{{Short description|Malayalam film director}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Ashraf Hamza | image = Asharf hmza.png | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = | birth_place = Ponnani, Kerala, India | occupation = Film director, screenwriter, actor | years_active = 2018–present }}
'''Ashraf Hamza''' is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in Malayalam cinema.<ref name="അഷ്റഫ് ഹംസ - Ashraf Hamsa | M3DB">{{Cite web |title=അഷ്റഫ് ഹംസ |url=https://m3db.com/ashraf-hamsa |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=M3DB |language=en}}</ref> Hailing from Ponnani, Malappuram, he debuted with 2019 Malayalam movie ''Thamaasha''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Madhu |first=Vignesh |date=2020-12-27 |title=Thamaasha director Ashraf Hamza's next with Kunchacko Boban begins! |url=https://onlookersmedia.in/latestnews/thamaasha-director-ashraf-hamzas-next-kunchacko-boban-begins/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=onlookersmedia |language=en-US}}</ref> His second directorial feature was ''Bheemante Vazhi'' (2021).<ref>{{Cite web |title=ഭീമനിലേക്കുള്ള സൗഹൃദവഴി; സംവിധായകൻ അഷ്റഫ് ഹംസ സംസാരിക്കുന്നു |url=https://www.deshabhimani.com/cinema/bheemante-vazhi-ashraf-hamsa/985049 |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Deshabhimani |language=ml}}</ref> He was the co-writer of the 2022 movie ''Thallumaala.''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Praveen |first=S. R. |date=2022-08-12 |title='Thallumaala' movie review: Tovino Thomas stars in all-out fight fest, with the depth of a social media reel |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/thallumaala-movie-review-tovino-thomas-stars-in-all-out-fight-fest-with-the-depth-of-a-social-media-reel/article65761477.ece |access-date=2023-05-05 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
== Early life == He was born in Ponnani, Kerala.<ref name="I couldn’t have asked for a better team: Thamaasha director Ashraf Hamza">{{Cite web |title=I couldn't have asked for a better team: Thamaasha director Ashraf Hamza |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2019/may/04/i-couldnt-have-asked-for-a-better-team-thamaasha-director-ashraf-hamza-1972331.html |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=The New Indian Express|date=4 May 2019 }}</ref> His father owned a movie theatre named ''<nowiki/>'Alankar''' in Ponnani.<ref name="മാറുന്ന സിനിമയും തമാശകളും... ">{{Cite web |date=2020-08-18 |title=മാറുന്ന സിനിമയും തമാശകളും... |url=https://anweshanam.com/interviews/interview-with-ashraf-hamza/cid2993202.htm |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=anweshanam.com |language=ml}}</ref> Hamza has said that is where his enthusiasm for movies developed, as he spent much of his holidays at the theatre.<ref name="മാറുന്ന സിനിമയും തമാശകളും... " /> Some of his childhood experiences with the movie theatre were included in the movie ''Thallumaala.''<ref>{{Citation |title=Thallumaala Team Interview {{!}} Khalid Rahman {{!}} Tovino Thomas{{!}} Kalyani Priyadarshan {{!}} Maneesh Narayanan | date=11 August 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VvqfDfUOx0 |access-date=2023-05-05 |language=en}}</ref>
== Career == He started his career by directing a short film based on U. P. Jayaraj's short story ''<nowiki/>'Bihar'''.<ref name="മാറുന്ന സിനിമയും തമാശകളും... " /> Later he directed some documentaries, short films and ad films.<ref name="അഷ്റഫ് ഹംസ - Ashraf Hamsa | M3DB" /> It was his friendship with director Muhsin Parari that led to the possibility of doing a feature-length project.<ref name="I couldn’t have asked for a better team: Thamaasha director Ashraf Hamza" /> He was approached by Muhsin to write a movie after Muhsin's directorial debut ''KL 10 Patthu'' was failed to perform in box office, but the project was shelved (this was later turned out to be the 2022 movie ''Thallumaala'').<ref>{{Citation |title=Radio Mango Josh Junction Ft. Muhsin Parari with RJ Manju {{!}} Radio Mango Exclusive | date=August 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In5NpPs_-LY |access-date=2023-05-05 |language=en}}</ref> He was asked by Lijo Jose Pellissery and Chemban Vinod Jose to direct an independent adaptation of 2017 Kannada movie ''Ondu Motteya Kathe''.<ref name="തമാശക്ക് പിന്നിലെ സിനിമാ യാത്രകൾ | Ashraf Hamza Interview-Movie News | Madhyamam">{{Cite web |last=ഡെസ്ക് |first=വെബ് |date=2019-06-18 |title=തമാശക്ക് പിന്നിലെ സിനിമാ യാത്രകൾ {{!}} Madhyamam |url=https://www.madhyamam.com/movies/movie-interviews/ashraf-hamza-interview-movie-news/616640 |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=www.madhyamam.com |language=ml}}</ref> Ashraf Hamza approached Sameer Thahir and Shyju Khalid with this project and they agreed to produce the movie along with Lijo Jose Pellissery and Chemban Vinod Jose.