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Siddique (Director) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth1 August 1960

Age63 Years (at time of death)

BirthplaceKochi, Kerala, India

ProfessionFilmmaker

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried (at time of death)

SpouseSajitha

FamilyThree daughters: Sumaya, Sara, Sukoon

Siddique (Director) Biography

Siddique Ismail was an influential Malayalam filmmaker — director, writer, producer and occasional actor — best known for his work as part of the Siddique–

Early life and background

Siddique Ismail was born on 1 August 1960 in Kochi, Kerala. He grew up in a Muslim family and attended St. Paul’s College, Kalamassery, Kochi. Before moving into films he worked as a clerk at Darul Uloom VHSS in Ernakulam.

Career

Siddique’s entry into entertainment came through mimicry at Cochin Kalabhavan, where he performed alongside Lal. Their performances drew the attention of filmmaker Fazil, who took both of them on as assistant directors. Siddique and Lal later formed a successful creative partnership known as Siddique-Lal and built a reputation in Malayalam cinema with a string of popular films.

Siddique made his mark as a writer early on, with script and story credits that included Pappan Priyappetta Pappan (1986) in Malayalam and, later, the Tamil version of Friends (2001). He transitioned into direction with films such as Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), a title that became one of the duo’s notable early successes.

After the split of Siddique-Lal, Siddique continued as an individual director, writer and producer. His solo directorial work includes Chronic Bachelor (2003), Bodyguard (2010, Malayalam) and Bhaskar the Rascal (2015). He remained active across languages, writing and directing in Tamil cinema as well with films like Sadhu Miranda (2008), Kaavalan (2011) and Bhaskar Oru Rascal (2018). In 2011 he also wrote and directed the Telugu film Maaro. Siddique’s Bodyguard (2010) later served as the basis for a 2011 Hindi remake, which he directed and wrote, starring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

Across his career he contributed not only behind the camera but also appeared on screen in cameo roles in several films, including Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu (1984), Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal (1986), Manathe Kottaram (1994), Gulumaal: The Escape (2009), Masterpiece (2017) and Innale Vare (2022). He also co-produced films such as Fukri (2017) and Big Brother (2020). His last film credits as director, scriptwriter and story writer include the Malayalam film Big Brother (2020).

Awards and recognition

Siddique’s work received institutional recognition during his career. In 1991 the Malayalam film Godfather was honored with the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value. In 2012 he was awarded Most Promising Director at the Zee Cine Awards for the Hindi film Bodyguard.

Public profile

Siddique was known personally for a calm and unassuming demeanor. He married Sajitha on 6 May 1984; the couple were first cousins. They had three daughters: Sumaya, Sara and Sukoon. Siddique’s parents were Ismail Haji and Zainaba. He stood approximately 175 cm tall and had black hair and black eyes.

Later years and death

In the months before his death Siddique had been receiving treatment for liver-related issues. He died of a cardiac arrest on 8 August 2023 at Amrita Hospital in Kochi, aged 63.

Latest updates

Siddique’s body of work spans writing, directing, producing and acting across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films. His most recent listed directorial and writing credit is the Malayalam film Big Brother (2020).
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Recent Work

Big Brother

Last listed film credited as director, scriptwriter and story writer (Malayalam, 2020).

2020
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Career Highlights

  1. Began in mimicry at Cochin Kalabhavan and worked as an assistant director under Fazil
  2. Formed the filmmaking duo Siddique-Lal; notable early success Ramji Rao Speaking (1989)
  3. Directed and wrote films across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, including Bodyguard (2010 Malayalam; 2011 Hindi remake)
  4. Received Kerala State Film Award recognition for Godfather (1991) and Zee Cine Award (Most Promising Director) for Bodyguard (2012)
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Siddique (Director) born?

1 August 1960

What is Siddique (Director) known for?

Filmmaker

What is Siddique (Director)’s marital status?

Married (at time of death)

Who is Siddique (Director) married to?

Sajitha