Shafi alias MH Rasheed was a film director who transformed a life of tears and laughter into a celebration of laughter. Needless to say, his unexpected demise at the age of fifty-seven is an irreparable loss to Malayalam cinema. Shafi, who had absorbed life experiences, did not have to go anywhere else for subjects to do films. Shafi has said that his life itself was like a movie that could be played for many reels. Countless films that Malayalis remember and laugh at are still before us with Shafi's signature. Charlie Chaplin has said that it is more difficult to make people laugh than to make them cry. Shafi never disappointed the audience who came to the theatre to forget the pressures and tensions of life.

Starting with a One Man Show, Kalyanaraman, Pulival Kalyanam, Thommanum Makkalum, Mayavi, Lollipop, Chattambinadu, Marykkundoru Kunjaadu, Two Countries... each film, like the title of Shafi's last film, gave the audience "Aanandam Paramanandam". All of them became superhits as the audience embraced them. Shafi also entered the film world following his elder brother Rafi through the path of his uncle, director Siddique, who rose to the top of Malayalam cinema with his humour from Pullepady in Kochi. Siddique was always a role model in encouraging both of them and instilling in them a completely dignified nature during the filming of films.

Rafi and Shafi's mother and Siddique were cousins. Although Siddique was their uncle, he was a brother and friend to both of them. They incorporated jokes that bloomed in the courtyards of their joint family into their films, like flowers into a garland. Shafi used to say that he has the will to fight to survive no matter how much it takes. After working in a bag manufacturing company, Shafi made his film debut as a clap boy in a film. Later, like his elder brother Rafi, he became Siddique's assistant director. Although the name of the first film he directed was 'One Man Show', in all the films, there were ideas that were discussed in the meetings of that team. Shafi and Rafi used to say that Siddique's compliments were the awards they received. They could not bear Siddique's untimely departure.

Shafi also showed great talent in giving Mammootty roles that were mixed with comedy. The combination of Mammootty, Rajan P Dev and Lal in the film Thommanum Makkalum was received with open arms by the audience. No one who saw Kalyanaraman starring Dileep would have forgotten any scene in the film. Shafi was a director who paid meticulous attention to character creation. Shafi gave Biju Menon one of the best characters of his career in the film Marykkundoru Kunjaadu. The influence of modern technology has brought about great changes in Malayalam cinema as well as in world cinema. There have been changes even in the creation of characters. Good changes are always welcome. However, some films that are presented as crime thrillers, although they make money, are full of disgusting scenes that repel those who come to the theatre with their families. That is where directors like Shafi, who make the audience laugh and think with their innocent jokes, come into play. Tributes.