Fahadh Faasil has played many memorable characters with moments that act as a goldmine for memes. The actor has also presented netizens with a treasure trove of content that showcases his acting prowess and versatality one meme at a time. Many of his characters still do the rounds in the internet meme space, a sign of how much resonance they have gained in the public’s collective consciousness over the years. From subtle expressions to over-the-top shenanigans, these serve as a snapshot of Fahadh’s incredible range as an actor. Without further ado, here are the five most iconic memes from the Fahadh Faasil playbook.
The Running Aymanam Sidharthan from Oru Indian Pranayakadha
Fahadh is known for his psychopathic characters, but the actor has played the everyman type equally well. Early in his career, he embodied the traits of the lazy and aimless youngster in Sathyan Anthikad’s Oru Indian Pranayakadha and Njan Prakashan. In one moment from the 2013 film, Fahadh’s character is leading a political rally, but he makes a quick and undignified escape the moment he sees a barricade of cops. Nobody has made running an act of its own since Mukesh from In Harihar Nagar. The scene perfectly encapsulates the character's self-preserving nature.
The Angry Mahesh from Maheshinte Prathikaaram
You do not want the wrath of Mahesh from the iconic Dileesh Pothan directorial. Nobody does. Unfortunately, for Soubin Shahir’s Crispin, he finds this out the hard way. Crispin, wanting to help his friend, tells Mahesh that he can identify the man who publicly humiliated him. He then takes Mahesh to a place, confident he has identified the right person. However, when Mahesh realises that the man that Crispin identified is no longer there, he gives his friend a cold, intensely angry stare. It shows the depth of Mahesh's rage. He loathes the man so much that he does not spare even his harmless friend from his wrath. The scene perfectly captures the character's burning obsession. Fahadh Faasil’s eyes convey it all.
The Ranga Annan Dance from Aavesham
Almost everything in the Jithu Madhavan directorial is a meme-worthy moment. However, the Ranga Annan Dance stands out for its sheer uniqueness. The innocuous moment captures the volatile and unpredictable nature of Fahadh's larger-than-life gangster character. This is the same man who threatens a group of youngsters, scaring the living daylights out of them. Fahadh’s brilliance lies in how he finds the right balance between the ludicrous and the serious, making the audience curious about the man behind the gangster while keeping them from taking him too seriously. He plays the character with just the right amount of self-awareness. Fahadh once revealed that he used a real reel as an inspiration for the scene, showing his observational skills and ability to adapt his acting to the character. This is commendable, especially for an actor who does not even have a smartphone or is not on social media.
The Shammi Smile from Kumbalangi Nights
One of the most iconic meme templates with Fahadh Faasil is the sinister smile of Shammi from the 2019 Madhu C Narayanan directorial. Meme creators often use the moment with a passive-aggressive quote, making it apt for any veiled threat or attempt to appear normal while being downright deranged. It is a mini masterclass in how one facial expression can even convey a whole personality. It hides Shammi’s toxic masculinity, narcissism, and deeply fragile and unchecked ego. An attempt to suppress anger and maintain normalcy, it shows that Shammi is polite on the outside but is seething with rage internally at anything he finds ‘improper’.
The Near Confession from Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum
The moment Fahadh’s small-time thief Prasad realises that his secret is no longer safe with him and has no option but to tell the truth to Nimisha Sajayan’s Sreeja, he blurts it out to her with a sheepish smile. However, an earlier moment where he almost confesses to his crime as Sreeja confronts him is equally iconic. The moments perfectly encapsulate Prasad's desperation and helplessness. Moreover, the near-confession moment still has a special place in meme culture. Meme makers often use it to portray a confession that someone makes when they commit a small, embarrassing crime. Fahadh’s raw portrayal of a man whose desperation puts him in a corner makes the moment feel both comical and tragically human.