K. B. Venu | |
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Born | |
Occupation(s) | Film director, author |
K. B. Venu (born 19 April 1970) is an Indian film director, author, screen writer and actor who works in Malayalam film industry. He is known for his directorial August Club (2013) which was released in 2013. [1] [2] He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Book on Cinema for his book, K. G. Georgente Chalachithra Yathrakal in 2015. [3]
Venu was born in Puthenvelikkara, Ernakulam. He completed post-graduation with MA English literature in, from Union Christian College, Aluva and Master of communication and Journalism from University of Calicut. He curently lives in Thrissur. [4]
In 2013, he directed his debut film, August Club . It stars Rima Kallingal, Murali Gopi and Thilakan in titular roles. It tells the story about the nuances in marital life. The film's screenplay is written by Anantha Padmanabhan and is based on his novelette titled Venalinte Kalaneekkangal. [5] He wrote the script for the film Headmaster (2022), which is based on Karoor Neelakanta Pillai’s classic short story ‘Pothichoru’. [6]
Malayalam cinema is the segment of Indian cinema dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Malayalam language, which is widely spoken in the state of Kerala and Lakshadweep islands of India. Malayalam cinema includes the commercial film industry, sometimes known as Mollywood, as well as independent cinema made in Malayalam. According to recent trends and critical acclaim, the Malayalam film industry (Mollywood) is often considered the "best" film industry in India, known for its high quality storytelling, strong performances, and focus on social issues, even though the largest film industry in terms of viewership remains Bollywood
John Abraham was an Indian filmmaker, short story writer and screenwriter who worked mainly in Malayalam cinema. His film Amma Ariyan (1986) was the only South Indian feature film to make the list of "Top 10 Indian Films" of all time by British Film Institute. Agraharathil Kazhuthai was listed among the "100 Greatest Indian Films" of all time by IBN Live's 2013 poll.
Kilukkam (transl. Jingle) is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Venu Nagavalli. The story set in Ooty revolves around tourist guide Joji (Mohanlal) and photographer Nishchal. They happen to meet a lavish tourist Nandini (Revathi), whom they bet their fortunes on. It also stars Thilakan, Innocent, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Sukumari, and Sharat Saxena, with Murali and Jagadish making cameo appearances. The music was composed by S. P. Venkatesh. Kilukkam was released on 15 August 1991. The film was the highest-grossing Malayalam film at that time and ran for more than 365-days at the theaters. Kilukkam won five Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Actor for Mohanlal, Second Best Actor for Jagathy Sreekumar, Best Editor for N. Gopalakrishnan, and Best Cinematographer for S. Kumar. The film is regarded as one of the best comedy films of Malayalam cinema. It was remade in Telugu as Allari Pilla and in Hindi as Muskurahat by Priyadarshan himself. Later, the film had a sequel Kilukkam Kilukilukkam (2006). The movie was reported to have been inspired by the 1953 American movie Roman Holiday.
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, popularly known as Thakazhi after his place of birth, was an Indian novelist and short story writer of Malayalam literature. He wrote over 30 novels and novellas and over 600 short stories focusing on the lives of the oppressed classes. Known for his works such as Kayar and Chemmeen, Pillai was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, the third highest Indian civilian award. He was also a recipient of the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary award, awarded in 1984 for the novel Kayar.
Karoor Neelakanta Pillai was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature and one of the founders of Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society. Some of his works such as Poovan Pazham and Marappavakal are counted by many among the best short stories in Malayalam. He was a recipient of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Children's Literature in 1960, which he received for his work Anakkaran, and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story in 1969, which he received for his short story Mothiram.
Venugopal Pillai, popularly known as Venu, is an Indian cinematographer and film director who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. An alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and CMS college Kottayam. He has been the recipient of four National Film Awards, including three for Best Cinematography and one Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director, and four Kerala State Film Awards. He is a founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers (ISC).
Thiramala is a 1953 Malayalam-language film, directed by Vimalkumar and P.R.S. Pillai, starring Sathyan, Kumari Thankam, Thomas Burleigh, Ponathil Sivadas, Prabha. The film has a significant place in the history of Malayalam cinema. Filmmaker Ramu Kariat worked as an assistant director in this film. Hindustani vocalist Lakshmi Shankar recorded a song for this film.
Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai (1898–1976), popularly identified as Swathithirunal Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai after his magnum opus, Swathithirunal, was an Indian author of Malayalam literature, actor, speaker, teacher and thinker. He was known for his plays which dealt with themes such as patriotism, sacrifice and justice and his characters showed heroism, showing influence of William Shakespeare. Kerala Sahitya Akademi awarded him their annual award for drama in 1970. He was also a recipient of the Kalyani Krishna Menon Puraskaram.
