Amir Naqvi, Sports Editor

When you are pursuing your passion, it is important to bear in mind that resilience is key, because the pursuit of passion is an ongoing—and challenging— process.

Epitomising it is Basheer Silsila, who progressed from being a guitarist and participant in school dramas to a Mollywood star.

Mollywood is referred to Malayalam cinema, a sector of the colourful Indian film industry.

With six music albums, 50 song compositions, acting stints in eight short films and starring role in three feature films on his CV, Basheer Silsila is a renowned name in the South Indian entertainment industry.

Starting his career as a primary teacher in the southern Indian state of Kerala, which is known as God’s Own Country, Basheer Silsila arrived in Dubai in the year 1994 in search of greener pastures.

Opportunity came knocking as, after toiling for a few days, he landed an administrative job with Dubai Real Estate Centre (DREC).

Eight years later in 2002, major breakthrough in his career came when he was asked to assist manager Shareef Al Halwani in Jebel Ali Racecourse operations.

Switching from administrative duties to coordinating races, Basheer made rapid and confident strides, thanks to the unflinching support from Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, owner of Dubai Real Estate Centre and Jebel Ali Racecourse, and Halwani, Manager of Jebel Ali Racecourse.

Despite his initial hesitance, Basheer has made a name for himself in one of the UAE’s top sport — horse racing.

“Without Halwani’s support, the switch from Dubai Real Estate Centre to Jebel Ali Racecourse would have not been possible, said Basheer Silsila.

Known as the man behind the scenes at Jebel Ali Raceourse, Basheer Silsila coordinates with sponsors and plays an important role in facilitating the Jebel Ali and Shadwell Farm races across the globe during the season.

The neigh of horses and the pressure of work, though, have failed to distance him from his passion for music and acting.

With his wife Rameena, with whom he fell in love while working together in a same school, deciding to stay back in India, Basheer Silsila used his free time after work hours to the maximum.

To exhibit his musical talent and to provide a platform for aspiring musicians, he floated a group in the year 2000 known as Silsila Art Lovers Dubai. Soon it attracted 300 members from across the UAE.

Basheer Silsila’s first break into movies came through a short film called Female 4 Sale, which was shot and released in the UAE.

“It was a complete surprise for me as my friend from India came to shoot the movie at my house in Jumeriah. Later, he asked me to act and that’s how I stepped into the acting world,” said Silsila.

Establishing himself in a field where thousands of aspiring actors struggle to even get a small role, Silsila’s theatre skills helped in pulling off different characters he essayed in dozens of hit films.

“During my college days I used to play guitar and take part in dramas. Basically my inclination towards music and acting started from there,” said Basheer Silsila.

From working in the school plays to doing theatre in Kerala, his inclination towards the silver screen never came in the way of his career.

After coming to Dubai, the passion took a backseat for sometime. The movie Female 4 Sale proved a milestone for him and he never looked back since and played a lead role in the much acclaimed Sulaimanii.

Vaappachikadha, Congo 1959, Lovelolica, Last Day of Anna, Moorcha and Desert Safari helped Basheer Silsila cementing his place in the industry. He also donned the hat of producer for two movies named as Oridathoru Poastman and Sameer. Both the movies did well in the theatre.

The Keralite also composed about 50 songs for six music albums which were released both in India and UAE.

“Acting is my passion. I love doing films and singing. Despite my hectic schedule, I manage to ensure time to keep my passion intact,” he said.

Apart from this, he has also produced half-a-dozen music albums.

He is also working as a president of two organisations, Thaneer Panthal and Silsila Arts Club.

Thaneer Panthal was floated 11-years ago and is now currently supporting people during the coronavirus pandemic which has the world reeling under the crisis.

Besides acting, Basheer Silsila also wrote a book of short stories titled ‘Mazha Charum Idavazhiyil’ which was launched at the prestigious Sharjah International Book Fair last year.