Long before Fahadh Faasil became one of Malayalam cinema’s most celebrated actors, his life took an unexpected turn because of an event thousands of kilometres away. The September 11, 2001, terror attacks in the United States delayed his plans to move abroad after Class XII and left him spending several months without a clear idea about his future. What initially appeared to be a frustrating delay eventually became an important part of his journey.

How 9/11 delayed Fahadh Faasil’s US education plans

In a 2024 interview with Onmanorama, Fahadh Faasil recalled that he had applied for scholarships in the US immediately after completing Class XII. However, the plans were put on hold following the 9/11 attacks. “I applied for scholarships in the USA, immediately after I completed my Class XII. However, this got delayed due to the September 11 terror attacks,” he said. With Fahadh staying at home for the next four to five months, his mother became concerned about his plans. He eventually joined SD College in Alappuzha and studied there for a year before finally moving to the US.

Fahadh Faasil says six years in the US changed his life

Fahadh Faasil’s time in America eventually lasted six years and became a major turning point in his life. He initially went there on a scholarship to study engineering but dropped the course after two years after realising it was not the right path for him. He then chose to study Philosophy after discussing the decision with his parents. Looking back, Fahadh Faasil has said that he often divides his life into two phases: before and after his US stay. The experience exposed him to new people, books and world cinema, and gradually changed the way he looked at life and films.

How Fahadh Faasil returned to cinema after US stay

Interestingly, Fahadh Faasil’s decision to return to India was also connected to his renewed interest in acting. His debut film, ‘Kaiyethum Doorath,’ failed at the box office, and he left India just two days after its release. At one point, he believed he might spend the rest of his life in the US and return to India only for holidays. But his six-year stay changed that outlook. “Those six years made me want to come back and do a movie,” Fahadh Faasil said. What began as a decision to make “one more film” eventually became a remarkable acting career spanning dozens of movies.On the work front, Fahadh Faasil is set to be seen in the Telugu film ‘Don’t Trouble The Trouble,’ directed by Shashank Yeleti, with Baby Ssara Palekar and Saurabh Sachdeva also part of the cast.