When Coolie hits theatres tomorrow (August 14), all eyes will be on Rajinikanth -- as they should be. But quietly stealing into the spotlight is Soubin Shahir, a former assistant director from Fort Kochi who once stood behind the camera adjusting props, and now finds himself dancing alongside superstars and playing a mysterious, possibly villainous role in Tamil cinema’s most anticipated action thriller.

It’s not just a supporting part -- it’s a full-circle moment for an accidental actor whose unlikely journey from the shadows of Malayalam film sets to national acclaim has all the makings of a movie in itself.

WATCH | Coolie trailer: Rajinikanth returns in high-octane action drama

How did his journey in Cinema begin?

Soubin’s roots in film run deep. Growing up in Fort Kochi, he was surrounded by the craft and chaos of filmmaking thanks to his father, Babu Shahir, a long-time assistant director and production controller who worked on Malayalam classics like Manichithrathazhu and Godfather. While many star kids dream of the spotlight, Soubin’s fascination was always behind the camera.

By his early 20s, he was already assisting some of the industry’s finest — Fazil, Siddique, Amal Neerad, Rajeev Ravi, Rafi–Mecartin, Santhosh Sivan. He was everywhere, learning the mechanics of cinema in an era when edits were glued together with cellotape and directors judged shots by peering through the camera lens.

Did he always want to be an actor?

Acting wasn’t part of his life’s plan. In fact, Soubin resisted it until friends insisted he give it a try.

His first appearance came in Rajeev Ravi’s ‘Annayum Rasoolum’ (2013), where his grasp of Kochi slang made him a natural fit for a small role. What followed was a string of quirky cameos -- the naïve Crispin in ‘Maheshinte Prathikaaram’, the eccentric PT Master in ‘Premam’, the petty thief in ‘Charlie’. These weren’t lead roles, but Soubin’s comic timing, distinctive dialogue delivery, and lived-in mannerisms made them unforgettable.

What set Soubin apart was not just his talent for humor but a subtle layering of nuance that made even minor characters feel fully fleshed and memorable. Audiences started tuning in, eagerly waiting for his next appearance, often stealing scenes and hearts with the ease of a natural storyteller.

Director at heart, actor by destiny?

His directorial debut Parava (2017) surprised many -- a poignant slice-of-life tale set in his own Fort Kochi neighbourhood, seamlessly blending multiple generations of friendship through the backdrop of pigeon racing. It proved he wasn’t just an actor who could hold a frame; he could craft one too.He even wrote the story for ‘Parava’.

But it was ‘Sudani from Nigeria’ (2018) that redefined him as a performer. Playing Majeed, a small-town football manager in Malappuram, Soubin shed his comedic skin for a role layered with vulnerability and compassion. The performance earned him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor, cementing his position as one of Malayalam cinema’s most versatile talents.

From the deeply empathetic Saji in ‘Kumbalangi Nights’ to the simple-hearted titular character in ‘Ambili’, from the tech-savvy son in ‘Android Kunjappan Version 5.25’ to ensemble hits like ‘Romancham’ and ‘Manjummel Boys’, Soubin has shown an ability to inhabit characters across the spectrum -- comic, tragic, menacing, or quietly humane.

Industry insiders often call him “irreplaceable,” not because of box-office pull, but because his characters feel impossible to recast. His performances blur the line between actor and role, often driven by instinct and subtle improvisations that make scenes unexpectedly real.

Coolie and the Tamil debut

Now, Soubin is stepping onto a larger stage. In ‘Coolie’, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, he plays Dayal -- a character shrouded in secrecy but rumoured to be an antagonist. His fiery dance moves alongside Pooja Hegde in the viral “Monica” song have already turned heads, and even Rajinikanth himself admitted to being blown away by Soubin’s screen presence after initial doubts.

ALSO READ | Rajinikanth praises Soubin in Coolie; ‘What an actor, hats off to you’ 

The role marks Soubin’s Tamil cinema debut, placing him in a high-octane action thriller alongside the likes of Nagarjuna, Sathyaraj, and Shruti Haasan.

Despite the accolades, Soubin remains refreshingly unaffected by stardom. He still talks about filmmaking as a collaborative craft, is happy to assist directors he once worked under, and values stories over image. Married to marketing professional Jamia Zaheer and a doting father to their young son, he keeps his personal life away from the glare, allowing his work to speak for itself.

Malayalam cinema’s new wave thrives on authenticity -- stories rooted in everyday life, characters that feel lived in. Few actors embody this spirit as fully as Soubin Shahir. Whether he’s delivering a laugh-out-loud punchline, breaking your heart in silence, or sharing the screen with a legend like Rajinikanth, there’s a rare honesty in his craft.

As Coolie gears up for release, Soubin’s journey feels like it has come full circle — from the boy adjusting lights on crowded Malayalam film sets to a performer holding his ground in one of Indian cinema’s biggest spectacles of the year.

If cinema is a place where stories find their rightful heroes, then Soubin Shahir isn’t just playing a role -- he’s claiming the spotlight he never chased, but undeniably earned.

(With agency inputs)