Sarkeet star Asif Ali explains why his NRK character is relatable: 'I'm yet to get a job...'

Asif Ali, who made a terrific start to 2025 with his Rekhachithram emerging to be the first Malayalam hit of the year, is set for his next release Sarkeet. The upcoming Malayalam film is helmed by 1001 Nunakal director Thamar KV. Like Thamar’s debut film, Sarkeet is also set in the Gulf, narrating the struggles of the Malayali diaspora in the Middle East. Sarkeet’s lead star Asif Ali has now highlighted how his NRK character Ameer is very relatable to the Malayali audience.

Asif Ali on his Sarkeet character

Asif Ali’s most-awaited Malayalam film is set to release in theatres on May 8, 2025. Before the release, the lead cast and director of Sarkeet sat down for an interview with Movie World Media. Speaking about his character Ameer in Sarkeet, Asif Ali said that seeing him as a youth, struggling to get a job, is very relatable to the audience.

“It is a very relatable character to the audience. As far as the point of view of the audience is concerned, I’m yet to get a job. I am still a laid-back youth for them,” quipped Asif Ali, who charmed viewers with his boyish roles in movies such as Salt N' Pepper before transitioning into more serious characters.

Explaining further about the predicament of his NRK character in Sarkeet, Asif Ali said that the youth gets tagged as someone who is in the Gulf but is still struggling for survival. “You will get to know about the struggles of such people when you see the film,” he added.

Quoting real-life examples, Asif said that a youth, who was driving the film crew’s car, was on his third visit visa to the Gulf and looking out for a job.

The Thalavan star also pointed out that most of the director’s team, including the DOP, are from the Gulf and can therefore, portray a more realistic picture of the Malayali diaspora’s life and struggles.

Orhan, Divya Prabha of All We Imagine As Light fame, and Deepak Parambol appear in key roles in the film along with Remya Suresh and Prashanth Alexander.

Sarkeet was earlier scheduled to release in April but got postponed to May. The film, a Govind Vasantha musical, has cinematography by Aeyaz.  

Editor-actor Sangeeth Prathap, who has acted in movies such as Bromance and Premalu, has edited Sarkeet.