KOCHI: The film industry bid a tearful adieu to Shafi, the director and screenwriter, best known for directing comedies and who had never failed to make his audience laugh. His mortal remains were interred at the Karukappilly Juma Masjid cemetery in Ernakulam. He had been undergoing treatment at Aster Medcity in Ernakulam since January 16 following brain hemorrhage and passed away at around 12.25 am today.

His real name was M H Rasheed. He was 57 years old. He was on ventilator. He was subjected to an emergency brain surgery but still his life could not be saved. There was a public homage in Kaloor from 10 am. Actors Mammootty, Prithviraj, Manoj K Jayan, Shammi Thilakan, Manikuttan, Siddique, Lal, Vineeth, actresses Jomol, Ponnamma Babu, directors Sibi Malayil, B Unnikrishnan and many others paid their last respects to the beloved director.

Rafi of the directorial duo Rafi-Mecartin, who have captured the hearts of people with their numerous comedy films in Malayalam, is the elder brother of Shafi. Siddique of Siddique-Lal is his close relative. Shafi entered the film industry in 1990 as an assistant director in Rajasenan and Rafi-Mecartin's films. He made his directorial debut in 2001 with the film One Man Show.

He has directed 18 films, including the last one released in 2022, Anandam Paramanandam. Dileep's film Kalyanaraman is one of the superhit films he has directed.
Thommanum Makkalum, Pulival Kalyanam, Mayavi etc. were also his hit films. He has also directed the Tamil film Maja.