Adoor Gopalakrishnan is an Indian film director, script writer, and producer and is regarded as one of the most notable and renowned filmmakers in India. With the release of his first feature film Swayamvaram (1972), Gopalakrishnan pioneered the new wave in Malayalam cinema during the 1970s. In a career spanning over five decades, Gopalakrishnan has made only 12 feature films to date. His films are made in the Malayalam language and often depict the society and culture of his native state Kerala. Nearly all of his films premiered at Venice, Cannes and Toronto International Film Festival. Along with Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen, Gopalakrishnan is one of the most recognized Indian film directors in world cinema.
Elippathayam is a 1982 Malayalam film written and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. It stars Karamana Janardanan Nair, Sharada, Jalaja, and Rajam K. Nair. The film documents the feudal life in Kerala at its twilight overshadowed with grief, and a sense of carelessness/avoidance as a form of revolt. The protagonist is disenfranchised and trapped within himself and does not want to - unable to change with the social changes taking place around him. The film premiered at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival. It was also screened at the London Film Festival where it won the Sutherland Trophy. It is widely regarded as one of the best Indian films ever made.
Swayamvaram is a 1972 Indian Malayalam-language drama film co-written and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, starring Madhu and Sharada in the lead roles. Notable smaller roles were played by Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair, Adoor Bhavani, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, and Bharath Gopi. The film depicts the life of a couple—Vishwam (Madhu) and Sita (Sharada)—who have married against their parents' wishes and want to start a new life at a new place. The title is an allusion to the ancient Indian practice of a girl of marriageable age choosing a husband from among a list of suitors.
K. Bhaskaran Nair, professionally credited by his stage name Adoor Bhasi, was an Indian actor and film director. He was mostly cast as a sidekick to protagonists, particularly Prem Nazir. His comedic roles were widely appreciated in Malayalam films of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Bhasi has also done leading and character roles. He directed three Malayalam films in the late 1970s. Bhasi is also known for his eloquent speeches in fluent English. He has won Kerala State Film Awards, including two Best Actor and one Second Best Actor.
Karpagam is a 1963 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. The film features an ensemble cast including Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, S. V. Ranga Rao, M. R. Radha, R. Muthuraman, V. K. Ramasamy, V. Nagayya, Karikol Raju, Sheeladevi, K. R. Vijaya and Baby Shakila. In Karpagam, a rich farmer makes his newly married daughter (Vijaya) and her husband (Ganesan) live in his house to take care of his business. Problems arise when his estranged son (Muthuraman) starts to squander his money.
Aranmula Ponnamma was an Indian actress known for her roles as mother of the protagonist in numerous films in a career spanning over five decades. She is widely described as a mother figure in Malayalam cinema. In 2005, she was honoured with the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Kodiyettam is a Malayalam-language film written and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. The film stars Bharat Gopy in the lead role. Notable smaller roles were played by K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Kuttyedathi Vilasini, Azeez and Adoor Bhawani. The film depicts the life of Shankaran Kutty, a carefree simpleton who eventually rises to be a mature, responsible adult. The title of the film translates to 'Ascent' which symbolizes the growth of Shankaran Kutty.
Anantaram, also known as Monologue, is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language film produced, written and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. It stars Mammootty, Ashokan and Shobhana in the lead. The film is structured like a monologue. It develops through a commentary by the protagonist about himself in the first person. The attempt of the protagonist is to narrate how his undiagnosed psychosis led him where he is now. The film was an experimental film for its time as it did not have a linear narrative.
Oru Pennum Randaanum is a 2008 Malayalam feature film written and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
Kakkakuyil is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language heist comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Lissy. It stars Mohanlal and Mukesh. The film features songs composed by Deepan Chatterji and background score by S. P. Venkatesh. Kakkakuyil was released on 14 April 2001. It was remade in Telugu as Tappu Chesi Pappu Koodu (2002) and in Tamil as London (2005). The plot of the movie is based on the 1988 English movie A Fish Called Wanda with the sub plot of the two lead actors seeking shelter in the house of old blind couple as a single person borrowed from the Marathi play Ghar Ghar.
Mankada Ravi Varma was an Indian cinematographer and director who worked in Malayalam cinema. He is exclusively known for his association with renowned film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan. He has associated with other major directors such as G. Aravindan and P. N. Menon. He has also directed two films. He has won two National Film Awards and seven Kerala State Film Awards in various categories. In 2006, he was honoured with the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Kalayum Kaminiyum is a 1963 Indian Malayalam language film. 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.
Kudumbini is a 1964 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by P. A. Thomas. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Adoor Bhasi. The film has musical score by L. P. R. Varma. The film received a certificate of merit at the annual National Film Awards. The movie was remade in Kannada in 1966 as Premamayi.
Pavappettaval is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. A. Thomas. The film stars Sathyan, Kamaladevi, Sukumari and Adoor Bhasi. The film had musical score by B. A. Chidambaranath. It is a remake of the 1941 Telugu film Devatha.
Adimakal (transl. Slaves) is a 1969 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and produced by M. O. Joseph. The film stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Sheela and Sharada. The film had musical score and songs composed by G. Devarajan. It won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Pamman. The film was remade in Hindi as Intezar (1973) in Telugu as Chilakamma Cheppindi (1977) and in Tamil as Nizhal Nijamagiradhu (1978).
Mathilukal (transl. Walls) is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language film written, directed, and produced by Adoor Gopalakrishnan based on the autobiographical novel of the same name by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. The film focuses on the prison life of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and the love between him and Narayani, a female inmate of the prison, who remains unseen throughout the film. Mammootty plays the role of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer while K. P. A. C. Lalitha gives voice to Narayani. The film was screened at the Venice Film Festival.
Mathar Ramakrishnan Gopakumar is an Indian film, television and theatre artist from Kerala. He began his acting career through Malayalam stage plays and later in tele-films and television serials and into films. In his career spanning over four decades, Gopakumar has acted in a wide variety of roles and has worked in both art house and mainstream films. He is mainly noted for his role as Thommi in the 1994 movie Vidheyan.
Anweshichu Kandethiyilla is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by Parappurath. The film stars K. R. Vijaya, Sathyan and Madhu. Based on Parappurath's novel of the same name, it recounts the quest for happiness by a nurse with the best of intentions, but who is disillusioned. The film was made as a reply to the biblical homily, ‘seek and ye shall find’. Anweshichu Kandethiyilla won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.
Lion is a 2006 Indian Malayalam-language political thriller film written by Udaykrishna-Sibi K. Thomas and directed by Joshiy. The film stars Dileep, Kalasala Babu, Kavya Madhavan and Vijayaraghavan alongside a supporting cast that include Jagathy Sreekumar, Innocent, Sai Kumar, Shammi Thilakan, Riyaz Khan and Karthika. The film was produced by Noushad and distributed by Shan Entertainment. The film received positive reviews and was a blockbuster at the box office. It was remade in Tamil as Nam Naadu and in Telugu as Evadaithe Nakenti.
