Hailing from Valanchery, Malappuram, Zakariya is best known for his directorial debut Sudani from Nigeria,[2] which won several awards and accolades.

[3] His second directorial feature was Halal Love Story.

[4] He is a postgraduate in Mass Communication and Journalism from SAFI Institute of Advanced Study, Vazhayur.

and worked as an assistant professor in MediaOne Academy at Calicut.

He started his career as an Assistant Director in an Advertising production house, TVC Factory, Cochin, Kerala.