Cover Indian film actor Sharath “Shabby” Nair (Photo: Fady Younis)
Indian film actor Sharath “Shabby” Nair (Photo: Fady Younis)
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Indian film actor Sharath “Shabby” Nair is reshaping the landscape of Tamil cinema with his passion, versatility and vision for impactful storytelling
For Sharath Nair, the magic of cinema began in the darkness of a movie theatre at the tender age of two. While most toddlers might have been frightened by the monstrous roars of Godzilla, young Nair found himself captivated.
“I felt at home at the movies,” he recalls. This early fascination set the stage for a career that is changing the face of local Tamil cinema.
At 31, Nair, popularly known as Shabby, is a rising star with a growing list of credits in film and television, including Telekinesis (2024), Neer Mel Neruppu (2024), Rajathanthiram: The Piano (2023), Detective Maniam (2022), Nadunisi KL (2022), and Manmadha Bullets (2021). However, it’s his upcoming role alongside renowned actor Sivakarthikeyan that promises to be his most high-profile project yet.
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Above Indian film actor Shabby Nair reflects on his career at Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur
Indian film actor Shabby Nair reflects on his career at Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur
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Nair’s journey to the silver screen began in front of a different kind of screen: the mirror in his childhood home. As a young boy, he would spend hours reenacting scenes from his favourite films, mimicking the styles of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.
“From there, I felt like I had to break into the industry,” he explains. “I knew I didn’t want to pursue what is normally expected: to be a doctor, lawyer or an engineer. I preferred the multimedia and entertainment industry, because I always felt that it was a way to touch hearts.”
Above Nair is a multilingual talent, fluent in English, Malay, Tamil and Mandarin
Nair is a multilingual talent, fluent in English, Malay, Tamil and Mandarin
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This early passion has translated into a mature understanding of cinema’s power and potential, viewing it as a vehicle for social change. “Movies have the potential to inspire and change mindsets,” he says. This perspective drives him to seek out projects that can make a meaningful impact on audiences.
As he navigates the evolving landscape of Indian cinema in Malaysia, Nair is both optimistic and critical. “A lot has changed in the local industry and at the same time there is much we need to improve,” he observes. He sees room for growth in various technical and creative aspects of filmmaking.
Nair advocates for a shift in mindset among local filmmakers, urging them to approach their work with the same care and dedication as their counterparts in larger industries. “Directors in India and most other places treat their movies like beloved children. I think we can achieve a lot if we can avoid viewing our craft as just a business, but a means to give the current generation a gift of ideas that could transform their world view.”
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Nair’s big break in the industry came through a serendipitous turn of events. While in India for a different project, a screen test he did caught the attention of the production house working on a film with Sivakarthikeyan.
“I got a message from an unfamiliar number about attending a shoot and when I went, I felt my legs shiver when I suddenly saw Sivakarthikeyan and AR Murugadoss,” Nair recounts, equating the experience to meeting a Hollywood legend like Michael Bay. This project, still in production and expected to wrap in 2025, promises to propel Nair to new heights in his career.
Nair enjoys dabbling in digital art
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Despite his growing success, Nair remains hungry for artistic challenges. Often cast in roles as police officers or the charming “boy next door,” he’s eager to break free from typecasting. Inspired by versatile actors like James McAvoy, particularly his performance in M Night Shyamalan’s Split (2016), Nair aspires to take on more complex and demanding roles.
Nair’s artistic pursuits extend beyond acting. Fluent in English, Malay, Tamil and Mandarin, he is also passionate about content creation and graphic design, often designing movie posters for projects close to his heart.
“Marketing is important: if you cannot sell your product from the poster, how will people know to come and watch your movie? The poster is an important starting point,” he explains. This multifaceted approach to his craft has even led to work with studios like Warner Bros and 20th Century Studios.
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Throughout his career, Nair has faced his share of setbacks. He recounts a particularly dark moment when, overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts, a chance encounter with a Buddha statue in Genting Highlands changed his perspective. Now, he often visits Chin Swee Caves Temple when in need of spiritual grounding.
As Nair continues his journey, he remains committed to pushing boundaries. “Don’t wait for someone else to change your life, but be the change in the world you want to see without sacrificing who you are.”
Credits
Photography: Fady Younis
Location: Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur
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