Ranjith Balakrishnan is an Indian film director, screenwriter, lyricist, producer, and actor who works in Malayalam cinema. Ranjith made his directorial debut in 2001 with Ravanaprabhu, the sequel to Devaasuram. His films Thirakkatha and Indian Rupee won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam in 2008 and 2011 respectively. He is also the current chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.
Prithviraj Sukumaran is an Indian actor, director, producer and playback singer primarily working in Malayalam language films. He has also done Tamil, Hindi and Telugu films. He acted in more than 100 films in a variety of roles and has received several awards including a National Film Award, three Kerala State Film Awards, a Tamil Nadu State Film Award, five Kerala Film Critics Association Awards and a South Filmfare Award.
Baba Kalyani is a 2006 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by S. N. Swami, and produced by Antony Perumbavoor through Aashirvad Cinemas. It stars Mohanlal in the title role, and also features an ensemble cast featuring Indrajith Sukumaran, Biju Menon, Mamta Mohandas, Sai Kumar, and Jagathy Sreekumar in important roles. The film's music was composed by Alex Paul.
Chocolate is a 2007 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film directed by Shafi. The film stars Prithviraj, Jayasurya, Roma Asrani, Samvrutha Sunil and Remya Nabeeshan. The film has been remade in Telugu as Chalaki with Aditya Babu and Roma also reprises her role from original.
Narasimham is a 2000 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Shaji Kailas and written by Ranjith. Narasimham was released on 26 January 2000, India's 50th Republic Day, where the film ran for 200 days in theatres and grossed 20 crores worldwide. 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.
Moonnam Pakkam is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Padmarajan. It stars Thilakan and Jayaram in the lead roles along with Kirti Singh, Jagathi Sreekumar, Rahman, Ashokan, Ajayan and Surasu in supporting roles. Kirti and Ajayan made their debut in this film. The film was a commercial success. Thilakan's performance in the film is considered one of his most memorable performances.
Passenger is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language conspiracy thriller film written and directed by debutant Ranjith Sankar and starring Sreenivasan, Dileep, Mamta Mohandas, Jagathy Sreekumar and Nedumudi Venu in major roles. It was a path breaker in Malayalam cinema in terms of its story telling and started the Malayalam new cinema wave. Owing to its critical and commercial success, Passenger was to be remade into Tamil as Muriyadi by Selva.
Manjadikuru is a 2008 Malayalam film written and directed by Anjali Menon. A shorter video version of the film was premiered at the 2008 International Film Festival of Kerala, and won the FIPRESCI Award for best Malayalam film and Hassankutty award for Best Debutant Indian director. In 2009, it received awards at the South Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) at New York, winning five Grand Jury Awards - Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematographer and Best Emerging Talent.
Kerala Cafe is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language anthology film produced by Ranjith and directed by a team of ten directors including Lal Jose, Shaji Kailas, Anwar Rasheed, Shyamaprasad, B. Unnikrishnan, Revathy, Anjali Menon, M. Padmakumar, Shankar Ramakrishnan, and Uday Ananthan. For the first time in Malayalam cinema, one film was conceived by a team of ten directors. Ten cinematographers, musicians, editors, art directors and almost all the top Malayalam film actors joined this unique venture. The ensemble cast includes Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Dileep, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Rahman, Fahadh Faasil, Jayasurya, Suraj Venjarammood, Navya Nair, Nithya Menen, and others.
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.
Pattalam (transl. Army) is a 2003 Malayalam-language film by Lal Jose and starring Mammootty, Indrajith Sukumaran and Biju Menon along with Tessa, Jyothirmayi, Jagathy Sreekumar, Oduvil Unnikrishnan and Innocent in supporting roles. The film revolves around incidents in a small village after the army sets up a temporary camp.
Urumi, is a 2011 Indian Malayalam-language epic historical drama film written by Shankar Ramakrishnan and directed as well as co-produced by Santosh Sivan. It features an ensemble cast including Prithviraj Sukumaran, Prabhu Deva, Genelia D'Souza, Nithya Menon, Arya, Tabu, Vidya Balan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Alex O'Nell and Sasi Kallinga. This film marks the debut of both Prabhu Deva and Genelia D'Souza in Malayalam Cinema.
Arjunan Saakshi is a 2011 Indian Malayalam language thriller film written and directed by Ranjith Sankar. It stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Ann Augustine in the lead roles. The film is a thriller which deals with how we evade our responsibility to society. The film examines the vertical growth of Kochi both as a metro and a centre of crimes. It was produced by S. Sundararajan under the banner of S. R. T. Films and released on 28 January 2011. The film released to a positive critical reception but was a commercial failure.
August 15 is a 2011 Malayalam-language crime thriller film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by S. N. Swamy, and produced by M. Mani. It stars Mammootty, Meghana Raj, Nedumudi Venu, Siddique, Sai Kumar, Shwetha Menon and Lalu Alex.
Heart Beats is a 2007 Indian Malayalam-language romantic film starring Indrajith Sukumaran and Simran.
Pranchiyettan & the Saint is a 2010 Indian Malayalam-language satirical comedy film written, directed, and produced by Ranjith. The film centres on the fictitious conversation between the Thrissur based businessman C. E. Francis a.k.a. Pranchiyettan (Mammootty) and St. Francis of Assisi. Priyamani, Innocent, Siddique, Khushbu Sundar, Jagathy Sreekumar, Ganapathy, Sasi Kalinga, Tini Tom and Biju Menon play the other important roles. The film is considered one of the best comedy films in Malayalam cinema and has attained cult status in the years following its release. Some critics consider the film as one of the defining movies of the Malayalam New Wave.
Masters is a 2012 Malayalam-language action crime film directed by Johny Antony from a story written by Jinu. V. Abraham. It stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and M. Sasikumar in the lead roles, while Mukesh, Biju Menon, Pia Bajpai and Mithra Kurian appear in supporting roles. This film is loosely based on the English film Strangers on a Train.
Spirit is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language satirical black comedy film written and directed by Ranjith. The film primarily focuses on the increasing habits of alcoholism in Kerala. It was produced by Antony Perumbavoor under the company Aashirvad Cinemas. The film stars Mohanlal in the lead role, while Kaniha, Shankar Ramakrishnan, Nandhu, Kalpana, Madhu, Lena and Thilakan plays supporting roles. The film features music composed by Shahabaz Aman.
Simhasanam (transl. Throne) is a 2012 Malayalam action film written and directed by Shaji Kailas starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Sai Kumar with supporting cast including Siddique and Devan. The music was composed by Ronnie Raphael.
