Nambiathusseril Varkey John, better known by his screen name Sasikumar, was an Indian film director who worked in Malayalam cinema. He has directed more than 141 films in his career which began in the mid-1960s. He is often referred to as Hitmaker Sasikumar due to the commercial success of his films. In 2012, he was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema
Odayil Ninnu is a 1965 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and written by P. Kesavadev, based on his novel of the same name. The film deals with the life and struggles of a proud and hardworking rickshaw puller, Pappu. It stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir, K. R. Vijaya, and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. Master Dasarath plays the young Pappu. Suresh Gopi made his acting debut with the film, who was then six years old. He appeared as the feudal lord's timid son, who also becomes the root cause for Pappu running away from home.
Kandam Becha Kottu is a 1961 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed and produced by T. R. Sundaram under the banner of Modern Theatres. It stars Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Prem Nawas in the lead roles, along with T. S. Muthaiah, Aranmula Ponnamma and Ambika Sukumaran in supporting roles. The film deals with the negative effects of the dowry system in India through customs of the Muslim community.
Murappennu is a 1965 Malayalam-language drama film directed by A. Vincent and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. The film stars Prem Nazir in the lead role with an ensemble supporting cast including Sharada, Madhu, Jyothilakshmi, K. P. Ummer, P. J. Antony, Jyothilakshmi and Adoor Bhasi playing the pivotal roles. The film revolves around a joint family and the romantic relationships between the cousins of the family. The film explores the Indian custom of marriage between cousins.
Iruttinte Athmavu is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair based on his own short story of the same name. It stars Prem Nazir and Sharada in lead roles with Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, P. J. Antony, Ushakumari, Kozhikode Shantha Devi and Baby Rajani in supporting roles. The film is about a mentally unstable youth born into a matriarchal family who is forced to live as a mad man in chains and who is misunderstood and ill-treated by everyone except his uncle's daughter. The film features music by M. S. Baburaj, cinematography by E. N. Balakrishnan and editing by G. Venkitaraman and Das.
Punnapra Vayalar is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by Kunchacko. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi and P. J. Antony in the lead roles. The film had musical score by K. Raghavan. The movie was based on Punnapra-Vayalar uprising.
Laila Majnu is a 1962 Indian Malayalam-language romance film, directed by P. Bhaskaran, based on Layla and Majnun. Starring Prem Nazir and L. Vijayalakshmi, with Sathyan, Thikkurissi, T. S. Muthiah, Chandni, Adoor Bhasi and Kodungalloor Ammini Amma in supporting roles, the film's acclaimed music was composed by Baburaj. Egyptian dancer Laila appeared in one of the songs.
Ninamaninja Kalpadukal is a 1963 Malayalam language film, directed by N. N. Pisharody and produced by N.K. Karunakara Pillai and Shobhana Parameswaran Nair. The lead role is played by Prem Nazir, with Ambika, Sheela and Madhu, who debuted with this film. The film is based on a novel by Parappurath and portrays the trials the Indo-China war. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam. It was a super hit movie.
Kavyamela is a 1965 Indian Malayalam-language film written by S. L. Puram Sadanandan and directed by M. Krishnan Nair, starring Prem Nazir and Sheela in the lead roles. The film is best known for the performance by Prem Nazir and songs by Dakshinamoorthy – Vayalar team.
Kunjali Marakkar is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language historical film directed by S. S. Rajan, written by K. Padmanabhan Nair and produced by T. K. Pareekutty. It stars Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Prem Nazir, Sukumari, P. K. Saraswathi and P. K. Sathyapal. The film has a musical score by B. A. Chidambaranath. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.
Chithramela is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language anthology film directed and produced by T. S. Muthaiah. It was Malayalam cinema's first anthology film. The cast includes Prem Nazir, Sharada, Sheela, K. P. Ummer, Kottayam Chellappan, S. P. Pillai, Adoor Bhasi, Bahadoor and Manavalan Joseph.
Nagarame Nanni is a 1967 Malayalam language film, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by A. Vincent. The film stars Prem Nazir, Usha Nandhini, Madhu and K. P. Ummer among others. The film tells the story of a family that migrates from a village to the city of Madras in search of a better life. The theme was about the lure of the city and how the dreams of villagers are shattered by its inexorable logic of greed. The plot is similar to the 1965 film The Conquerors of the Golden City, directed by Getin Gurtop and the 1964 film Birds of Exile by Halit Refig. K. Balachander's Tamil film Pattina Pravesham (1977) was based on all these three films.
Pareeksha (transl. Examination) is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by T. N. Gopinathan Nair. It is based on Nair's 1964 play of the same name. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sharada, Adoor Bhasi and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. The story details the corruption and malpractices in the education system and conduct of public examinations.
Virunnukari is a 1969 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by P. Venu. The film stars Prem Nazir, Madhu, Sheela and Usha.
Asuravithu is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by A. Vincent, starring Prem Nazir and Sharada. The film was scripted by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, based on his own novel Asuravithu. Set in a Kerala village in the 1960s, the political melodrama focuses on Hindu-Muslim unity. The film portrays the plight of the protagonist, the youngest son of a proud Nair tharavadu, as he is trapped between the social scenario, social injustice and his own inner consciousness. Prem Nazir's acting in the movie was well appreciated by the viewers.
Thurakkatha Vathil is a 1970 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by A. Raghunath. The film stars Prem Nazir, Madhu, (Ragini) Jayabharathi and Sreelatha Namboothiri. The film's musical score was by K. Raghavan. The movie received the National Award for the best film on National Integration in 1970. It was he second Malayalam film to win this award. The first was Janmabhoomi in 1967. Philomina won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress for this movie.
Ambalapravu is a 1970 Indian Malayalam film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by T.Thara Chand Barjathya. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Madhu and Sharada in the lead roles. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj.
Kakkathamburatti is a 1970 Indian Malayalam film directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by C. J. Baby and P. C. Ittoop. The film stars Prem Nazir, Madhu, Sharada, and Jayabharathi. The film has a musical score by K. Raghavan.
Lakshaprabhu is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by Raveendranathan Nair. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Sukumari and Adoor Bhasi. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj.
Anguram is a 1982 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Hariharan and produced by Adoor Manikantan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sharada, Sukumaran, KP Ummer and Kottayam Santha.
