In a heartwarming revelation that has captured the hearts of fans, Malayalam actor Shabareesh Varma has openly discussed his color blindness and how his wife, production designer Ashwini Kale, has become the vibrant colors in his life that he cannot naturally see.
From Premam Sets to Lifelong Partnership
The multi-talented actor, known for his memorable performances in films like Premam (2015), Kannur Squad (2023), and Paathirathri (2025), shared the beautiful story of how his romance with Ashwini blossomed during the making of the iconic film Premam. At that time, both were at the beginning of their careers - Shabareesh as an actor and Ashwini as an assistant art director.
The couple tied the knot in 2018 and have since become each other's strongest supporters in both personal and professional spheres. While actor-actor couples are common in the film industry, Shabareesh noted that art director-actor pairs are relatively rare, though their combination happened naturally rather than by design.
Living with Color Blindness
In an exclusive interview with SCREEN, Shabareesh candidly revealed his condition of color blindness, which has significantly impacted his daily life. "I often confuse green with yellow and vice versa," he shared. "People make fun of me for that. They point to something and ask me what color it is. I get confused, wondering, 'Is it green or yellow?'"
The actor humorously added that without arrows on traffic lights, he would be perpetually stuck on roads. Although he could memorize the order of color changes, the condition continues to pose challenges in his everyday activities.
Shabareesh recalled facing difficulties during his student days while studying sound engineering. "When I was studying sound engineering, they would say, 'Bring the purple cable.' The cables were all color-coded. So I would be like, 'Which one is the purple cable?' That was a personal problem for me," he explained.
Ashwini: The Colors in His Life
When asked about how Ashwini has supported him, Shabareesh expressed deep gratitude for his wife's assistance with his color blindness. "I often say that she is the color in my life," he revealed with warmth. "Ashwini has helped me with this a lot. I haven't sought help from anyone else in this regard."
The actor emphasized that while this particular support relates to his career and daily life, it represents just one aspect of the comprehensive support system they have built together.
Growing Together in the Film Industry
Reflecting on their journey as a couple who married while still establishing themselves in the competitive film industry, Shabareesh shared insightful thoughts about their parallel growth. "It doesn't happen always. Now, during the recording of this interview, both of us are at a successful stage. But life is a rollercoaster, right? It can go up or down; sometimes for both of us at the same time, and other times differently for each of us," he philosophized.
The actor expressed immense pride in his wife's achievements, particularly highlighting her outstanding work as production designer for Jithu Madhavan's Aavesham (2024) starring Fahadh Faasil and Vineeth Sreenivasan's Hridayam (2022). "Today, she is recognized at a pan-Indian level, or at least across South India. Even though not everyone may know her name or is aware that she created the work they enjoy, the fact that her work is being widely appreciated is a big thing," he beamed.
Shabareesh also noted that the efforts they put into their early projects continue to yield benefits. "The effort I put into Premam is still paying off, and the same goes for Ashwini's work in Aavesham," he shared.
Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavors
As Shabareesh prepares for the release of his first streaming series, the Malayalam horror comedy Inspection Bungalow, which premieres on November 14 on ZEE5, he remains as excited as ever about new opportunities. The series, helmed by Saiju SS and penned by Suneesh Varanadu, also features Aadhya, Senthil Krishna, Shaju Sreedhar and Jayan Cherthala in key roles.
Beyond acting, Shabareesh has also made significant contributions to Malayalam cinema as a lyricist and playback singer, further endearing him to audiences and increasing his popularity across the industry.
The couple's story stands as a testament to how love that begins on film sets can grow into a strong partnership that withstands the challenges of the entertainment industry while providing mutual support and inspiration.
