Celebrity & VIP encounters

Every celebrity Shameem's shared a frame with.

Malayalam film stars, playback singers, political leaders and Gulf business names. Sixteen meetings, in Bahrain and across the GCC, each one met on camera and documented here with who they are and why they matter.

Cinema

Dileep

Malayalam Film Actor, Producer & Entrepreneur

Shameem met celebrated Malayalam actor Dileep during a cultural event in the Gulf, one of many moments where NK.VLOG crosses paths with Kerala's film industry on tour in the GCC.

Dileep, known as Janapriyanayakan (People's Hero), is one of Malayalam cinema's most commercially successful actors, with over 150 films across three decades including Meesha Madhavan, CID Moosa, and Kalyanaraman. He also produces films under Grand Productions and runs business interests across the Middle East and India.

More about Dileep

Politics

Shafi Parambil

Member of Parliament (Vadakara) & Former MLA

A Gulf diaspora reception brought Shameem face to face with Shafi Parambil MP, one of the community leaders NK.VLOG covers on the platform's ongoing look at Kerala's ties to the GCC.

Shafi Parambil is a Kerala political leader with the Indian National Congress. He served three terms as MLA for Palakkad (2011 to 2024) before winning the Vadakara Lok Sabha seat in 2024, and previously led the Kerala Youth Congress as State President.

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Business

M. A. Yusuff Ali

Chairman & Managing Director, LuLu Group International

NK.VLOG covers major retail and business milestones across the Gulf, which is how Shameem came to meet M. A. Yusuff Ali, Chairman of LuLu Group International.

Padma Shri M. A. Yusuff Ali is a UAE-based Indian billionaire and Chairman of LuLu Group International, which runs the LuLu Hypermarket chain and LuLu malls across the Middle East, Asia and Europe. He is among the most influential Indian business figures in the Arab world.

More about M.

Shameem (@nk.vlog_official) with Malayalam actors Lukman Avaran and Anarkali Marakar.

Cinema

Lukman Avaran & Anarkali Marakar

Malayalam Film Actors

A film promotion tour through the GCC brought modern Malayalam cinema stars Lukman Avaran and Anarkali Marakar to Bahrain, where Shameem covered the visit for NK.VLOG.

Lukman Avaran earned acclaim in Operation Java, Thallumaala, and Sulaikha Manzil. Anarkali Marakar debuted in Aanandam (2016) and went on to star in Uyare, B32 to 44, and Gaganachari. Together they represent Malayalam cinema's current generation.

More about Lukman

Music

Shajeer Koppam

Playback Singer & Mappilappattu Vocalist

After a live show in the Middle East, Shameem caught up with playback singer Shajeer Koppam, part of NK.VLOG's regular coverage of GCC concerts and South Asian musical talent.

Shajeer Koppam is a Kerala playback singer and independent artist known for his renditions of Mappilappattu, the traditional Muslim folk music of Kerala, alongside film songs and albums. His stage shows across the Gulf draw large diaspora audiences.

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Cinema

Anarkali Marakar

Malayalam Film Actress & Model

Shameem met actress Anarkali Marakar again at a separate appearance in Bahrain, part of NK.VLOG's ongoing coverage of fashion and red-carpet moments in the Gulf.

Anarkali Marakar debuted in the coming-of-age film Aanandam (2016) and went on to appear in Uyare (2019), Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham (2021), Suleikha Manzil (2023), and Gaganachari (2024). She is also recognised as a style figure and youth advocate.

More about Anarkali

Community

Sayyid Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal

Youth League State President & Community Leader

A VIP community gathering in the Gulf is where Shameem met Sayyid Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal, one of the social figures NK.VLOG features to highlight ties between Kerala and the Arab world.

Sayyid Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal is a Kerala youth and socio-religious leader from the Panakkad Pukkoya family, serving as State President of the Muslim Youth League. He is widely respected for his work in youth empowerment and interfaith harmony.

