Shanavas Shanu

Shanu was born in Manjeri, Malappuram. He studied at NSS College Manjeri. His mother's name is Mymoona. He has two younger sisters named Shanna and Jimsha Sheri. His father died at a very young age. He is married to Sona and has two children.^[2]

Shanu made his television debut in 2010, playing the lead role opposite Nithya Das in Indraneelam. He rose to fame by playing the villainous hero Rudhran in Kumkumapoovu and became a household name among the Malayali audience.^[3]

From 2017 to 2019, he played Indran in Seetha.^[4] His on-screen chemistry with Swasika^[5] created controversy among the younger audience. The pair were known as #Seethendriyam^[6] on social networking sites.

In 2018, he debuted as a lead hero in a Malayalam film titled Police Junior, which won him the New Face Award at the Adoor Bhasi Awards in 2019.^{[citation needed]} In 2019, he appeared in the television shows Alliyambal^[7] and Thamarathumbi.^[8]

He is also a prominent figure in television shows like Star Magic^[9] on Flowers TV and Thakarppan Comedy on Mazhavil Manorama.^{[citation needed]}

In Bigg Boss Malayalam season 7, he became the subject of controversy over his remarks on female contestants’ clothing. He advised fellow participant Gizele Thakral to "dress modestly," stating that such presentation was necessary to gain love and votes from the Malayali audience.^[20]

The statement drew criticism on social media and in the press, especially when he nominated Gizele for eviction due to this dressing reason with many accusing him of endorsing regressive cultural norms. Netizens labelled him a "Kulapurushan," a Malayalam colloquial term for a conservative, narrow-minded man.^[21]