Actor Abi who died on Thursday will be seen on the silver screen in his last movie Karutha Suryan to be released on December 8. Directed by EVM Ali, the film will see Abi essaying the role of an assistant music director.
The film tells the story of friendship and will feature two new faces - Muhammed Shah and Rishad in lead roles.
Speaking exclusively to Onmanorama, Ali recalled his experience of directing Abi and wondered why the Malayalam film industry failed to tap the potential of such a talented actor.
"He is talent personified. He portrays nuances with such finesse and that it's good to see him act. He came to showbiz so early. With so many virtues as an actor he was unable to leave a mark in cinema and gain a position he deserved,” Ali said.
However, Ali was elated at being able to do at least one film with the 'impersonator' actor.
"I'm happy that I could do a film with him. But at the same time, it's so painful to realize that he is no more with us. Only with deepest grief and remorse can I recall the last wish he had revealed to me just six days ahead of his his death. He had said that he wished to do a film with his son Shane Nigam where he played the father and Shane, his son," Ali said.
“Abi used to be so calm and composed on the sets and never displayed any discomfort of his illness. I knew about his physical condition very late from a friend, but never talked to him about it lest it would annoy him. He was so enthusiastic about the project even when he arrived for dubbing,” Ali said. “We talked to each other only days ago for promotional activities of the film,” he added.
Abi is said to have conveyed so often that the character he did in Karutha Suryan was something he had wished to do for so long.
Ali, a native of Palakkad, is all ready for his next venture based on a love story.