Thattil Antony Johnson, popularly known as Johnson Master, was an Indian film score composer and music director who has given music to some of the most important motion pictures of Malayalam cinema, including those for Koodevide, Namukku Paarkkan Munthiri Thoppukal, Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam, Vadakkunokkiyantram, Perumthachan, Njan Gandharvan, Ponthan Mada, and Bhoothakkannadi. Regarded as one of the finest composers in the industry, he was noted for his lyrical and expressive melodies together with simple but rich tonal compositions of thematic music. Johnson is a recipient of National Film Awards twice and Kerala State Film Awards five times.
Madhavan Raveendran, , fondly known as Raveendran Master, was a popular South Indian music composer and playback singer from Kerala. He composed songs for more than 150 films primarily for the Malayalam and Tamil film industries. He also composed a few albums, including Vasantha Geethangal, Ponnonatharangini and Rithugeethangal. Raveendran successfully composed melodies based on Hindustani Ragas also.
Devaasuram is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by I. V. Sasi and written by Ranjith. It stars Mohanlal, Revathi, and Napoleon, with Innocent, V. K. Sreeraman, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Augustine in supporting roles. The songs featured in the film were composed by M. G. Radhakrishnan, while S. P. Venkatesh composed the background score. It was Mohanlal's 200th Film.
Girish Puthenchery (1961–2010) was a noted Malayalam Lyricist, Poet, Scriptwriter and Screenwriter. He was always referred to as the aristocratic lyricist of malayalam who had a distinctive writing style of his own. He also served as the director of Indian Performance Rights Society Malayalam division (I.P.R.S) and governing council member of the Kerala Kalamandalam and Kerala Lalithakala Academy. He debuted with the movie Enquiry in 1989. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyricist seven times. He also holds the record for writing the highest number of songs in the malayalam film industry within the briefest period of time. He died on 10 february 2010 in a private hospital in kozhikode.
Aaraam Thampuran is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by Ranjith and produced by Revathy Kalamandhir. It stars Mohanlal in the title role with Narendra Prasad, Manju Warrier, Sai Kumar, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Cochin Haneefa and Srividya in supporting roles. The story follows Jagannadhan (Mohanlal), a former Mumbai-based enforcer who buys an old kovilakam named Kanimangalam and shifts the balance of power in that village, and he comes to be known as Aaram Thampuran. The film features original songs composed by Raveendran.
Bharatham is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language musical drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu, Lakshmi, and Murali. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his production house Pranavam Arts. The film features original songs composed by Raveendran and a background score by Johnson. Bharatham is interpreted as a modern-day adaptation of the Ramayana from Bharatha's perspective. How, in the absence of his elder brother, Gopinathan takes the responsibility of the family and hides his griefs is the core of the story.
His Highness Abdullah is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language musical thriller drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu, Gautami, Sreenivasan, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Mamukkoya. The film was produced by Mohanlal and was the debut production of his company Pranavam Arts. The film features original songs composed by Raveendran and a background score by Mohan Sithara. His Highness Abdullah was the same team's first film in a trilogy of Indian classical arts films, followed by Bharatham (1991) and Kamaladalam (1992).
Innathe Chinthavishayam is a 2008 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film written and directed by Satyan Anthikad. The film, produced by Antony Perumbavoor through Aashirvad Cinemas, stars Mohanlal and Meera Jasmine. The film's score and songs were composed by Ilayaraja. The film is based on the scenario of increased divorces in modern-day Kerala middle class society. The film was released on 12 April 2008.
Narasimham is a 2000 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Shaji Kailas and written by Ranjith. The film stars Mohanlal in the title role with Thilakan, Kanaka, N. F. Varghese, Aishwariyaa Bhaskaran and Jagathy Sreekumar in pivotal roles. Mammootty appears in a cameo role. The film was the first production of Aashirvad Cinemas, owned by Antony Perumbavoor, the former chauffeur of Mohanlal.
Balettan is a 2003 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film directed by V. M. Vinu, written by T. A. Shahid, and produced by M. Mani. It stars Mohanlal in the title role, along with Devayani, Nedumudi Venu, Harisree Ashokan, Riyaz Khan, Innocent, and Jagathy Sreekumar. The film's songs were composed by M. Jayachandran, while the background score was provided by C. Rajamani. The film was released on 28 August 2003. Balettan was the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year at the box office and ran over than 200 days in theatres. It won the Kerala Film Critics Association Awards for Best Popular Film. The film was remade in Telugu as Rajababu (2006).