<ref name="തമാശക്ക് പിന്നിലെ സിനിമാ യാത്രകൾ | Ashraf Hamza Interview-Movie News | Madhyamam" /> The project was conceived under the title ''Thamaasha'' and Sameer Thahir handled the cinematography with Vinay Forrt and Chinnu Chandni in lead roles.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Thamaasha Movie Review |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/thamaasha/movie-review/69661822.cms |access-date=2023-05-05 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The movie was released on 19 June 2019 to critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sudhish |first=Navamy |date=2019-06-07 |title='Thamaasha' Malayalam movie review: This Vinay Forrt-starrer is a simple, sensitive take on body-shaming |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/thamaasha-review-a-simple-sensitive-take-on-bodyshaming/article27597614.ece |access-date=2023-05-05 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-23 |title=Thamaasha movie review: Vinay Forrt lends grace and charm to an endearing Everyman |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/thamaasha-movie-review-vinay-forrt-lends-grace-and-charm-to-an-endearing-everyman-6866781.html |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamasha review: a simple and powerful take on what is no longer funny |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2019/06/06/tamasha-vinay-forrt-malayalam-movie-review.html |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=OnManorama}}</ref>
His second directorial feature was ''Bheemante Vazhi'', which was released in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-04 |title=Bheemante Vazhi movie review: This is not a road movie, but a movie about road |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/bheemante-vazhi-movie-review-kunchacko-boban-7656279/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Chemban Vinod Jose scripted and produced this movie with Kunchacko Boban as the lead.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-03 |title=ദൃഢനിശ്ചയത്തിന്റെ വഴി, ഭീമന്റെ വഴി{{!}} Bheemante Vazhi Review |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/reviews/bheemante-vazhi-movie-review-jinu-joseph-kunchacko-boban-chinnu-chandni-chemban-vinod-1.6235768 |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref> The movie was a moderate box office success and won critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kunchacko Boban's Bheemante Vazhi cuts a predictable path into an everyday issue |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2021/12/03/kunchacko-boban-bheemante-vazhi-expect-review-tickets-rating-malayalam-film.html |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=OnManorama}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-01-12 |title=Top 10 Highest Grossing Malayalam Movies of 2021 |url=https://juksun.com/highest-grossing-malayalam-movies-of-2021/ |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Juksun |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Thallumaala'', his writing collaboration with Muhsin Parari was released in August 2022 and turned out to be one of the highest grossing Malayalam films.<ref>{{Cite web |last=nirmal |title=വെറും ഹിറ്റ് അല്ല മെഗാ ഹിറ്റ്; 'തല്ലുമാല'യുടെ ഒരു മാസത്തെ കളക്ഷന് കണക്ക് പുറത്തുവിട്ട് നിര്മ്മാതാക്കള് |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/box-office/thallumaala-total-box-office-colelction-tovino-thomas-khalid-rahman-ashiq-usman-productions-rhslql |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=ml}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-06 |title=Thallumaala Box Office Collection : 'അടിച്ച്' മെഗ ഹിറ്റുണ്ടാക്കി തല്ലുമാല; ചിത്രത്തിന്റെ ബോക്സ്ഓഫീസ് കളക്ഷൻ ഇങ്ങനെ |url=https://zeenews.india.com/malayalam/movies/thallumaala-box-office-collection-tovino-thomas-collects-70-plus-crore-rupees-in-just-30-days-here-is-detail-report-105279 |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Zee News Malayalam |language=ml}}</ref>
His third movie as a director is ''Sulaikha Manzil'' with Lukman Avaran and Anarkali Marikar in lead roles.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Sulaikha Manzil' Review: A must-watch film that leaves you satisfied like a cup of Sulaimani |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2023/04/22/sulaikha-manzil-malayalam-movie-anarkali-marikar-review.html |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=OnManorama}}</ref> The movie was released in April 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=മധുരമുളള സുലൈമാനി കുടിച്ച പോലെ, മനോഹരം ഈ കല്യാണ കാഴ്ചകൾ; സുലൈഖ മൻസിൽ റിവ്യൂ |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-reviews/2023/04/21/sulaikha-manzil-movie-review.html |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=ManoramaOnline |language=ml}}</ref>
