Shiju Abdul Rasheed, known professionally as Shiju AR (born 4 August 1974 in Kollam, Kerala), is an Indian actor and model who has worked across Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Odia, and English language films and serials over a career spanning nearly three decades. He attended St. Albert's Higher Secondary School, Ernakulam, and later studied at Seethi Sahib Memorial Polytechnic College, Tirur, Kerala. Born into a Muslim family - his father Rasheed and mother Ayisha - he is the youngest of his siblings; his elder brother is Shibu and elder sister is Sheersha. He made his acting debut in the Tamil film Mahaprabhu (1996), playing a villain. He gained significant recognition in the Telugu film Devi (1999), directed by Kodi Ramakrishna, in which he played the lead role of Vijay - earning him the stage name 'Devi Shiju' in Telugu cinema. He went on to appear in over 150 films across multiple languages, with notable Malayalam performances in Dosth (2001), Sound Thoma, Kammath & Kammath (2013), One (2021), and appearances in Telugu blockbusters Jai Lava Kusa (2017) and Taxiwaala (2018). He also appeared in the English film In the Name of Buddha (2002). He won the Best Actor in a TV Serial (Malayalam) at the 15th Manappuram Minnalai Film TV Awards for his role in Neeyum Njanum (Zee Keralam). He is married to Preethi Prem, a former air hostess and classical dancer, and they have a daughter together. In 2023, he participated in Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 5 and finished fifth after 98 days.
Playing the lead role in the Telugu blockbuster Devi (1999), known as 'Devi Shiju' in Telugu cinema; Malayalam films Dosth (2001), Sound Thoma, One (2021), and Jai Lava Kusa (2017); the Malayalam serial Neeyum Njanum (Zee Keralam); winning the Best Actor Award by Zee TV.
