Malayalam cinema is an Indian film industry of Malayalam-language motion pictures. It is based in Kerala, India. The films produced in Malayalam cinema are known for their cinematography and story-driven plots. In 1982, Elippathayam won the Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival, and Most Original Imaginative Film of 1982 by the British Film Institute. Rajiv Anchal's Guru (1997), Salim Ahamed's Adaminte Makan Abu (2011) and Lijo Jose Pellissery's Jallikkattu (2019) were Malayalam films sent by India as its official entries for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards.
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language screwball comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Mohanlal, Shankar, Menaka, M. G. Soman, Nedumudi Venu, C. I. Paul, Sukumari, Jagathy Sreekumar, Kuthiravattam Pappu, Sreenivasan and Baiju Santhosh.
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.
Kathapurushan is a 1995 Indo-Japanese Malayalam-language period drama film written and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. It was produced by Gopalakrishnan himself and co-produced by NHK. The film stars Vishwanathan, Mini Nair, Aranmula Ponnamma, Narendra Prasad and Urmila Unni. Kathapurushan is a journey exploring the history of that time in the state of Kerala in India. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film at the National Film Awards in 1996.
Elippathayam is a 1981 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.
Vidheyan is a 1994 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed and written by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. It is a cinematic adaptation of the novella Bhaskara Pattelarum Ente Jeevithavum by Malayalam writer Paul Zacharia. The film explores the master-slave relationship in a South Karnataka setting. Mammootty and M. R. Gopakumar plays the lead roles.
K. P. Kumaran is an Indian film maker who works in the Malayalam cinema. He co-authored the script of Swayamvaram directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Kumaran's first directorial venture was Athithi. His major films include Rugmini, Thenthulli, Laxmivijayam and Thottam. His latest film, Akasha Gopuram, is based on Henrik Ibsen's play The Master Builder.
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.
Karamana Janardanan Nair was a Malayalam film actor, who was active during the 1980s and 1990s. He was especially known for his character roles. He won wide acclaim especially for the role of the protagonist in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's Elippathayam (1981). He notably played the villain role along with Thilakan in Pattanapravesham(1988). He played the lead role in the K. G. George directed film Mattoral, supported by Mammootty, which was released in 1988. His last role was as Fr. Paulose in the movie FIR (1999) and died a year later.
Ashokan is an Indian actor known for his roles in Malayalam films. He made his film debut with Peruvazhiyambalam the film won the 1979 National film award for best feature film. He is best known for his roles in Yavanika (1982), Yuvajanotsavam (1986), Thoovanathumbikal (1987), Moonnam Pakkam (1988), In Harihar Nagar (1990), Amaram (1990) and 2 Harihar Nagar (2009).
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.
Achanum Bappayum is a 1972 Malayalam film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and written by K. T. Muhammed. It stars K. P. Ummer, Jayabharathi, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Adoor Bhasi and Baby Sumathi in important roles. It won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. K. J. Yesudas won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer and Vayalar Ramavarma won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for the song " Manushyan Mathangale".
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.
N. S. S. College, Pandalam is a higher education institution in Kerala, affiliated to the University of Kerala. It is one of the three oldest colleges established and managed by the Nair Service Society. The college was founded by Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai in 1950, with intermediate course offerings from the University of Travancore. The college is situated at the heart of Pandalam town adjacent to several other educational institutions under the same management.
K. Ravindranathan Nair , a.k.a. Achani Ravi or General Pictures Ravi, is an Indian film producer of Malayalam films, industrialist and philanthropist, known for a number of critically acclaimed movies he has produced such as Kanchana Sita, Thampu, Kummatty, Esthappan, Pokkuveyil, Elippathayam, Manju, Mukhamukham, Anantaram and Vidheyan. Nair is credited with fostering the art film movement in Malayalam cinema during the period from the seventies till the nineties. A multiple recipient of National and State film awards, Nair was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award by the Government of Kerala, in 2008, for his contributions to Malayalam cinema.
Mohan Kupleri (Malayalam: മോഹൻ കുപ്ലേരി; born 19 June, 1957) is an Indian film director in Malayalam cinema, Television Serials and Advertising Films. He made his debut cinema with Grihaprevesam (1992). His films include Nandini Oppol (1994), Kaathil Oru Kinnaram (1996), Dravidan (1998), Kattathoru Penpoovu (1998), Savithriyude Aranjanam (2002), Payum Puli (2007), Evadaina Sare (2007), Grihanathan (2012) and upcoming film Chandragiri.
Ain is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by Sidhartha Siva and starring Musthafa and Rachana Narayanankutty. Set in a Muslim household in Malabar, the film revolves around a lazy but innocent and vulnerable youth who happens to witness a murder and escapes to Mangalore. The film released in selected theatres in Kerala on 25 September 2015.
Pinneyum is a 2016 Indian Malayalam-language romantic crime drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. Businessman Baby Mathew Somatheeram co-produced the film. The film portrays a love story where Dileep and Kavya Madhavan are in the lead roles. This film was loosely adapted from the murder incident in Kerala during 1984 by Sukumara Kurup, a wanted criminal.
