Mohammed Shafiullah Moinudden, known professionally as Shafi, is an Indian actor primarily recognized for his roles in Telugu cinema. Known for his villainous roles, Shafi gained acclaim in 2002 for his debut film Khadgam, for which he won the Filmfare Award for Best Villain – Telugu. With notable performances in movies like Kamli (directed by K. N. T. Sastry), Chatrapathi (directed by S. S. Rajamouli), and Khaleja (directed by Trivikram Srinivas), he has established himself as a key player in the industry.
Career Shafi made his debut in Krishna Vamsi's directorial Khadgam (2002) as the villain Azhar.https://www.yovizag.com/telugu-actor-shafi-underrated-performance/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/shafi-the-intense-actor/articleshow/3124092.cms Critics praised his debut, and he received the Filmfare Award for Best Villain – Telugu for the role.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/underrated-performances-of-shafi/articleshow/94615176.cms
After Khadgam, he acted in various supporting and negative roles in several Telugu films like Praanam (2003) and Varsham (2004). In 2005, he played a key antagonist in S. S. Rajamouli’s Chatrapathi, winning the Cine Goers Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In 2006, Shafi took his first lead role opposite Nandita Das in Kamli, a Telugu drama directed by K. N. T. Sastry. He played a drunkard coolie, a deeply researched role. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. He also appeared in films like Mayajalam & Nuvve.. Nuvve... (both 2006)
He made his Tamil debut in Bheemaa (2008). He had comedic and supporting roles Ready (2008) and Khaleja (2010), his first collaboration with Mahesh Babu, where his role as Siddha won him the Bharathamuni Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also featured in Dookudu (2011) again with Babu, Julayi (2012) with Allu Arjun, and Balupu (2013) with Ravi Teja.
In 2023, Shafi starred in Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire – by Prashanth Neel, marking his third outing with Prabhas and will reprise his role in Salaar: Part 2 - Shouryanga Parvam.https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/south-indian-cinema/salaar-part-2-confirmed-101701855063013.html He also acted in the short film 3:15 AM (2023), directed by Amit Raj Verma, which won Best Thriller at the Los Angeles Film Awards. Shafi was nominated for Best Actor (Short Film) at the Cannes World Film Festival, gaining worldwide recognition.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/telugu-actor-shafi-earns-nomination-at-cannes-world-film-festival/articleshow/94328724.cms
Filmography Telugu films Year Film Role Note 2002 Khadgam Azhar Debut film 2003 Praanam Uma's brother's nephew 2004 Varsham Kaasi 2005 Danger Gattayya's brother Chhatrapati Ashok / Akash 2006 Maayajaalam Chhatrapati Nuvve.. Nuvve... Kamli Redya 2007 Dhee Maharajasri 2008 Ready Nagappa 2009 Katha Current Shafi Shh... 2010 Cara MajakaSimultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada Khaleja Sidhappa Telugammayi Killer 2011 Golconda High School Madhu Babu Wanted Raja Prema Kavali Babji Dookudu Qadir2012 Tuneega Tuneega Julayi Lala 2013 Balupu Kaasi Kiss Murthy Sahasra Chinappa Baadshah Baadshah's henchman2014Jaihind 2ChandruSimultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitham Journalist Shafi 2015 A Shyam Gopal Varma Film Shyam Gopal Varma Sher Chotu Shivam Mustafa 2017 Mister Sadasiva Rayalu Yuddham Sharanam Selvam 2018 Hyderabad Love Story Rangu 2019 Akshara Brochevarevarura Constable Ashok Kumar 2020 Run Real Doctor 2021 Drushyam 2 Janardhan 2022 Godfather Murugan 2023 Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire Thiru 2024 Bhoothaddam Bhaskar Narayana John Philip 2025Solo Boy
Tamil films Year Film Role Note2008 Thenavattu Santhosh Bheemaa Chinna's friend2009 Sindhanai Sei Shankar 2010 Kutti Pisasu Mandhira Moorthy Simultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada 2014 Jaihind 2 Chandru2017 12-12-1950
Other language films Year Film Role Language Note 2004 Run Hindi Cameo Appearance 2008 Firaaq Ghogha2010 Bombat Car KannadaSimultaneously in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada2014 AbhimanyuChandru2019 Ranahedi Television ATM
References
External links