Sreekumar Achary, better known by his stage name Jagathy Sreekumar or simply Jagathy, is an Indian actor, director and playback singer, who has appeared in over 1500 Malayalam films in a career spanning almost four decades. Widely regarded as the greatest comedian in the history of Malayalam cinema, he is also known for his highly nuanced character roles. He is the son of acclaimed dramaturge and writer, the late Jagathy N. K. Achary.
The music of Kerala has a complex history. It is not the same as Malayalam poetry, although most of it is poetry driven. Kerala has a rich tradition in Carnatic music. Songs formed a major part of early Malayalam literature, which traces its origin to the 9th century CE. The significance of music in the culture of Kerala can be established just by the fact that in Malayalam language, musical poetry was developed long before prose. With the development of music in the region, different branches were formed out of it.
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
Sheela Celine is an Indian actress and director who appears predominantly in Malayalam cinema. Paired with Prem Nazir, they hold the Guinness World Record for acting in the largest number of films (130) together as heroine and hero. Sheela is a four-time winner of Kerala State Film Award. She came back to acting in 2003 through Manassinakkare after 22 years. In 2005, she won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Malayalam film Akale. In 2019, Sheela was honoured with the J C Daniel Award, the Kerala government's highest honour for outstanding contribution to Malayalam cinema. She was also one of the highest paid actresses, reportedly paid more than her male counterparts, of her time.
K. Bhaskaran Nair, professionally credited by his stage name Adoor Bhasi, was an Indian actor and film director. He was mostly cast as sidekicks 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 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.
Commissioner is a 1994 Indian Malayalam-language neo-noir action thriller film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by Ranji Panicker, and produced by M. Mani. It stars Suresh Gopi as police commissioner Bharathchandran IPS, and also features Ratheesh, Shobana, Vijayaraghavan, M. G. Soman, Rajan P. Dev, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, N. F. Varghese, Karamana Janardanan Nair, and Maniyanpilla Raju in pivotal roles. The background score was composed by Rajamani.
Oru CBI Diary Kurippu is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language mystery thriller film directed by K. Madhu, written by S. N. Swamy, and starring Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Jagathy Sreekumar, Mukesh, and Sukumaran. The lead character, CBI officer Sethurama Iyer is inspired by a police officer named Radha Vinod Raju, Jammu and Kashmir cadre IPS Officer, who in 2009 was appointed as the first chief of India's National Investigation Agency. It was the highest grossing Malayalam film at that time. Considered one of the best crime thrillers in Malayalam, it eventually developed a cult following. This is the first installment in the CBI film series featuring Mammootty as Sethurama Iyer.
Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu is a 1990 Malayalam-language mystery thriller film written by Padmarajan and directed by Joshiy. It stars Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Nedumudi Venu, Lalu Alex, Sumalatha, Lakshmi and Murali. It was considered as one of the best mystery thriller films in Malayalam cinema.
Action Hero Biju is a 2016 Indian Malayalam-language police procedural comedy film directed by Abrid Shine. The film stars Nivin Pauly, Anu Emmanuel, Saiju Kurup, Joju George, Alexander Prasanth, Kalabhavan Prajod, Rony David and Sohan Seenulal. Nivin jointly produced the film with Abrid Shine and Shibu Thekkumpuram. Jerry Amaldev composed the original songs, while Rajesh Murugesan composed score. Principal photography began in May 2015 and ended in October 2015.
Rajahamsam is a 1974 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Hariharan and produced by Hari Pothan. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayabharathi, Srividya and Vidhubala in the lead roles. This film is remade in Telugu as Indradhanussu with Telugu Superstar Krishna and Sarada and it become huge hit in 1977 by Sankranti movies. The film has musical score by G. Devarajan.
Chattambikkalyaani is a 1975 Indian Malayalam film, directed by J. Sasikumar and produced by Sreekumaran Thampi. The film stars Prem Nazir, Lakshmi, K. P. Ummer and M. G. Soman in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. K. Arjunan.
Thacholi Marumakan Chandu is a 1974 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by P. Bhaskaran. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sukumari, Jayabharathi and Srividya. The film had musical score by V. Dakshinamoorthy.
Kalpavriksham is a 1978 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Hariharan and produced by T. K. K. Nambiar. The film stars Prem Nazir, Jayan, Jayabharathi, Bhavani, and M. G. Soman.
Kaanathaya Penkutty is a 1985 Indian Malayalam mystery thriller film, directed by K. N. Sasidharan. The film follows the mystery of a missing girl, featuring Bharath Gopi, Jayabharathi, and Mammootty. Thilakan and Jagathy Sreekumar also appear in prominent roles, while Ramachandran and V. K. Sreeraman play the investigators. The film has musical score by Jerry Amaldev. The film was based on a true incident that happened in Thrissur in the year 1979 where a girl went missing and the same revealed the illegal relationship of her mother. It was Sasidharan's second film after Akkare (1984).
Raju Gari Gadhi is a 2015 Indian Telugu-language horror comedy film directed by Ohmkar and produced by Varahi Chalana Chitram, AK Entertainments Pvt. Ltd and OAK Entertainments Pvt. Ltd. The film features an ensemble cast of Ashwin Babu, Chethan Cheenu, Eshanya Maheshwari, Dhanya Balakrishna, Dhanraj, Shakalaka Shankar, and Vidyullekha Raman. Sai Karthik composed the film's soundtrack, while Gnanam took charge of the film's cinematography. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews but was commercially successful. It was dubbed in Hindi as Raja Saheb Ka Kamra and in Tamil as Mudinja Vaazhu.
Kasthooriman was an Indian Malayalam television series directed by Sachin K. Ibaque. The show premiered on Asianet channel on 11 December 2017. It stars Sreeram Ramachandran and Rebecca Santhosh along with experienced senior actors Praveena, Raghavan, Sreelatha Namboothiri and Beena Antony. It aired on Asianet and on-demand through Disney+ Hotstar. The show aired its last episode on 27 March 2021.
Kaliveedu is an Indian Malayalam-language soap opera directed by Dileep Kumar. The show premiered from 15 November 2021 on Surya TV. It stars Rebecca Santhosh and Nithin Jake Joseph in lead roles along with Gayathri Mayura, Uma Nair, Krishna Prabha and Sreelatha Namboothiri in pivotal roles. It is an official remake of Tamil TV series Roja.
Thankam (transl. Gold) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language crime film directed by Saheed Arafath and written by Syam Pushkaran. It stars Biju Menon, Vineeth Sreenivasan and Aparna Balamurali in lead roles. The film is produced by Bhavana Studios in association with Working Class Hero and Fahadh Faasil and Friends. The film is based on an incident that happened to a jeweller in Thrissur.
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award is an award given by the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, an autonomous organisation for the encouragement, preservation, and documentation of the performing arts of Kerala, set up by the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Government of Kerala. Instituted in 1962, the awards are given in the categories of music, dance, theatre, other traditional arts, and for contribution/scholarship in performing arts. The award consists of Rs. 30,000, a citation and a plaque. The recipients of the award are also conferred the title Kalasree.
