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Ranjith Balakrishnan | |
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 Ranjith in 2022 | |
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| Years active | 1987–present |
Ranjith Balakrishnan is an Indian film director, screenwriter, 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. [1] He is also the current chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. [2]
Ranjith's entry into Mollywood was accidental, he was inspired by his friend, the late film producer and director Alex I. Kadavil, in whose residence he had stayed for his debut in the film industry. In 1987, he made his debut as a writer in Oru Maymasa Pulariyil , produced by Alex I. Kadavil and directed by V. R. Gopinath. [3] In 1988, Ranjith made his formal entry into the film world by writing the story for Orkkapurathu , an adventure film directed by Kamal, with Mohanlal in the lead role. The immediate success of Orkkapurathu brought Ranjith several opportunities to work in films. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Ranjith wrote scripts for several small budget films, mainly for Kamal, including Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal (1989), Pradeshika Varthakal (1989) and Pookkalam Varavayi (1991).
Another director with whom Ranjith worked during this period was Viji Thampi. This team released Witness (1988), Nanma Niranjavan Sreenivasan (1990), Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam (1989) and Kaalalpada (1990), all with Jayaram in the lead role. In 1992, he wrote Neelagiri for I. V. Sasi, which underperformed at the box office. This was followed by Johnnie Walker , directed by Jayaraj, which was noted for its different filmmaking style and was a commercial success at the box office. [4] [5]
1993 was significant in Ranjith's career: Devasuram , his film based on the life of his father-figure, Mullassery Rajagopal, [6] turned out to be a huge box office hit. With Mohanlal in the lead and directed by I.V. Sasi, Devasuram was both critically and commercially acclaimed; Mohanlal's performance was lauded and it opened a new genre of feudal stories in Malayalam cinema. Within two months of the release of Devasuram , Ranjith's next movie, Maya Mayuram (directed by Sibi Malayil and again starring Mohanlal) was released, but was not as successful. According to Ranjith, Maya Mayuram is one of his best films and its failure affected him greatly. Ranjith mentioned in an interview that several directors passed on the opportunity to make Maya Mayuram, and it was Mohanlal who convinced Sibi Malayil to get involved.[ citation needed ]
After writing Yadavam (directed by Jomon and starring Suresh Gopi), Ranjith worked with Shaji Kailas for Rudraksham , again starring Suresh Gopi, who was at the peak of his career. This film generated significant hype in the market as Shaji Kailas-Suresh Gopi was a hot selling team at the time, but the loose script and clichéd humorless dialogues led to Rudraksham becoming a flop. His next piece of work, Rajaputhran, directed by Shajun Karyal, again with Suresh Gopi in the lead, became a superhit. [7]
In 1997, Ranjith teamed up again with Shaji Kailas for Asuravamsham, starring Manoj K Jayan and Biju Menon; the film yielded an average commercial response. Towards the end of 1997, Ranjith penned Aaraam Thampuran , which went to become one of the biggest hits of his career. This film was also a turning point in the career of Mohanlal, and with it Ranjith gained a reputation as a commercially viable scriptwriter. Then came Kaikudanna Nilavu, in 1998, directed by Kamal, starring Jayaram, yet another average grosser. In 1998 Ranjith scripted Summer in Bethlehem , directed by Sibi Malayil, starring Suresh Gopi and Jayaram, a super hit. [8] In 1999, Ranjith and Shaji Kailas produced the film Ustaad , directed by Sibi Malayil, starring Mohanlal.[ citation needed ]
The year 2000 began with the release of Narasimham , directed by Shaji Kailas. With Mohanlal playing the lead role, this film became one of the biggest hits ever in the history of Malayalam cinema at the time. [9] [10] Yet again in 2000, together with Director Shaji, Ranjith repeated history: his Onam release Valliettan starring Mammooty was a commercial success. This was his last script for Shaji Kailas [11] and with this film Ranjith became the most successful scriptwriter of the time.