== Filmography == <ref name="അഷ്റഫ് ഹംസ - Ashraf Hamsa | M3DB" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Ashraf Hamza |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Ashraf-Hamza?from=mdr |access-date=2023-05-05 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" ! scope="col" |Year ! scope="col" |Title ! scope="col" |Director ! scope="col" |Writer ! scope="col" class="unsortable" |Notes |- |2019 |''Thamaasha'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |Debut movie |- |2021 |''Bheemante Vazhi'' |{{yes}} |{{no}} | |- |2022 |''Thallumaala'' |{{no}} |{{yes}} | |- |2023 |''Sulaikha Manzil'' |{{yes}} |{{yes}} | |}
{| class="wikitable" |+Acting roles !Year !Movie !Role !Notes |- |2018 |''Sudani from Nigeria'' |Doctor<ref>{{Cite web |title=സുഡാനി ഫ്രം നൈജീരിയ |url=https://m3db.com/film/sudani-nigeria |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=M3DB |language=en}}</ref> | |}
== Trivia ==
* Ashraf Hamza introduced Muhsin Parari as a lyricist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2019 |title='പാടി ഞാൻ മൂളക്കമാലേ ഒരു പാട്ട് തന്നാലേ'; പുലിക്കോട്ടിൽ ഹൈദറിന്റെ വരികള് തമാശയിലെത്തിയ കഥ ഇങ്ങനെ |url=https://www.mediaoneonline.com/entertainment/2019/05/02/thamasha-song-history-from-pulikkotil-haider-to-muhsin-parari|access-date=6 May 2023 |website=MediaOne TV}}</ref> Muhsin was asked to complete the lines of ''Paadi Njan'', an incomplete Mappilappaattu written by Pulikkottil Hyder into a full-length song for the movie ''Thamaasha''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-04-20 |title=Muhsin Parari turns a lyricist |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/muhsin-parari-turns-a-lyricist/articleshow/68965094.cms |access-date=2023-05-05 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Later on Muhsin Parari wrote all the songs in all of Ashraf Hamza's movies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Malayalam Songs written by Muhsin Parari |url=https://www.malayalachalachithram.com/listsongs.php?l=15337 |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=www.malayalachalachithram.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=മുഹ്സിൻ പരാരി |url=https://m3db.com/muhsin-parari |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=M3DB |language=en}}</ref> * All of Ashraf Hamza's movies were shot in and around his hometown Ponnani.<ref>{{Cite web |title=പൊന്നാനിയിലുണ്ടാകുന്ന മുസ്ലിം കല്യാണം: അഷ്റഫ് ഹംസ അഭിമുഖം |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/interview/2023/04/20/chat-with-ashraf-hamza.html |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=ManoramaOnline |language=ml}}</ref> Except for ''Bheemante Vazhi'', the plots were also set in Ponnani.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ജോസഫ് |first=റാല്ഫ് ടോം |title='ഭീമന്റെ വഴിയില് ചാക്കോച്ചന് അത്ര മാന്യനല്ല'; അഷറഫ് ഹംസ അഭിമുഖം |url=https://www.thecue.in/cue-interview/ashraf-hamza-director-interview-about-bheemante-vazhi |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=The Cue |date=20 November 2021 |language=ml}}</ref> * Chemban Vinod Jose acted as the co-producer of all three movies directed by Ashraf Hamza and scripted one, ''Bheemante Vazhi.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=ചെമ്പൻ വിനോദ് ജോസ് |url=https://m3db.com/chemban-vindo-jose |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=M3DB |language=en}}</ref>
== Controversy == On 27 April 2025, Hamza along with Khalid Rahman and another person was arrested from an Apartment nearby Goshree Bridge, Kochi by Excise Department for possession of 1.63 grams of Hybrid Cannabis.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malayalam Film Directors Khalid Rahman, Ashraf Hamza Arrested For Hybrid Ganja Possession |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/malayalam-film-directors-khalid-rahman-ashraf-hamza-arrested-for-hybrid-ganja-possession-ws-l-9314848.html |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. N. M. |date=2025-04-09 |title=Thallumaala director Khalid Rahman and director Ashraf Hamza arrested with hybrid ganja |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/kerala/thallumaala-director-khalid-rahman-and-director-ashraf-hamza-arrested-with-hybrid-ganja |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=123telugu |date=2025-04-27 |title=Mollywood Shock: Directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza held in drug case |url=https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/mollywood-shock-directors-khalid-rahman-and-ashraf-hamza-held-in-drug-case.html?amp=1 |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=123telugu.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|id=10622004|name=Ashraf Hamza}}
Category:Malayalam film directors Category:Malayali people Category:Film directors from Malappuram district Category:Living people Category:Indian Muslims Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Artists from Kerala