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Cinema

Hareesh Kanaran

Film Actor & Stand-up Comedian

An entertainment event in Bahrain gave Shameem a light moment on camera with comedy actor Hareesh Kanaran, one of NK.VLOG's features on Kerala's comedy and stage-show circuit.

Hareesh Kanaran, also known as Hareesh Perumanna, became a household name through the TV show Comedy Festival and his Kozhikode-dialect comic roles in films like Kunjiramayanam, Two Countries, Godha, and Shylock.

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Cinema

Nirmal Palazhi

Actor, Stage Performer & Comedian

A stage show delegation touring the GCC is where Shameem met actor Nirmal Palazhi, documenting the cultural exchange between Kerala performers and the Gulf diaspora.

Nirmal Palazhi built a following through stage mimicry and television before moving into film, appearing in Kuttymathai, Merikuutty, King Liar, and Kakshi: Amminippilla, known for his natural, relatable humour.

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Music

Shafi Kollam

Playback & Mappilappattu Singer

A musical night in Bahrain brought Shameem together with singer Shafi Kollam, part of NK.VLOG's coverage of the Gulf's South Asian live music scene.

Shafi Kollam is a Kerala playback and stage singer known for his Mappilappattu recordings and film playback work, with thousands of live performances across India, Europe, and the Middle East.

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Politics

K. B. Ganesh Kumar

Kerala Minister for Transport & Veteran Film Actor

A diaspora summit in the Middle East is where Shameem met K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Kerala's Transport Minister and a veteran of Malayalam cinema.

K. B. Ganesh Kumar is Kerala's Minister for Transport and MLA for Pathanapuram. Across a four-decade acting career spanning over 100 films since his 1985 debut in Irakal, he is known for roles in Cheppadividya, Kottayam Kunjachan, and Lal Salaam.

More about K.

Music

Vidhu Prathap

Playback Singer & TV Personality

A mega musical stage show in the GCC put Shameem alongside award-winning playback singer Vidhu Prathap, filmed as part of NK.VLOG's concert coverage.

Vidhu Prathap is a Kerala State Film Award-winning playback singer with over 1,500 songs across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada cinema, including hits from Devadoothan, Meesa Madhavan, and Runway. He also judges television music reality shows.

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Business

Yusuf Bhai

Master Perfumer, Dubai

A visit to Dubai's Deira district took Shameem to the workshop of Yusuf Bhai, part of NK.VLOG's coverage of Gulf luxury and lifestyle spots.

Yusuf Bhai (Yusuf Madappan) is a Dubai-based perfumer known for recreating designer and custom fragrances by scent alone, within minutes. His Deira store draws visitors, celebrities, and royal family members from around the world.

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Politics

Parakkal Abdulla

Former MLA & Gulf Businessman

A business networking event in the Gulf brought Shameem and former MLA Parakkal Abdulla together, part of NK.VLOG's look at Kerala's political and business ties abroad.

Parakkal Abdulla served as MLA for Kuttiadi, Kerala, from 2016 to 2021, representing the Indian Union Muslim League. He is also an established businessman with interests across the GCC.

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Cinema

Nadirshah

Film Director, Actor & Music Composer

A film celebration event in Bahrain is where Shameem met director Nadirshah, filmed for NK.VLOG's coverage of Kerala cinema in the Gulf.

Nadirshah directed the blockbuster Amar Akbar Anthony (2015), followed by Kattappanayile Rithwik Roshan, Mera Naam Shaji, and Keshu Ee Veedinte Naathan. He is also a lyricist, composer, and a pioneer of Malayalam audio parody and stage comedy.

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Music

Sooraj Santhosh

Kerala State Award-Winning Playback Singer

Shameem filmed a stop on Sooraj Santhosh's Gulf concert tour, adding another name to NK.VLOG's running list of Kerala musicians met on the road.

Sooraj Santhosh won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 2016 for Thaniye (Guppy). Formerly the co-founder and lead vocalist of the fusion band Masala Coffee, he has sung across Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu cinema.

More about Sooraj