Vaasthuhara is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language social drama film written and directed by G. Aravindan. It is based on the short story of the same name by C. V. Sreeraman. The film looks into the lives of partition refugees from East Bengal to West Bengal. At a larger level, it's the universal story of refugees. The film stars Mohanlal, Neena Gupta, Neelanjana Mitra and Shobana. The dialogues were written by Sreeraman, Aravindan, and N. Mohanan.
Ee Nadu is a 1982 Indian Malayalam-language political film directed by I. V. Sasi, written by T. Damodaran and produced by N. G. John. The film stars Balan K. Nair with Mammootty, Ratheesh, and T. G. Ravi in supporting roles. The music score was handled by Shyam. The film talks about how politicians and the rich people in society exploit their power and ignore the pleas of the general public. This film was loosely based on a spate of liquor poisonings that occurred in Vypeen in Kerala that claimed 77 lives.
Mutharamkunnu P.O. is a 1985 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film directed by Sibi Malayil from a screenplay by Sreenivasan based on a story by Jagadish. It stars Mukesh, Lizy, Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan and Jagadish. The plot tells the story of a newly arrived postmaster in a village where people uplift the sport of gatta gusthi (wrestling), he falls in love with the daughter of a retired wrestler who challenges him for a duel with a reigning champion Dara Singh. The film was remade in Hindi as Kushti (2010). Despite being an average grosser at box office the film received positive critical reception. Over the years, the film has accumulated a cult following and huge fan base.
C. N. Sreekantan Nair (1928–1976) was an Indian independence activist, a Malayalam writer, short story writer, playwright and screenwriter, best known for his Ramayana trilogy – Kanchana Sita, Saketham and Lankalakshmi. He wrote 10 plays, 4 short story anthologies, book of non-fiction and collected works. Kerala Sahitya Akademi awarded him their annual award for drama in 1962. He was also a recipient of the M. P. Paul Prize.
Ordinary is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Sugeeth in his directorial debut and written by Nishad K. Koya and Manu Prasad. The film stars Kunchacko Boban, Biju Menon, Asif Ali and Shritha Sivadas. The music was composed by Vidyasagar. The film follows the life of a driver and conductor of a K.S.R.T.C. bus that travels from Pathanamthitta to the village of Gavi via Angamoozhy.
Sivakarthikeyan Doss, also known by the initialism SK, is an Indian actor, playback singer, lyricist, film producer and television presenter, who works predominantly in Tamil cinema. In 2021, he won the Kalaimamani Award.
Venu Thottempudi is an Indian actor who primarily works in Telugu cinema. He has appeared in several successful Telugu films as a lead actor from 1999 to the early 2000s.
Swayamvaram is a 1999 Indian Telugu-language romantic comedy drama film directed by K. Vijaya Bhaskar and produced by Venkata Shyam Prasad under SP Entertainments. The film stars debutants Venu and Laya in lead roles. Swayamvaram also marks the screenwriting debut of Trivikram Srinivas who would later go on to become a noted filmmaker in Telugu cinema.
Run Baby Run is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by Joshiy, produced and distributed by Milan Jaleel through the company Galaxy Films. It was the first independent screenplay of Sachy following the split of Sachi-Sethu duo. The film stars Mohanlal, Amala Paul,Biju Menon and Shammi Thilakan. The music was composed by Ratheesh Vegha, while cinematography was done by R. D. Rajasekhar.
Nenjil Or Aalayam is a 1962 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed, produced and written by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Kalyan Kumar, Devika and R. Muthuraman while Nagesh, Manorama and Kutty Padmini play supporting roles. The original soundtrack album and background score were composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, while the lyrics for the songs were written by Kannadasan.
Munnariyippu (transl. Warning) is a 2014 Indian Malayalam-language psychological experimental thriller film directed by Venu and produced by Ranjith, screenplay by Unni R. The film stars Mammootty and Aparna Gopinath, with Nedumudi Venu, Joy Mathew, Prathap Pothan, Sreeraman, Renji Panicker, Saiju Kurup, Joshy Mathew, and Sudheesh in supporting roles. Prithviraj Sukumaran appears in a cameo role.
Alencier Ley Lopez is an Indian film and theatre actor, who appears in Malayalam films. Lopez made his debut in the 1998 film Daya; and he worked in films like Annayum Rasoolum (2013), Njan Steve Lopez (2013), and Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016).