of grey. Initially portrayed as a “loving and understanding” boyfriend, his character undergoes a transformation when his masculinity receives a blow. Here, the once seemingly green flag-bearer turns into a typical man who believes paying back in own coin is the perfect retaliation. While exuding cuteness, Sachi (Shane) slowly becomes much akin to his rival by employing the same methods the latter used against him and his girlfriend, underscoring the pervasive nature of toxic masculinity and beast-like instincts in men. Shane approached the role with precision, pushing his own boundaries and emphasising his ability to tackle negative characters.

The same year, he embraced two more unconventional roles in ace filmmaker Shaji N Karun’s fantasy film Olu and Dimal Dennis’ crime comedy-drama Valiyaperunnal. In the latter, he radiated a unique and stylish presence, emanating a charisma that had not been seen before and offered glimpses of his dancing prowess.

Shane defied expectations and revealed an updated and impressive version of his talents in Rahul Sadasivan’s Bhoothakaalam (2022). Arguably one of the best psychological horror films Malayalam cinema has ever made, Bhoothakaalam explored body horror too, depicting the central characters undergoing intense emotional pain that visibly impacts their physicality. While Revathi delivered a groundbreaking performance, Shane not only complemented her acting but also carved his own legacy by skillfully embodying the story’s essence and his character. He masterfully conveyed a range of emotions, including worry, concern, remorse, and dread that the character Vinu faces in an astounding manner. The film also showcased another avatar of Shane Nigam as a composer and playback singer. He crafted the song “Raa Thaarame” and lent his vocals to it as well.

Now, looking back at his previous five films till that point, starting with Kumbalangi Nights, reveals a versatility rarely seen in the contemporary industry, rivalled only by Fahadh Faasil. Additionally, Jeevan Jojo’s Ullasam (2022) demonstrated that Shane isn’t confined to intense roles, proving his ability to excel in outright romantic films as well.

Having portrayed a series of young guy roles, delving into the diverse emotions and circumstances they experience, Shane indicated his versatility in Priyadarshan’s Corona Papers by taking on the role of a cop. This performance demonstrated his ability to effortlessly excel in characters holding positions of authority, commanding a powerful and substantial presence on screen.

Actors Shane Nigam and Antony Varghese in Nahas Hidayath’s RDX: Robert Dony Xavier. (Image: Shane Nigam/Facebook)

Syam Sasi’s recent film Vela, meanwhile, underscored that his success in a cop role in Corona Papers was not a fluke. It highlighted his skill in grasping the essence of his characters, as his portrayal of Ullas Augustine diverged significantly from Rahul in the Priyadarshan film. In contrast to SI Rahul, Ullas was simply a CPO stationed at a police control room; yet, Shane authentically embodied and highlighted the character’s vulnerabilities and capabilities in the most natural manner.

A pure action-packed spectacle, Nahas Hidayath’s RDX: Robert Dony Xavier underscored that Shane Nigam is an unabated all-rounder, flaunting his ability to excel in every aspect demanded by mainstream commercial cinema. The film not only highlighted Shane’s flawless mastery of a martial art like karate, but also effectively utilised his commanding on-screen presence in action sequences.

The swagger and charisma he infused into the character of Robert were truly exceptional. Conversely, at a time when choreographed songs had nearly vanished from Malayalam cinema, RDX featured two high-octane songs — “Neela Nilave” and “Halaballoo”, the latter of which didn’t make it to the final cut — where Shane danced with flair, demonstrating that his childhood talents haven’t faded.

Boasting a diverse range of challenging roles in both on-screen and off-screen capacities, showcasing various dimensions of his talents, it can confidently be asserted that he stands out as the only jack-of-all-trades among mainstream Malayalam film heroes. Despite being entangled in several controversies in recent years, Shane remains one of the most promising actors in the contemporary industry.