Janakan (transl. Father) is a 2010 Indian Malayalam-language crime thriller film directed by N. R. Sanjeev and written by S. N. Swami, starring Suresh Gopi and Mohanlal. The music was composed by M. Jayachandran. It was released on 8 April 2010 in Kerala and was distributed by Maxlab Entertainments. Janakan is credited as the 200th film appearance of Suresh Gopi. The film won the Kerala state Film Award for Best playback singer - Female for Rajalakshmy for the song "Olichirunne".
Thalasthanam is a 1992 Malayalam-language crime action film written by Renji Panicker, directed by Shaji Kailas and produced by S. Henry under the banner of Christ King Productions. The film stars Suresh Gopi in the lead role, along with Geetha, Narendra Prasad, Monisha, M. G. Soman, Ganesh Kumar and Vijayakumar in supporting roles. The basic plot revolves around Hari and his revenge against the people who murdered his brother, Unnikrishnan. The film explores the concepts of campus politics and the impact of anti social elements in students.
Nandanam is a 2002 Indian Malayalam-language romantic film written, co-produced, and directed by Ranjith, it stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Revathi, Navya Nair, Aravind Akash, Siddique, and Sai Kumar in main roles. K. J. Yesudas and Sudheesh makes a Cameo Appearance. The film won four Kerala State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. The film also marks the debut of Prithiviraj Sukumaran.
Meleparambil Anveedu is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy-drama film directed by Rajasenan and scripted by Raghunath Paleri from a story by Gireesh Puthenchery. The film stars Jayaram and Shobana, with Narendra Prasad, Meena Joseph, Jagathy Sreekumar, Janardanan, Vijayaraghavan, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, and Vinu Chakravarthy in supporting roles. The film was produced and distributed by Mani C. Kappan. This film is considered as the one of the best comedy movies in Malayalam cinema and has a cult status. It was remade in Tamil twice, as Valli Vara Pora (1995) and Naiyaandi (2013). Kappan remade the film in Assamese as Borolar Ghor (2012).
Pallavur Devanarayanan is a 1999 Malayalam drama film, written by Gireesh Puthenchery and directed by V. M. Vinu, in which Mammootty plays the title role, Pallavur Devanarayanan. The music for the film was composed by Raveendran and the lyrics were penned by Gireesh Puthenchery. One of the songs was sung by Mammootty himself.
Karayilekku Oru Kadal Dooram is a 2010 Malayalam film directed by Vinod Mankara, starring Indrajith, Mamta Mohandas and Dhanya Mary Varghese in the lead roles.
Kamaladalam is a 1992 Indian Malayalam-language musical drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil, starring Mohanlal, Murali, Vineeth, Nedumudi Venu, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, Monisha, Parvathy Jayaram and Sukumari. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his company Pranavam Arts and features original songs composed by Raveendran with a background score by Johnson. The story was inspired by the Telugu film Sagara Sangamam directed by K. Viswanath.
"Harimuraleeravam" is a song composed by Raveendran included in the soundtrack for the 1997 Malayalam-language film Aaraam Thampuran. The song was majorly composed in Sindhu Bhairavi raga yet deviates and travels to other ragas including Saramati halfway. The song was penned by Gireesh Puthenchery and sung by K. J. Yesudas with a narration by Mohanlal and composer Reghu Kumar on Jathi portion.
Aattakatha: The Final Rehearsal is a 2013 Malayalam-language musical romance film written and directed by Kannan Perumudiyoor. The film marks his directorial debut and is based on his own novel Cholliyattam. He had earlier produced films such as Ee Puzhayum Kadannu (1996) and Nakshatratharattu (1998). Set in the background of thakajam, Aattakatha depicts the power of dance which crosses boundaries.
Kusruthi Kuruppu is a 1998 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film directed by Venugopan and written by Rafi Mecartin. The film stars Jayaram, Meena, Jagathy Sreekumar, Innocent and KPAC Lalitha in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Johnson. The film was a box office success.
