When Nivin Pauly shared his take on 'rivals' Dulquer Salmaan and Fahadh Faasil: 'No competition, only shared success'

Back in 2018, actor Nivin Pauly addressed the perceived rivalry between himself, Dulquer Salmaan, and Fahadh Faasil. The three actors, who represent the new age of Malayalam cinema, were already showcasing their versatility beyond the Malayalam industry, acting in both Tamil and Hindi films. Fans often speculated about competition among them, but Nivin was clear that this was not the case. He told IANS, "There is no competition between us. We are making films that we think are the best. It's all good for each one of us."One thing Nivin’s comments highlighted was the very different circumstances each actor came from. Dulquer is the son of superstar Mammootty, and Fahadh is the son of filmmaker Fazil — both grew up in film families. Nivin, on the other hand, had no such connections when he entered the industry. He openly acknowledged this difference, even admitting that outsiders often had to fight harder to establish credibility, while expressing pride in the fact that he carved his own path without any industry backing.The trio had already shared the screen in Anjali Menon’s Bangalore Days (2014), a film that became a milestone in Malayalam cinema and showcased their individual strengths. That collaboration sparked endless comparisons, but Nivin emphasized that the success of one never diminished the others. Instead, their coexistence enriched the industry’s creative landscape, allowing diverse stories and performances to shine.At the time of the interview, Nivin was enjoying the success of Kayamkulam Kochunni, then touted as the most expensive Malayalam film ever made. The period drama reaffirmed his star power and reinforced his potential to lead big-budget films.What stood out most was Nivin’s humility. Countering the narrative of rivalries, he emphasized respect, consistency, and individuality. For Nivin, success was never about being bigger than Dulquer or Fahadh — it was about choosing films he genuinely believed in.