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
Neelakuyil is a 1954 Malayalam film jointly directed by P. Bhaskaran and Ramu Kariat. It is a neo-realistic melodrama and was based on a story written by Uroob who co-wrote the screenplay and dialogues along with P. Bhaskaran. It stars Sathyan, Miss Kumari, Prema, P. Bhaskaran and Master Vipin. The plot revolves around Neeli, a Dalit peasant girl, who falls in love with Sreedharan Nair (Sathyan), a high caste school teacher. However, things get complicated when Neeli gets pregnant and Sreedharan Nair refuses to marry her. Many of the actors debuted through this film. Acclaimed actor Paravoor Bharathan appears in a cameo role.
Thulabharam is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by A. Vincent. It is based on the Kerala People's Arts Club play of the same name, written by Thoppil Bhasi. Thoppil Bhasi also adapted the play for the screen. The film had an ensemble cast including Prem Nazir, Sharada, Madhu, Sheela, Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair and Adoor Bhasi. The film won two National Awards. The film was a major blockbuster and following the Malayalam version, the film was made in Tamil (Thulabharam), Telugu and Hindi, with Sharada playing lead roles in all versions.
Nadi is a 1969 Indian Malayalam film, directed by A. Vincent and produced by Hari Pothan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sharada, Madhu and Kaviyoor Ponnamma in the lead roles. The film had musical score by G. Devarajan. The film is best known for the performance by Prem Nazir, and the songs.
Murappennu is a 1965 Malayalam film written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, directed by A. Vincent and produced by Shobhana Parameswaran Nair in the banner of Roopavani. It marked the entry of M. T. Vasudevan Nair, the noted Malayalam novelist to Malayalam cinema. The film's story is based on Snehathinte Mukhangal, a short story by M. T. himself. The film features an ensemble cast including Prem Nazir, K. P. Ummer, Madhu, P. J. Antony, Jyothilakshmi, Sharada and Adoor Bhasi playing the pivotal roles.
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, Sharada, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, P. J. Antony, Ushakumari, Kozhikode Shantha Devi and Baby Rajani in important roles, and features music by M. S. Baburaj, cinematography by E. N. Balakrishnan and editing by G. Venkitaraman and Das.
Seetha or Seeta is a 1960 Indian Malayalam language film, directed and produced by Kunchacko, based on the 1943 movie Ram Rajya by Vijay Bhatt, itself based on Uttara Ramayana. The film stars Prem Nazir, Kushalakumari, Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair and Hari. The musical score is by V. Dakshinamoorthy. Seetha "was a hit". Earning ₹4,000,000 net, it was the highest grossing Malayalam film at the time of its release, before its record was broken by Ninamaninja Kalpadukal in 1963.
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.
Puthiya Akasam Puthiya Bhoomi is a 1962 Malayalam language film, directed by M. S. Mani, starring Sathyan and Vinodini in the lead roles. The film received a certificate of merit at the Indian National Film Awards.
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.
Kalayum Kaminiyum is a Malayalam language film. It was released in 1963. E. J. Philip, popularly known by his pen name Kaanam E. J., was known for his social novels. Some of them were made into films. He wrote a few plays too. One of his short plays, Kalayum Changalayum, became very popular after it was published in a Malayalam weekly. P. Subramaniam came up with the screen version of this play under the title Kalayum Kaminiyum. The film was also directed by Subramaniam.
Rosie is a 1965 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. N. Menon and produced by Mani Swami. The film stars Prem Nazir, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair and P. J. Antony. The film had musical score by K. V. Job. Rosie was one of the first Malayalam films to be shot completely outdoors.
Kavyamela is a 1965 Malayalam 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 Malayalam anthology film directed and produced by T. S. Muthiah. It was Malayalam cinema's first anthology film, consisting of three short films. 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 plagiarised from all these three films.
Asuravithu is a 1968 Malayalam film directed by A. Vincent, starring Prem Nazir and Sharada in the lead roles. 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. C. 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.
