Soubin Shahir is an Indian actor, director, and writer who works in the Malayalam film industry. He is known for his work as an actor in films like ‘Parava’ (2017), ‘Sudani from Nigeria’ (2018), and ‘Kumbalangi Nights’ (2019).
Wiki/Biography
Soubin Shahir was born on Wednesday, 12 October 1983 (age 39 years; as of 2022) in Fort Kochi, also known as Fort Cochin, Kerala, India. His zodiac sign is Libra. Soubin grew up in Fort Kochi.
Soubin Shahir’s childhood picture with his parents
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Weight (approx.): 65 kg
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper (semi-bald)
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Soubin’s father, Babu Shahir, worked as an assistant director and production controller in Malayalam-language films including In Harihar Nagar (1990), Godfather (1991), and Manichitrathazhu (1993), while his mother, Soudha Babushahir, is a homemaker. Soubin Shahir has an elder brother named Shabin Shahir and a sister named Linutha Shibu.
From left: Soubin Shahir, Soudha Babushahir, Linutha Shibu, and Shabin Shahir
Wife & Children
Soubin Shahir got married to Jamia Zaheer, a marketing professional, on 16 December 2017.
A picture from Soubin Shahir and Jamia Zaheer’s wedding
The couple has a son named Orhan.
Soubin Shahir with his wife, Jamia Zaheer, and son, Orhan
Relationships/Affairs
Soubin Shahir dated Jamia Zaheer before tying the knot with her in 2017.
Career
Actor
Film
Malayalam
Soubin Shahir made his acting debut with the 1992 comedy-drama film ‘Vietnam Colony’ as a child artist. In the same year, he appeared in the film ‘Pappayude Swantham Appoos.’
A poster of the film ‘Vietnam Colony’ (1992)
Soubin worked as a child artist in a coming-of-age comedy-drama film titled ‘Kabooliwala’ in 1994. He appeared as a bus passenger in the film ‘Kaiyethum Doorath’ in 2002. Soubin Shahir debuted as a lead actor with the film ‘Sudani from Nigeria’ (2018) in which he appeared as ‘Majeed.’
Soubin Shahir as ‘Majeed’ in a still from the film ‘Sudani from Nigeria’ (2018)
Soubin appeared in many other films such as Vicky in ‘Oru Yamandan Premakadha’ (2019), Kuttaps in ‘Jack N’ Jill’ (2022), and K. P. Suresh in ‘Vellari Pattanam’ (2023).
Director
In 2017, Soubin Shahir made his directorial debut with the Malayalam-language drama film ‘Parava’ in which he played the role of a drug addict.
Writer
Soubin Shahir co-wrote the script of the Malayalam-language film ‘Parava’ (2017).
Awards & Honours
2015
- Asianet Comedy Awards for Best Pair with Vinay Forrt in the film ‘Premam’
2016
- Flowers Comedy Awards for Best Supporting Actor Comedy
Soubin Shahir’s Instagram post
2017
- Asianet Comedy Awards – All Rounder of the Year
- Asiavision Awards for Best Debut Director for the film ‘Parava’
- 2nd IIFA Utsavam Award under the category of Performance In A Comic Role for the film ‘Charlie’
Soubin Shahir while receiving the 2nd IIFA Utsavam Award
2018
- Vanitha Film Awards for Best Debut Director for the film ‘Parava’
Soubin Shahir’s Instagram post
- Asianet Film Awards’ Honorary Special Award for the film ‘Parava’
- Special Award at 66th Filmfare Awards South for the film ‘Sudani from Nigeria’
- Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actor for the film ‘Sudani From Nigeria’
2020
- Vanitha Film Awards for Best Supporting Actor for the films ‘Kumbalangi Nights’ and ‘Virus’
Soubin Shahir after receiving Vanitha Film Awards 2020
Bike Collection
Soubin Shahir owns a BMW R 1250 GS Adventure and a Harley Davidson Street 750.
Soubin Shahir, along with his family, after buying BMW R 1250 GS Adventure
Car Collection
Soubin owns Lexus ES 300h Luxury and Mercedes-Benz E 250 CDI. He changed the colour of the Mercedes-Benz E 250 CDI from silver to pearl black in 2017 at WrapStyle in Kerala.
Soubin Shahir (left) at WrapStyle with his Mercedes-Benz E 250 CDI
Tattoo
Soubin Shahir has got four inverted V tattoo inked on his right forearm.
Soubin Shahir’s four inverted V tattoo
Facts/Trivia
- Soubin actively participated in sports, fancy dress competitions, and acting during his college days. In an interview, he talked about his interests and mentioned that while he dedicated himself to these co-curricular pursuits, he prioritized his studies as a secondary focus; however, this approach did not tarnish his reputation as a student. On the contrary, his active involvement in extracurricular endeavours earned him a positive image, and he was not perceived as a neglectful or inattentive student.
- He considers Indian cinematographer Santosh Sivan as his guru.
- Soubin has a penchant for caps, and it’s quite common to see him donning them.
- In an interview, Soubin mentioned that when he started working as an assistant director in the Malayalam film industry, he aimed to become a chief associate director. he added that he was told not to look assistant director as a salaried job. While talking about this, in an interview, Soubin said,
I joined as an assistant director but was told never to look at it as a salaried job. It was always about learning the nuances. The hope then was to become the chief associate director one day. there was still a lot left to learn. So more than becoming a director one day, the aim was to just become an associate director. It was during this phase that I was approached to act in films like Annayum rasoolumm (2013). However, I had this feeling that I should direct films. So I decided to take a break from acting. I was just going with the flow.”