Shaam

After a brief sabbatical in Tamil films, Shaam returned with the long delayed Tamil film Kaaviyyan in 2019. The film released to negative reviews. The Times of India wrote that "The film, however, is sure to disappoint those who even go without any expectation".

In late 2013, Shaam signed up to appear in Jananathan's political drama Purampokku and portrayed an honest police officer, in an ensemble cast featuring Arya and Vijay Sethupathi. The actor revealed that a 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. In an IBT review of the film, the reviewer stated that "Shaam as a police officer stands out among all the leading characters, with the intensity he portrays in his role". Shaam's next release was the Kannada suspense thriller Game, which was also shot in Tamil as Oru Melliya Kodu alongside Arjun and Manisha Koirala. The Kannada version released in February 2016 to positive reviews and the Tamil version released in July 2016. In 2017, he was signed to portray one of the lead roles in Kaala Koothu in 2015 and grew his beard for the role. However, he left the role due to differences with the director. He made his Malayalam debut with The Great Father (2017).

In late 2011, he appeared in the film 6, which released to positive reviews. For his role in the film, Shaam spent more than a dozen sleepless nights, which resulted in a big swelling below his eyes and for another look, hereduced his weight and grew his hair long and a beard. After the success of the film, Kannada actor, Sudeep, announced that he was going to do a multilingual film with Shaam.

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. After the success of Kick, Shaam signed his second Telugu film, a biopic Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy. However, due to the crisis in Andhra Pradesh at the time, the film failed to materialize.

In 2008, he appeared in the film, Thoondil directed by K. S. Adhiyaman. The next is Inba alongside Sneha. It's the third collaboration between Shaam and actress Sneha. These films had no impact at the box office.

In 2007, post the death of Jeeva, Shaam struggled to succeed in the Tamil film industry.

In 2006, he acted in love story, Manathodu Mazhaikalam. The film was released to negative reviews. He made his Kannada debut in the film Tananam Tananam.

He is married to a Punjabi, Kashish, who was his collegemate. They have two daughters named Samaira (born on May 2nd, 2006) and Kiara (born on April 7th, 2010).

Following Ullam Ketkumae, directed by Jeeva, finally was a commercial success. It is Shaam's best ever film in which he is able to bring out the sensibilities of the character. ABCD, a romance film released on August 2005.

His second feature film, however, the S J Suryah-directed Kushi, in which he appeared in a cameo role, released first, since 12B got stuck in production and released in 2001 only. The film which was a blatant rip-off of Sliding Doors, fetched rave reviews and was seen as a "dream entry" for Shaam, his performance was praised as "apt" His subsequent releases including Vasanth's Yai! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke! (2002), Bala (2002), Anbe Anbe (2003) and Priyadarshan's Lesa Lesa (2003), garnered only average or poor box office returns. Shaam was approached to play the third male lead role in Aaytha Ezhuthu, but was unable to sign the film because of date issues with Iyarkai. 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.

Shamshuddin Ibrahim (born 4 April 1977), known professionally as Shaam, is an Indian model and Tamil film actor who is also known for his roles in Kannada and Telugu films. Starting his career as a professional model, he soon made his acting debut in the film 12B (2001). He further appeared in lead roles in critically successful films such as Lesa Lesa (2003), Iyarkai (2003), and Ullam Ketkumae (2005), which was also successful commercially. He garnered acclaim for his role in Kick (2009), which earned him the name Kick Shaam. Kick enabled Shaam to star in other successful films such as Race Gurram (2014). After a hiatus, he returned to Tamil cinema with 6 (2013) and Purampokku Engira Podhuvudamai (2015), both of which released to positive reviews.

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