Priyadarshan is an Indian film director and screenwriter. In a career spanning almost three decades, Priyadarshan has directed over 90 films in several Indian languages, predominantly Malayalam and Hindi, besides eight in Tamil, and two in Telugu. He is recipient of several accolades including three National Film Awards and Kerala State Film Awards. In 2012, the Government of India honoured him the Padma Shri, country's fourth highest civilian award.
Kerala music has a complex history distinct from Malayalam poetry, with which it is often associated. Though it is often driven by poetry, Kerala also has its roots in Carnatic music. Songs have always been a significant part of early Malayalam literature dating back to the 9th century CE. The significance of music in Kerala's culture can be deduced from the musical poetry that developed in the Malayalam language long before prose. As music evolved in the region, various branches emerged from it
Poochakkoru Mookkuthi is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language screwball comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan in his directorial debut. 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.
Kilukkam (transl. Jingle) is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Venu Nagavalli. The story set in Ooty revolves around tourist guide Joji (Mohanlal) and photographer Nishchal. They happen to meet a lavish tourist Nandini (Revathi), whom they bet their fortunes on. It also stars Thilakan, Innocent, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, Sukumari, and Sharat Saxena, with Murali and Jagadish making cameo appearances. The music was composed by S. P. Venkatesh. Kilukkam was released on 15 August 1991. The film was the highest-grossing Malayalam film at that time and ran for more than 365-days at the theaters. Kilukkam won five Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Actor for Mohanlal, Second Best Actor for Jagathy Sreekumar, Best Editor for N. Gopalakrishnan, and Best Cinematographer for S. Kumar. The film is regarded as one of the best comedy films of Malayalam cinema. It was remade in Telugu as Allari Pilla and in Hindi as Muskurahat by Priyadarshan himself. Later, the film had a sequel Kilukkam Kilukilukkam (2006). The movie was reported to have been inspired by the 1953 American movie Roman Holiday.
Vellanakalude Nadu is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language political satire crime film directed by Priyadarshan, written by Sreenivasan and produced by Maniyanpilla Raju. The film stars Mohanlal, Shobhana, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, M. G. Soman, Sreenivasan, Karamana Janardanan Nair, Maniyanpilla Raju, Sukumari, K. P. A. C. Lalitha and Lizy. The film tells the story of contractor C. Pavithran who has obtained a road contract. This film was a critical and commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year. It ran for over 200 days in theatres. Priyadarshan later remade the film in Hindi as Khatta Meeta, released in 2010.
Akkareyakkareyakkare, also known Akkare Akkare Akkare is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language buddy cop comedy film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Sreenivasan. It stars Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, M. G. Soman, Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Parvathy and Nedumudi Venu in major roles. It is a sequel to 1987's Nadodikkattu and 1988s Pattanapravesham; Mohanlal and Sreenivasan reprises their roles. However, Thilakan, Mamukkoya and Innocent, who have appeared in the previous films, do not appear in this film. Also, a new cast of Nedumudi Venu, Sukumari, Parvathy Jayaram, Jagadish,Mukesh and Maniyanpilla Raju appears. M. G. Soman plays a character role, having appeared as himself in Nadodikkattu. The story follows C.I.Ds Dasan and Vijayan on an investigation for a gold crown stolen to the United States.
Madhusoodanan Jayachandran Nair is an Indian composer, singer, and musician. He has won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director a record number of nine times. In 2005, he also won the state award for best male singer. In 2015, he won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the film Ennu Ninte Moideen. He has composed music for 126 films.
Azhakiya Ravanan is a 1996 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy-drama film directed by Kamal and written by Sreenivasan. The film has an ensemble cast of Mammootty, Bhanupriya, Sreenivasan, Innocent, Biju Menon, Rajan P. Dev, and Cochin Haneefa. Kavya Madhavan portrayed Anuradha's younger self. The movie was produced by V. P. Madhavan Nair under the banner of Murali Films, while the music was composed by Vidyasagar as his debut in Malayalam. The 2015 film Chirakodinja Kinavukal is a spin-off to this film.
Odaruthammava Aalariyam is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language screwball comedy film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Sreenivasan from a story by Priyadarshan. It is about a middle aged family man who is a womanizer and about three college students and their efforts to woo the womanizer's daughter. Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Mukesh, Jagadish, and Shankar play the lead roles. Odaruthammava Aalariyam was a commercial success at the box office. It was partially adapted from Sai Paranjpye's 1981 film Chashme Buddoor, and partially from K. Balachander's 1983 film Poikkal Kudhirai.
Ishtam is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy-drama film directed by Sibi Malayil and written by Kalavoor Ravikumar. It stars Dileep and Navya Nair, with Nedumudi Venu, Innocent, Sreenivasan, and Jayasudha appearing in supporting roles. The music was composed by Mohan Sitara. Ishtam was remade in Hindi as Mere Baap Pehle Aap by Priyadarshan.
Adhwaytham is a 1992 Indian Malayalam-language political action thriller film directed by Priyadarshan and written by T. Damodaran. It stars Mohanlal, Jayaram, Chithra, Revathi, Innocent, and M. G. Soman. The songs in the film were composed by M. G. Radhakrishnan and the film score was composed by Johnson.
Dhinarathrangal is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language film written by Dennis Joseph, directed by Joshi and produced by S. V. Krishna Reddy and starring Mammootty, Sumalatha and Mukesh. The score and soundtrack were composed by Shyam. The film was inspired by the Hindi film Achanak (1973).
Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Sreenivasan from a story by Anthikkad. The film stars Mohanlal, Karthika, Sreenivasan and M. G. Soman. The film features songs composed by Jerry Amaldev and background score by Shyam. The film was released on October 31st, 1995 during Diwali.
Mazhavilkavadi is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikad and written by Raghunath Paleri. It stars Jayaram, Sithara, Krishnankutty Nair, Urvashi, and Innocent in the lead roles. This is one of the very few films where Innocent plays a negative role. It won four Kerala State Film Awards that year, the awards for Best Actress (Urvashi), Best Supporting Actor (Innocent), Best Music Director (Johnson), and Best Singer.
Akkare Ninnoru Maran is a 1985 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film directed by Girish and written by Sreenivasan from a story by Jagadeesh, it was produced by G. Suresh Kumar and Sanal Kumar. The film stars Maniyanpilla Raju, Menaka, Sukumari and Innocent. The film has musical score by C. Rajamani and songs by Kannur Rajan.
Dheem Tharikida Thom is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film directed by Priyadarshan. This film is about an innocent young man joining a ballet team just to express his love towards the main actress. Maniyan Pillai Raju and Lizy appears in the leading roles, supported by Mukesh, Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Jagathi Sreekumar and Shankar. The story is adapted from the 1951 British musical comedy film Happy Go Lovely.
Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil is a 1985 Indian Malayalam-language screwball comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan. The film stars Mohanlal, Shankar, Sukumari, Prem Prakash and Sankaradi. The film has musical score by Raghu Kumar.
Nettippattom is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Kaladharan and produced by Balagopalan Thampi. The film starred Sreenivasan, Rekha, Sukumari, Jagathy Sreekumar, Manoj K. Jayan, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Vijayaraghavan, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Jagadish and Kumbalathu Padmakumar. The film's musical scored by Johnson.
Srikant Murali is an Indian actor, director and ad filmmaker. He has acted in Malayalam films such as Home (2021), Aby (2017), Virus (2019) and Action Hero Biju (2016). As an ad filmmaker Srikant has created material in various Indian languages.
