Shaam

Shamshuddin Ibrahim (born 5 April 1977), known professionally as Shaam, is a Tamil and Telugu film actor and model. Starting his career as a professional model, he soon made his acting debut in the film Khushi (2000), appearing in a cameo role. He further appeared in lead roles in critically and commercially successful films such as 12B, Anbe Anbe, Iyarkai, Ullam Ketkumae and the Telugu film Kick. In 2006, he made his debut in Kannada film through Tananam Tananam with Ramya and Rakshita directed by Kavitha Lankesh.

Early life

Shaam was born on 4 April 1977 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu,^[3] into a Tamil-speaking family; his father hails from Madurai, while his mother is from Tirupattur.^[4] He grew up in Bengaluru,^[4] where he pursued his studies. After completing his B Com, he did modelling through which he hoped to become an actor.^[5]

Career

Shaam began his career as a model in Bengaluru, modelling for various ads. Keen on pursuing an acting career, he was vainly searching for acting offers for four years.^[2] He then, following the recommendation of his model coordinator Biju Jayadevan, got to meet cinematographer Jeeva's, who was planning to make his directorial debut and was on the lookout for a new face for the film's lead role.^[3] Shaam was given the role for the film 12B.^[6] Shaam recollects that during his first meeting with Jeeva, he handed over his portfolio and introduced himself in English, when Jeeva heard him out, and then said, "Repeat what you just said, in Tamil" and Shaam did, and was subsequently signed on the next day after a meeting with producer Vikram Singh.^[7][8] The promos of the film were critically praised with Shaam signing on to appear on several projects before 12B even released.^[9] His second feature film, however, the S J Suryah-directed Khushi, in which he appeared in a cameo role, released first, since 12B got stuck in production and released in 2001 only. The film, based on the theme of butterfly effect, fetched rave reviews and was seen as a "dream entry" for Shaam,^[2] his performance was praised as "apt"^[10] His subsequent releases including Vasanth's Hey! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke (2002), Bala (2002), Anbe Anbe (2003) and Priyadarshan's Lesa Lesa (2003), garnered only average or poor box office returns.^[11] His final release of 2003 was Iyarkai by debutant S P Jananathan, which also failed at the box office due to a delayed release, but opened to high critical acclaim, even winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.^[12]

Shaam's first 2005 release, Ullam Ketkumae, again directed by Jeeva, finally was a commercial success again.^[11] In 2006, he acted in a Kannada film directed by Kavitha Lankesh, with Ramya and Rakshita, Tananam Tananam, an average grosser that released to mixed reviews. It fetched his co-star, Ramya, her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. She had described her role in the film as "little complex" and "challenging." Following several more unsuccessful films, he got a major break in the 2009 Telugu action film Kick. He reprised the role in the Tamil remake, titled Thillalangadi. Shaam tried his luck in Hindi with director Faisal Saif in the Hindi-Tamil bilingual titled Mujhe Maaf Karo. But due to ego clash between the actor and director the film has been put on hold^[13]

In late 2013, Shaam signed up to appear in Jananathan's political drama Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai and portrayed an honest police officer, in an ensemble cast featuring Arya and Vijay Sethupathi. The actor revealed that few days into the shoot, he realised the film could "redeem his career" and did not mind the potential liabilities of appearing alongside two other popular actors. Upon release in May 2015, he won critical acclaim for his portrayal of the character.^[4] Shaam is currently working on the suspense thriller Oru Melliya Kodu alongside Arjun and Manisha Koirala, an untitled Surender Reddy film in Telugu and an untitled Malayalam film with director Khader.^[4]

Personal life

Shaam has three brothers and two sisters.^[2] He is married to a Punjabi, Kashish, who is his former collegemate. They two have a daughter named Samaira.^[5]

Filmography

References

External links

• Shaam at the Internet Movie Database