In 2001, Ranjith made his directorial debut with Ravanaprabhu , the sequel to Devasuram . [12] With Mohanlal appearing in dual roles as father and son, this film turned out to be another blockbuster. [13] The success of his directorial debut led Rashtra Deepika to name Ranjith the Man of the year. [14] In 2002 Ranjith came back with another successful film, Nandanam , starring Navya Nair and a new face, Prithviraj Sukumaran. [15] Ranjith produced this film along with his friend, actor Siddique. Nandanam, revolving around an innocent girl, her love for Lord Sri Krishna and her beau, was an entirely different and unexpected theme from Ranjith at the time. Despite the film not having a big star cast, fights, or punchy dialogues – and being shelved after some pre-production activities – it became a hit. [16]
In 2003 Ranjith directed Mizhi Randilum , starring Dileep and Kavya Madhavan, another family drama, which failed to impress the masses, but was critically acclaimed. In the same year Ranjith scripted Ammakilikood, directed by Padmakumar with Prithviraj in the lead role, which also got the cold shoulder from the public. In 2004 Ranjith teamed up with Mammooty for Black , which was a complete commercial entertainer targeting the fans of Mammootty. [17] [18] Chandrolsavam , starring Mohanlal, followed in 2005. [19] Ranjith believes that it was not a bad film. He said, "Mohanlal fans expected too much. I don't think it was a bad film. Many who watched it on DVD called to say they were surprised it did not do well. Fans come in with pre-conceived notions on how the actor will be in the movie and the kind of story it will be, hence they could not grasp the poetic element in the film." [20]
In 2006, he scripted and directed Prajapathi , starring Mammootty, was also blasted by critics, [21] and was another disastrous movie. [22] His next venture was an offbeat film Kaiyoppu . Though a flop at the box office, Kaiyoppu brought critical appreciation from far corners and that compelled Ranjith to work with plots and themes without any commercial ingredients. Notably, its lead actor Mammootty received no payment to act in the film as the script impressed him so much. [23]
In 2007, Ranjith teamed up with Joshiy for the big budget film Nasrani starring Mammootty. [24] [25] [26] [27] His next directorial feature was the musical-comedy Rock & Roll , starring Mohanlal. [28] [29] In 2008 Ranjith directed Thirakkatha , based on actress Srividya's life, [30] which won the National Award for the Best Malayalam Feature Film. Starring Anoop Menon and Priyamani, the movie featured Prithviraj and Samvrutha Sunil in important supporting roles. The movie was able to bring out the best in the actors. [31] [32] In 2009 Ranjith directed and wrote the script for Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha, which was critically acclaimed. [33] Ranjith also introduced about thirty Malayalam stage artists through this film. [34] In the same year he came up with another unique creation, Kerala Cafe — a fusion of ten different short films by ten directors. The different segments in the movie were conceived and connected based on the concept of Yatra , or journey. [35]
In 2010 Ranjith wrote the story for the film Penpattanam , directed by V. M. Vinu. He then scripted and directed, Pranchiyettan and the Saint , starring Mammootty, which was also widely accepted by movie fans and the people of Kerala. It became the most popular film of the year and was also a commercial success. Pranchiyettan and the Saint is now considered one of the best comedy films in Malayalam cinema and has over the years attained a cult status. During this time, Ranjith also received a highly coveted appointment as the School Director for Cochin Media School. [36] He also appeared as judge in "Mammootty the Best Actor Award – II", an acting talent-hunt reality show aired on the television channel Asianet. [37] In 2011, Ranjith scripted and directed a critically acclaimed satirical film Indian Rupee starring Prithviraj, which was well received by the critics and also a commercial success. His next film, Spirit , primarily focused on the increasing habits of alcoholism in Kerala. Starring Mohanlal in the lead role, the film was critically acclaimed and a box office success. He then produced and scripted for G. S. Vijayan's Mammootty-starring Bavuttiyude Namathil in 2012, which was an average at the box office. His next film with Mammootty, Kadal Kadannoru Mathukkutty , underperformed at the box office.
