Aashiq Abu is an Indian filmmaker and producer who works predominantly in Malayalam cinema. He is known for directing films that combine commercial appeal with socially engaged themes, and for backing fresh storytelling through his production house OPM (Orange Pictures and Music) Cinemas. Films such as Salt N' Pepper, 22 Female Kottayam, Idukki Gold, Rani Padmini, Mayaanadhi and Virus have placed him among the prominent directors of the new generation of Malayalam cinema that emerged in the 2010s.
| Name | Aashiq Abu |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Film director, producer |
| Industry | Malayalam cinema |
| Spouse | Rima Kallingal (actress) |
| Production company | OPM Cinemas (Orange Pictures and Music) |
| Directorial debut | Daddy Cool (2009) |
| Notable films (director) | Salt N' Pepper, 22 Female Kottayam, Idukki Gold, Gangster, Rani Padmini, Mayaanadhi, Virus, Naradan, Neelavelicham |
Aashiq Abu hails from Kerala and entered the film industry through assistant work in Malayalam productions before turning to direction. He is part of a wave of filmmakers — alongside contemporaries such as Anwar Rasheed, Rajesh Pillai, Anjali Menon and Sameer Thahir — whose work in the early 2010s is often associated with what critics describe as the "new generation" or "new wave" of Malayalam cinema, characterised by realist storytelling, urban settings, naturalistic performances and contemporary themes.
Aashiq Abu made his directorial debut with Daddy Cool (2009), a Malayalam remake. He achieved wider critical and commercial recognition with Salt N' Pepper (2011), a food-themed romantic comedy, followed by 22 Female Kottayam (2012), a revenge drama starring Rima Kallingal that was widely discussed for its female-led narrative.
His later directorial credits include:
Through OPM Cinemas, Aashiq Abu has produced or co-produced films associated with younger directors and unconventional scripts. Notable productions include Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016), directed by Dileesh Pothan, which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam, as well as titles such as Da Thadiya, 5 Sundarikal, Mayaanadhi and Virus.
Aashiq Abu's films are often noted for:
Aashiq Abu is married to actress and dancer Rima Kallingal, who has appeared in several of his films. He is also publicly associated with progressive positions on issues affecting the Malayalam film industry, including matters raised by the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), a body co-founded by Rima Kallingal.
Aashiq Abu is regarded as a key figure of the post-2010 transformation in Malayalam cinema, both as a director who helped popularise a more naturalistic style and as a producer who has supported debut directors and writers. His production house's success with Maheshinte Prathikaaram and similar small-budget films contributed to broadening the commercial space for character-driven Malayalam films.