Shaam

Shamshuddin Ibrahim, known professionally as Shaam is a Tamil film actor and model. Starting his career as a professional model, he soon made his acting debut in the film Khushi (2000), appearing in a cameo role. He further on appeared in lead roles in critically and commercially successful films such as 12B, Iyarkai, Ullam Ketkumae and the Telugu film Kick.

Shaam was born on 4 April 1978 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, into a Tamil-speaking Muslim family. He grew up in Bangalore, where he pursued his studies. After completing his B. Com, he did modelling through which he hoped to become an actor.

Shaam began his career as a model in Bangalore, modelling for various ads. Keen on pursuing an acting career, he was vainly searching for acting offers for four years. He then, following the recommendation of his model coordinator, got to meet cinematographer Jeeva`s, who was planning to make his directorial debut and looking out out for a new face for the film`s lead role. Shaam was given the role and thus his acting career started as he essayed the lead role in the film 12B. His second feature film, however, the S. J. Suryah-directed Khushi, in which he appeared in a cameo role as a friend of Shiva, the male protagonist, played by Joseph Vijay, released first as 12B got delayed and released only in early 2001. The film, based on the theme of butterfly effect, fetched raved reviews and was seen as a "dream entry" for Shaam. His subsequently releases that include Vasanth`s Hey! Nee Romba Azhaga Irukke, Bala (both 2002), Anbe Anbe and Priyadarshan`s Lesa Lesa, garnered only average or poor box office returns. His final release of 2003 was Iyarkai by debutant S. P. Jananathan, which also failed at the box office due to a delayed release, but opened to high critical acclaim, even winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.

Shaam`s first 2005 release, Ullam Ketkumae, again directed by Jeeva, finally was a commercial success again. Following several more unsuccessful film of an approximate figure of 12 Flops, he got a major break in the 2009 Telugu action film Kick, as a Supporting Lead which became a blockbuster success in Andhra Pradesh. He will be now starring in its Tamil remake, titled Thillalangadi also, playing the same role again. Shaam also tried his Hindi debut with director Faisal Saif with an Hindi Tamil bilingual film titled Mujhe Maaf Karo. But due to ego clash between the actor and director the film is on hold.

He was also a part of Mani Ratnam`s stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai.

Shaam has three brothers and two sisters. He is married to a Punjabi, Kashish, who is his former collegemate, with whom he has a daughter named Samaira.