Sajid Yahiya

When Sajid Yahiya made his directing debut in 2016 with the action comedy IDI – Inspector Dawood Ibrahim, he already had a string of acting credits. Born in Alappuzha on 20 December 1984, the Malayalam filmmaker, who also acts, produces and composes music, began in Anil C. Menon's Collector and followed it with Friday, where he was also executive producer. Roopesh Peethambaran then cast him in Theevram, and Arikil Oraal, Amen, Pakida and Bangalore Days (2014) came after. In 2018 he directed Mohanlal, a Manju Warrier film made as a tribute to the actor, and its song "Laletta" became a hit. Qalb (2020), his third film as director, is a romance he wrote, set by the beach in Alappuzha. He founded CP Film Productions and in 2021 produced Pallotty 90's Kids, directed by debutant Jithin Raj and presented by Lijo Jose Pellissery; it was selected for the Bangalore International Film Festival. He has also announced Arikomban, the story of a tusker that lost its mother at the age of two, to be filmed largely in Sri Lanka. He has a lead role in Antappante Athbudha Pravarthikal (2026) and is now set to lead Steve & Polly, directed by Vipin Atley.