Abu Salim (actor)

Abu Salim was born as the second son among six children to Kunhammed and Fathima at Kalpetta in Wayanad district. He had his primary education from S. K. M. J. High School, Kalpetta.^{[citation needed]}

Salim developed an interest in bodybuilding after being inspired by the work of actor and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, whom he considers his role model. He has won several bodybuilding titles, including Mr. Calicut in 1981, Mr. Kerala in 1982, Mr. South India three times (in 1983, 1986, and 1987), and Mr. India twice (in 1984 and 1992). He served as a sub-inspector in the Kerala Police and retired in 2012.^[2] Salim has trained in some kalaripayattu and holds a black belt in shotokan-style karate.^[3]

Salim made his film debut in 1978 with Rajan Paranja Kadha. He played a significant role in the Ranjith-directed Prajapathi. In the 2015 crime film Loham, he portrayed a character inspired by the looks of Dwayne Johnson, which was a departure from his usual roles, as it was a positive character. In the same year, he played Stalin Mammali, the father of Jayasurya's character, in the comedy film Amar Akbar Anthony, performing a humorous character.^[2]

He married Ummukulsu on 23 May 1982.^[4] The couple has a daughter, Sabitha and a son, Sanu Salim. His daughter lives in Wollongong, Australia with her husband and children. His son runs a restaurant in Kalpetta, a media studio in Kozhikode and a packet food manufacturing company in Kochi.^{[citation needed]}