: The 2020 biopic starring Richa Chadha explores these "real-life" relationships, including her childhood sweetheart and a one-sided infatuation with a film producer, highlighting the emotional isolation she felt behind the camera. Key Films and Cinematic Impact

The relationships depicted in Shakeela's films were often mirrored by the tumultuous reality of her own life, as chronicled in her autobiography, Shakeela: Aatmakatha .

: A later success that played on her seductive image while transitioning her toward more comedic and character-driven roles.

While her filmography exceeds 250 titles, certain movies stand out for defining her romantic screen persona:

At the height of her popularity, known as the Shakeela tharangam (Shakeela wave), her films frequently outperformed mainstream blockbusters in Kerala. The romantic storylines in these films typically departed from the "pure" love stories of mainstream cinema, instead focusing on themes of desire, forbidden relationships, and the liberation of the female protagonist.

: In many films, the central relationship involved a younger man captivated by an older, more experienced woman—a trope that became a staple of the genre and led to the sarcastic use of terms like "chechi" (sister) or "aunty" to describe these characters.

: The film that made her a superstar. It depicted a bold female lead and grossed over ₹4 crore against a tiny budget, effectively saving the struggling Malayalam film industry at the time.

: Shakeela often portrayed a woman unconstrained by social norms, showcasing a level of sexual agency that was largely absent for female characters in the hero-centric mainstream industry.