Shafi was a director who pioneered Malayalam cinema with comedy films. He directed about twenty films in a career spanning a quarter of a century. He directed many hit films including Kalyanaraman, Mayavi, 2 Countries, Pulival Kalyanam, and Chocolate. He directed 18 films.
After working as an assistant director in several films, Shafi became an independent director in 2001 with One Man Show. His first film was scripted by his brother Rafi and McCartin. Shafi started his film career as an assistant director in Rajasenan’s Dilliwala Rajakumaran in 1996. He then worked in Rafi-McCartin films and his uncle’s director Siddique’s films.
After the one-man show, the films Kalyanaraman, Pulival Kalyanam, Thommanum Makkalum, Mayavi, Chocolate, Lollipop, Chattambinad, and Two Countries all found a place in the hit charts. Mammootty was the hero in Thommanum Makkalum, Mayavi, Chattambinad, and Veniceile Vyapaari. Mayavi, released in 2007, was a huge box office success in Malayalam cinema. Mammootty’s character Mahi was different from the roles Mammootty had played until then. Salim Kumar’s Kannan Srank became a great comic character. The character Giri in Mayavi was a career break for Suraj Venjaranmood.
He also directed Thommanum Makkalum in Tamil, starring Vikram and Asin in the lead roles. He produced films like Lollipop and 101 Weddings. He wrote the story for three films, including Make-up Man. The story and screenplay for Sherlock Toms were written by Shafi. His wife is Shamila, daughter of music director MA Majeed.