Shamzu Zayba: From School Dramas to Emotion-Driven Cinema
Born and brought up in Malappuram, Shamzu Zayba’s journey into cinema began not with a camera but with a deep love for storytelling and performance. He completed his schooling in Malappuram, where his fascination with cinema quietly grew alongside his academic life. Films were notThe story of Abhilasham evolved through extensive discussions on various subjects
and ideas with writer jenith kachappilly. The core concept is
inspired by a real-life incident rooted in the place he comes from. This grounding in
lived experience gave the film its authenticity just entertainment for him they were a dream, an emotion and a world he wanted to belong to.
His first real exposure to the performing arts came during his school days through theatre. Initially, Shamzu explored acting on stage, immersing himself in characters and performances. However, a turning point arrived when he directed a school play. That experience changed his perspective entirely. While acting helped him understand emotions, directing revealed his true strength shaping performances, guiding narratives and bringing stories together as a whole. It was then that he realized direction was something he was genuinely good at and more importantly, something he deeply enjoyed.
Cinema had always been his passion, and this realization pushed him closer to it. During his college days, Shamzu began making short films, experimenting with storytelling, visuals, and emotional depth. These projects allowed him to understand the practical side of filmmaking while refining his voice as a storyteller. While pursuing his postgraduate studies, he took a professional step forward by working actively with film crews. This phase became crucial in shaping his understanding of the industry from on set discipline to collaborative filmmaking and marked the true beginning of his journey in cinema.
Shamzu made his debut in feature films directly, a rare and defining step in his career. His association with Maniyarayile Ashokan (2020) proved to be life-changing. The film became the bridge that transformed him from a film aspirant into a filmmaker. The experience gave him confidence, industry exposure, and a sense of belonging within Malayalam cinema. More than just a project, Maniyarayile Ashokan laid the foundation for his future as a director and storyteller.
Following this, he became part of Madhuram Jeevamruthabindu (2025), an anthology film featuring four directors and four distinct stories. Shamzu directed Jessie, a 30-minute segment within the anthology. The film allowed him to further explore intimate emotions and character driven storytelling within a concise format. Working within an anthology also sharpened his narrative precision, as every moment had to carry emotional weight and purpose.
From this creative phase emerged Abhilasham, a project that holds a special place in his journey. His connection with the film’s music director, Sreehari, played a significant role both were close friends, and their shared creative wavelength helped shape the film organically. Abhilasham officially became Shamzu Zayba’s second feature film as a director, starring Saiju Kurup.
The story of Abhilasham evolved through extensive discussions on various subjects and ideas with writer Jenith kachappilly. The core concept is inspired by a real-life incident rooted in the place he comes from. This grounding in lived experience gave the film its authenticity. Though Abhilasham is essentially a love story, it goes beyond surface level romance. The songs, described as delightful and emotionally resonant, were crafted with great effort by the lyricist, ensuring that the music enhanced the film’s emotional depth rather than merely decorating it.
Shamzu is particularly drawn to exploring emotions in cinema. He believes cinema itself is an emotion, and his strength lies in how deeply he connects with it. His approach focuses on planting characters carefully, allowing their emotions, silences and internal conflicts to unfold naturally. Rather than forcing drama, he lets feelings breathe on screen, creating stories that resonate quietly but powerfully with the audience.
Alongside filmmaking, Shamzu Zayba is also an entrepreneur. He runs his own company, Peapod, an advertising agency that specializes in branding and campaign creation. Interestingly, he started Peapod while working on Abhilasham, balancing both creative worlds simultaneously. The company reflects his broader understanding of visual communication and storytelling beyond cinema.
Looking ahead, Shamzu is currently working on upcoming projects, each belonging to different genres. This phase signals his intent to explore varied Narratives and expand his creative range, while staying rooted in emotional Authenticity.
From school theatre to feature films, from short films to emotionally rich cinema, Shamzu Zayba’s journey is defined by passion, patience, and a deep connection to storytelling. His work reflects his belief that cinema is not just seen but felt.
Filmography
Maniyarayile Ashokan (2020)
Madhuram Jeevamruthabindu (2025)
Abhilasham (2025)
