Aashiq Abu

After working as an assistant director to Malayalam film director Kamal for about five years, Abu made his directorial debut with Daddy Cool in 2009 starring Mammootty. Salt N' Pepper was his second directorial effort. Salt N' Pepper’s Tamil, Telugu and Hindi remake rights was bought by actor-director Prakash Raj. In 2012, he directed 22 Female Kottayam which was followed by Da Thadiya, Gangster and Rani Padmini. Aashiq Abu has also done a short film, Lost in Bangalore for Mathrubhumi. His 2017 release Mayaanadhi released to widespread acclaim and has been described as his best film yet. On June 7th 2019, his latest movie Virus was released. The movie is based on the true events of the Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala in 2018.

On Kerala Piravi day, 2019, Kochi Music Foundation organised the musical event 'Karuna' at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium at Kadavanthra in Kochi promising that the proceedings from the event will be donated to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) to help flood victims. The organisers of this fest included filmmaker Aashiq Abu, singer Shahabaz Aman, and music director Bijibal. However, an RTI document shared by state Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha secretary Sandeep G Varier on Facebook last week revealed that the Chief Minister's office was yet to receive the funds, sparking a controversy. Other members of the Kochi Music Foundation also included Aashiq Abu’s wife and actress Rima Kallingal, writer Syam Pushkaran and singer Sithara (Singer). They were widely criticised in social media.

Abu produces and distributes under the banner OPM and OPM Dream Mill Cinemas. OPM produced Dileesh Pothan's directional debut Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.

Following the controversy, Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, through a Facebook post, demanded that Abu should make it public whether he has made payment to the government. Following this, Abu posted the image of the cheque for an amount of Rs 6.22 lakh to the Principal Secretary (Finance), CMDRF.The date of the cheque is 14.02.2020. It clearly shows that Rs 6.22 lakh was handed over to CMDRF only after the issue has become a controversy.

Aashiq Abu was born in Edappally, Kerala to C. M. Abu, and Jameela Abu. Aashiq Abu completed his school education from SRV High School, Kochi. As a pre-degree student at Maharajas College, he was elected to the Students' Union, and was a union member for four consecutive years. He married actress Rima Kallingal on 1 November 2013, in a simple function held in Kakkanad Registration office, Kochi.

Aashiq Abu has done ad films for Joyalukkas group, Mathrubhumi, Panasonic, Lulu Group, Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, Media One TV and Club 7. OPM (Original Pixels in Motion) Cinemas led by Aashiq Abu is a production house launched in October 2012. In 2015, Aashiq Abu had been hired by UAE Exchange to direct their ad campaign starring Malayalam actors Jayasurya and Fahadh Faasil.

Salt N' Pepper, won him the Best Director and/or Popular Director awards on various stages. Apart from these, the film also received awards in various other categories at the 2011 Asianet, Surya, Vanita, Mathrubhumi and Asia Vision Film Awards, and made the top notch news in many media and press reviews. It also won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film. He won the Mohan Raghavan Award for Best Director in 2012 for 22 Female Kottayam. For producing Maheshinte Prathikaaram, he also won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value. He also won a Special Award at the Asianet Film Awards.

Aashiq Abu started as an ad filmmaker. He made his directional debut with Daddy Cool (2009). He is best known for his films Salt N' Pepper (2011), 22 Female Kottayam (2012), Idukki Gold (2013)Mayaanadhi (2017) and Virus (2019). Abu is known for his collaboration with screenwriters Syam Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair.

Aashiq Abu (born 12 April 1978) is an Indian film director, producer, actor, and distributor, who works in Malayalam cinema.