Salim Ahamed is an Indian film director, screen writer and producer. After working for a long time as a travel consultant, he joined as a creative director and script writer in a television channel. His directorial debut, Adaminte Makan Abu (2011), fetched him numerous accolades and was screened at various international film festivals. It was also chosen as India's official entry to be considered for nomination in the Best Foreign Film category for the 84th Academy Awards. Salim's second project was titled Kunjananthante Kada starring Mammootty released on 30 August 2013.

Biography

Early life and family
Salim Ahamed was born on 1 October 1970 in Mattannur, Kerala, as the son of Ahamed Kutty and Asya Umma. He graduated in Commerce from Mattannur Pazhassiraja NSS College, and obtained a professional diploma in Travel and Tourism. Upon graduating from college in early 2000s, Salim dreamed of joining the film industry but found it hard to break into and ended up a travel consultant. For his passion, he joined the School of Drama in Thrissur, Kerala. He worked as a Creative Director and Script Writer with Surya TV and then worked in films such as Saphalyam as an Assistant Director. His notable works as a television director include Rasikaraja No.1, a comedy programme telecast in Surya TV.

Salim is married to Maheeda. Thy have two sons, Alan Zahar and Amal Zahar.


Adaminte Makan Abu

He made his feature film debut with Adaminte Makan Abu, a story he had entertained in his mind for many years. It was the stories he heard and the people he met during his days as a travel agent that sowed the seeds for Adaminte Makan Abu. The film portrayed the story of a poor attar (a kind of perfume) seller Abu whose only remaining wish in life is the Hajj pilgrimage, which he strives hard to fulfill, and at the verge of the fulfillment, he opts out when he fears that the means is not fully legitimate. Salim himself co-produced the film, and had to spend every rupee raised from what he had saved up over the years working on scripts for television serials and assisting directors to complete the film. The film opened to critical acclaim and fetched numerous honours including four National Film Awards and four Kerala State Film Awards.

The film was screened at various international film festivals: 55th BFI London Film Festival, MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, 8th South Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF), 42nd International Film Festival of India, 5th Indo-German Film Festival, 17th Kolkata Film Festival, 16th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), and 23rd Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF), and 8th Dubai International Film Festival.


Other projects
Salim had written three basic plots during his college days. One was based in a local school in Kerala, one was a thriller, and the third was the story of Abu. He decided to film Adaminte Makan Abu as a number of people liked the story line; he wanted his first film to have a message and to be impressive. It was reported that he had started the pre-production works of the one based in the local school, as well as was planning to bring the story of Travancore king Marthanda Varma on big screen. However, none of the projects materialised.

Salim officially announced his next project in September 2012. The project was titled Kunjananthante Kada and starred Mammootty in the lead role. The film started production in February 2013 and released in theatres in August 2013.