Malayalam superstar Fahadh Faasil reveals his dream post-retirement job: 'Would enjoy being a cab driver'

Economic Times

3 days ago

Synopsis
Fahadh Faasil, a celebrated Malayalam actor, dreams of a simple retirement as a ride-share driver in Barcelona, finding meaning in transporting people. He also embraces tech minimalism, using a vintage Vertu phone to structure his time and reduce digital distractions. Despite his retirement aspirations, Fahadh remains active in cinema, with recent and upcoming projects in multiple languages.
Agencies Fahadh Faasil's Unusual Dream Beyond Stardom Among the most celebrated names in Malayalam cinema, Fahadh Faasil continues to captivate audiences with his versatile acting. Despite his thriving film career, the actor has a retirement dream that surprises many—he wishes to become a ride-share driver in Barcelona, Spain. In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India , Fahadh opened up about this unconventional aspiration. According to him, once the public loses interest in his films, he hopes to settle in Barcelona and spend his days driving people around as a cab driver.During the interview, he was asked if this quirky goal still resonated with him, and he confirmed that it did. Recalling a recent trip to the Spanish city, Fahadh spoke about how simply transporting someone from one place to another feels meaningful to him. It's not just about being behind the wheel—it's about watching people reach their destinations."It'll only happen after people are done with me, you know? I mean, jokes apart, but just to drive someone from one place to another. At least, witnessing someone's destination, I think that's a beautiful thing.." he stated. Fahadh admitted that whenever he gets the opportunity, he still engages in similar experiences just for personal peace. Whether it's driving, playing a sport, or watching a favorite show, these moments offer him clarity and a refreshing outlook on life.This isn't the first time Fahadh has shared his post-retirement fantasy. Back in 2020, during a discussion with Indian Express , the actor had declared that nothing sounded more appealing to him than driving a cab in Spain."As of now, there is nothing else that I would enjoy doing other than being an Uber driver. I would love to drive people around..." he told IF. He had even shared this vision with his wife, actress Nazriya Nazim. According to him, the couple both found charm in the simplicity of such a life—trading stardom for solitude and routine.In the same THR India interview, Fahadh also talked about his unusual choice in technology. He has been using an old-school mobile device—often called a 'dumb phone'—for the past year. While he isn't completely off the grid, he shared that the goal is to eventually become reachable only through email. Although he doubts that complete digital detachment is possible, he has been trying to create a disciplined routine around screen time. He emphasized that since most information is also available on laptops or tablets, carrying a less smart device helps create intentional breaks from online distractions.Fahadh explained that this choice was not about rejecting technology altogether, but rather about structuring his time better. He admitted that although he hasn't perfected the system, the intention is to form defined time slots for checking emails, responding to messages, and even waking up in a timely fashion.Social media influencer Effin M identified the actor's phone as a Vertu Ascent Ti, a premium handset first launched in 2008. Built with titanium, hand-stitched leather, and sapphire crystal components, the phone originally sold for ₹5.54 lakh. Although no longer manufactured, pre-owned versions of the device can still be found online, priced between ₹1 and ₹1.5 lakh.Despite his talk of retirement, Fahadh remains deeply active in the film world. His recent appearances include Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu hits such as Aavesham, Bougainvillea, Vettaiyan, and Pushpa 2: The Rule. His latest release, Maareesan, directed by Sudheesh Shankar and featuring comedian Vadivelu, hit theatres on July 25. Looking ahead, the actor has several Malayalam films in the pipeline, including Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira, Karate Chandran, and Patriot, along with a Telugu film titled Don't Trouble The Trouble.