Aryadan Shoukath
Aryadan Shoukath | |
|---|---|
 Aryadan Shoukath in 2026 | |
| Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 23 June 2025 | |
| Preceded by | P. V. Anvar |
| Constituency | Nilambur |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 March 1965 |
| Party | Indian National Congress |
| Parent(s) | Aryadan Muhammed (father), Mariyumma (mother) |
| Occupation | MLA Nilambur
|
Known for | Social-themed cinema, political activism |
Awards | National Film Award Kerala State Film Awards |
Aryadan Shoukath (born 4 March 1965) is an Indian politician from the Indian National Congress, currently serving as the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) representing the Nilambur Assembly constituency.[1][2][3] He was elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly in the Nilambur Legislative Assembly by-election held on June 19, 2025, defeating M. Swaraj of the CPM.[4]
He is also an award winning screen writer and film producer of Malayalam films.[5]
Early life and education
[edit]Shoukath was born in Nilambur, in the Malappuram district of Kerala, to Aryadan Muhammed, a prominent Congress leader and former Minister for Electricity and Transport (Government of Kerala) in the Oommen Chandy Ministry, and Mariyumma. His family's involvement in politics had a significant influence on his career path from an early age. He is known to be married with children. He has an active social media presence, including on Instagram.[6] He is a degree holder in Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Zoology from Mar Ivanios College.
He was active in student politics through the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the student wing of the Indian National Congress and became the School leader at Nilambur Government Manavedan High School.[7]
Political career
[edit]Shoukath has been an active member of the Indian National Congress. He contested the 2005 Kerala local elections and won at Pathippara Gram panchayat election, defeating Prakash Arimbra of CPM.[8] He contested the 2016 Kerala Legislative Assembly election from Nilambur but lost to P.V. Anvar by 11,504 votes.[9] Earlier, he served as chairman of Nilambur municipality and held various local governance positions. He was also the General Secretary of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). In January 2025, he was involved in a public dispute with P.V. Anvar, defending his political standing within the party.[10] In June 2025 by-elections in Kerala, he defeated CPI(M)'s M Swaraj by 11,077 votes to win the Nilambur Assembly constituency.[11]
2025 by-election
[edit]By political party
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INC | Aryadan Shoukath | 77,737 | 44.17 |  1.17 | |
| CPI(M) | M. Swaraj | 66,660 | 37.88 | 9.02 | |
| AITC | P. V. Anvar | 19,760 | 11.23 |  11.23 | |
| BJP | Mohan George | 8,648 | 4.91 | 0.05 | |
| SDPI | Sadik Naduthodi | 2,075 | 1.18 | 0.71 | |
| NOTA | None of the above | 630 | 0.36 | ||
| Majority | 11,077 | 6.29 | |||
| Turnout | 175,989 | 75.27% | |||
| INC gain from Independent | Swing | ||||
Political positions held
[edit]Source [7]
- KSU Ernad Taluk Secretary
- Youth Congress Malappuram District secretary
- Malappuram DCC President
- KPCC General Secretary
Other positions held
[edit]Source [7]
- Kerala Deshiya Vedhi District president
- Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati raj Sangathan national convener
- Nilambur Grama panchayat president - (2005-2010)
- Nilambur Municipality chairman - (2010-2015)
Controversies
[edit]In November 2023, he faced disciplinary action for organizing a pro-Palestine rally contrary to party directives.[12]
Film career
[edit]Shoukath entered the film industry as a producer and screenwriter with the film Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam in 2003, where he critiqued the treatment of girls' education within the Muslim community. This film was not only commercially successful but also critically acclaimed, earning him the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare.[4]
He continued to produce and write:
- **Vilapangalkkappuram** (2008) - A narrative about a girl's escape from the anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat.[4] - **Daivanamathil** (2005) - Addressing issues of religious extremism. - **Varthamanam** (2021) - Tackling contemporary socio-political issues.
His films are recognized for their social commentary, aiming to enlighten and reform through storytelling.
Awards and recognition
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Nilambur bypoll election result: UDF wrests back Assembly seat in Kerala with resounding win". The Hindu. 23 June 2025. Archived from the original on 24 June 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- ↑ "Nilambur bypoll election result 2025". Election Commission of India. 23 June 2025. Archived from the original on 24 June 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
- 1 2 "Assembly bypoll results highlights: Congress wins Nilambur; AAP wins a seat each in Gujarat, Punjab; Trinamool bags Bengal's Kaliganj; BJP retains Kadi in Gujarat". The Hindu. 23 June 2025. Archived from the original on 23 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 "സാംസ്കാരിക 'ന്യായകർ' ആര്യാടൻ ഷൗക്കത്തിനെ കാണാതെ പോയതിന്റെ കാരണം ഇപ്പോഴാണ് മനസ്സിലായത് -ഡോ. എസ്.എസ്. ലാൽ". Madhyamam. 15 June 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ↑ "Clean sweep by alternate cinema". The New Indian Express. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ↑ "Aryadan Shoukath - Instagram". Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- 1 2 3 "നിലമ്പൂരിന്റെ രണ്ടാം ആര്യാടൻ; ഷൗക്കത്തിലുണ്ട്, നിലമ്പൂരിന്റെ മേൽവിലാസം". Manorama Online. 27 May 2025. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ↑ "State Election Commission Kerala - Detailed Election Results-2005- Malappuram". Sec.Kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 29 March 2026.
- ↑ "Kerala: Congress wrests Nilambur from CPI(M) after nine years in assembly bypoll". Deccan Herald. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2026.
- ↑ "Anvar's jibe at Aryadan Shoukath". Mathrubhumi. 12 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ↑ "Congress defeats CPIM by over 11,000 votes in Kerala's Nilambur Assembly bypoll". India Today. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
- ↑ "Kerala: Aryadan Shoukath to appear before Congress disciplinary panel on November 6". The New Indian Express. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
- ↑ "എടോ ഷൗക്കത്ത്, തന്റെ സിനിമ നല്ലതാണെന്നു പലരും പറഞ്ഞു, എനിക്കു കണ്ടാൽ കൊള്ളാമെന്നുണ്ട്'; വിഎസ് ഫോണിൽ പറഞ്ഞു". Manorama Online. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2026.