Transport Minister and actor K B Ganesh Kumar said late director Shafi was like a brother to him. In a Facebook post, Ganesh Kumar said that he was shocked hearing the demise of Shafi. He said Shafi was a hard-working artist and a director who made Malayalees laugh and think a lot.

'Shafi was an artist who was capable of giving many more films that make us laugh and think. Many artists who gave us good films have left us in recent times. This will always be a loss for the Malayalees. Condolences,’ Ganesh Kumar said in the post.

Many celebrities paid tributes to Shafi. Actor Dileep also shared an emotional note about Shafi. Dileep said that he was the hero in all three of Shafi's superhit films and that he was like a brother to him.

'Shafi has gone. The director of three films in which I acted as the hero, three superhit films. However, our relationship was beyond that, as Rafi's brother and as Rafi Mecartin's assistant director, Shafi's place was above that, he was like a brother. I am not able to pen more. His demise is at time when discussions are underway for a new film in which we were collaborating. Condolences to my dear colleague, friend and brother,' wrote Dileep.

Shafi died while undergoing treatment for brain hemorrhage at Aster Medcity in Ernakulam, since January 16. He will be laid to rest at 4 pm after the public homage in Kaloor.

Shafi was born at Pullepady in Ernakulam in 1968. Rafi of Rafi-Mecartin is Shafi’s elder brother. Shafi entered the film industry in 1990 as an associate director in Rajasenan's and Rafi Mecartin's films. He made his directorial debut with the film One Man Show in 2001. He has directed 18 films including Anandam Paramanandam, his last film released in 2022.