Njaan , based on the novel K T N Kottoor: Ezhuthum Jeevithavum by T P Rajeevan and featuring Dulquer Salmaan in the lead role, was released on 19 September 2014. He also produced Munnariyippu starring Mammootty in the lead role. The film became one of the highest grossers of the year. [38] In 2015 he directed Loham , starring Mohanlal, which received mixed reactions from critics. [39]
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Film | Credited as | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Producer | Screenwriter | Story | Actor | Role | ||
| 1987 | Ezhuthappurangal | No | No | No | No | Yes | Ramanandan |
| Oru Maymasa Pulariyil | No | No | No | Yes | No | — | |
| 1988 | Witness | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | |
| Orkkappurathu | No | No | No | Yes | No | — | |
| 1989 | Kaalal Pada | No | No | No | No | Yes | Violinist |
| Pradeshika Vaarthakal | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| 1990 | Shubhayathra | No | No | Yes | No | No | — |
| Pavakkoothu | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| Nanma Niranjavan Srinivasan | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| Marupuram | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| Nagarangalil Chennu Raparkam | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| 1991 | Georgootty C/O Georgootty | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | — |
| Pookkalam Varavayi | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| Neelagiri | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| 1992 | Johnnie Walker | No | No | Yes | No | No | — |
| 1993 | Devasuram | No | No | Yes | No | No | — |
| Maya Mayuram | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| Yadavam | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| 1994 | Rudraksham | No | No | Yes | No | No | — |
| 1996 | Rajaputhran | No | No | Yes | No | No | — |
| 1997 | Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu | No | No | No | Yes | No | — |
| Asuravamsam | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| Aaraam Thampuran | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| 1998 | Summer in Bethlehem | No | No | Yes | No | No | — |
| 1999 | Ustaad | No | Co-producer | Yes | No | No | — |
| 2000 | Valyettan | No | No | Yes | No | No | — |
| Narasimham | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| 2001 | Ravanaprabhu | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | — |
| 2002 | Nandanam | Yes | Co-producer | Yes | Yes | No | — |
| 2003 | Mizhi Randilum | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | — |
| Ammakilikkoodu | No | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| 2004 | Black | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | — |
| 2005 | Chandrolsavam | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | — |
| 2006 | Prajapathi | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | — |
| 2007 | Kaiyoppu | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | — |
| Nasrani | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | — | |
| Rock & Roll | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| 2008 | Thirakkatha | Yes | Co-producer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Director Aby Kuruvilla |
| Gulmohar | No | No | No | No | Yes | Induchoodan | |
| 2009 | Kerala Cafe | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | — |
| Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | — | |
| 2010 | Penpattanam | No | No | No | Yes | No | — |
| Best Actor | No | No | No | No | Yes | Himself | |
| Pranchiyettan and The Saint | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | — | |
| 2011 | Bhakthajanangalude Sradhakku | No | No | No | Yes | No | — |
| Indian Rupee | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | — | |
| 2012 | Spirit | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | — |
| Jawan of Vellimala | No | No | No | No | Yes | Dr. Shivaprasad | |
| Bavuttiyude Namathil | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | — | |
| 2013 | Annayum Rasoolum | No | No | No | No | Yes | Usman |
| Kadal Kadannoru Mathukkutty | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | — | |
| 2014 | Munnariyippu | No | Yes | No | No | No | — |
| Njan | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | — | |
| 2015 | Ayal Njanalla | No | No | No | Yes | No | — |
| Loham | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | — | |
| 2016 | Leela | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | — |
| 2017 | Puthan Panam | Yes | Co-producer | Yes | Yes | No | — |
| 2018 | Koode | No | No | No | No | Yes | Aloshy |
| Drama [40] | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | — | |
| 2019 | Unda | No | No | No | No | Yes | C. I. Mathews Anthony |
| 2020 | Ayyappanum Koshiyum | No | Co-producer | No | No | Yes | Kurien John |
| King Fish | No | No | No | No | Yes | ||
| 2021 | Nayattu | No | Co-producer | No | No | No | — |
| One | No | No | No | No | Yes | Vijaya Mohan | |
| 2022 | Mukundan Unni Associates | No | No | No | No | Yes | Adv.Gangadharan |
| Twenty One Gms | No | No | No | No | Yes | Dr.John Samuel | |
| Kotthu | No | Co-producer | No | No | Yes | Sadanandan | |
| 2024 | Nadikar [41] | No | No | No | No | Yes | Koshy |
| Thalavan † [42] | No | No | No | No | Yes | ||
Other Awards:
Mohanlal Viswanathan is an Indian actor, film producer, playback singer, film distributor, and director who predominantly works in Malayalam film industry besides also having sporadically appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada films. Mohanlal has a prolific career spanning over four decades, during which he has acted in more than 400 films. Mohanlal's contributions to the Malayalam cinema have been praised by his contemporaries in the Indian film industry. The Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri in 2001, and Padma Bhushan in 2019, India's fourth and third highest civilian honours, for his contributions to Indian cinema. In 2009, he became the first actor in India to be awarded the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army. Mohanlal was named as one of "the men who changed the face of the Indian Cinema" by CNN-News18.
Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail, known mononymously by the hypocorism Mammootty, is an Indian actor and film producer who works predominantly in Malayalam-language films. He has also appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and English-language productions. In a career spanning five decades, he has appeared in more than 410 films, predominantly in lead roles. He is the recipient of several accolades, including three National Film Awards, nine Kerala State Film Awards, eleven Kerala Film Critics Awards and thirteen Filmfare Awards South. For his contribution to film, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1998. In 2022, he was honoured with Kerala Prabha Award, the second-highest honour given by the Government of Kerala.
Palappurathu Keshavan Surendranatha Thilakan was an Indian film and stage actor who appeared in over 200 Malayalam films. Thilakan was known for his elaborate method acting, realistic and spontaneous appearances and is considered to be one of the greatest actors of all time.
Prithviraj Sukumaran is an Indian actor, director, producer and playback singer primarily active in Malayalam cinema. He has also featured in Tamil, Hindi and Telugu films, adding to over a 100 films involving diverse genres and variety of roles. Prithviraj's accolades include a National Film Award, three Kerala State Film Awards, a Tamil Nadu State Film Award and a South Filmfare Award.
Shwetha Menon is an Indian actress, model, television anchor and beauty pageant titleholder. She has won Femina Miss India Asia Pacific 1994. She has predominantly acted in Malayalam and Hindi language films, besides appearing in a number of Telugu and Tamil Language Films. She won two Kerala State Film Awards for Best Actress. She participated in Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 1.
Siddique (born 1 October 1962 ) is an Indian actor and producer, who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. Along with appearing in over 350 Malayalam films, he has also acted in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi language films. He is known for having played a wide range of starring and supporting roles, including comic characters, romantic leads, anti-heroes and villains.
Shaji Kailas is an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his works in Malayalam cinema. Shaji got a breakthrough with the comedy film Dr. Pasupathy (1990).
Anoop Menon is an Indian actor, director, screenwriter and lyricist. He worked in television before acting in Malayalam films and has acted in more than 75 films.
Amal Neerad is an Indian film director, cinematographer and producer who mainly works in Malayalam cinema. He attended the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata. He was awarded the National Film Award for Best Cinematography in 2001 for his diploma film Meena Jha.
Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language mystery film written and directed by Ranjith, starring Mammootty, Shwetha Menon and Mythili. It is based on the novel of the same name by T. P. Rajeevan, which said the true story of the first recorded murder case in Kerala. Mammooty plays three characters in the film. The film was Mythili's debut in cinema. Ranjith also introduced about thirty Malayalam stage artists through this film. The film tells the story of a private detective, who returns to his birthplace, a village called Paleri, to solve a murder mystery that occurred on the same night he was born. Upon the release of the movie, it got an 'A' certificate due to its violent and adult content.
Unnikrishnan B is an Indian film director, screenwriter, distributor and exhibitor who works in the Malayalam film industry.
The 12th Asianet Film Awards, honors the best films in 2009 and was held on 16 January 2010 at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram. The winners were announced on 3 January 2010 by Asianet senior vice-president R. Sreekantan Nair. The title sponsor of the event was Ujala. The award were given in 25 categories.
Suresh Krishna is an Indian actor, known for his comedic roles, earlier negative performances and character roles. He is noted for his portrayals in Manju Poloru Penkutti, Christian Brothers, Pazhassi Raja and Kutty Srank.
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.
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.
Tini Tom is an Indian actor, comedian and mimicry artist. He works in Malayalam films and television.
Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty is a 2013 Indian Malayalam comedy film written and directed by Ranjith and starring Mammootty in the lead role of an Achayan from Kozhencherry, Central Travancore and also in a cameo as himself. The cast includes Nedumudi Venu, Balachandra Menon, Siddique, Harisree Asokan, Suresh Krishna, P. Balachandran, Balachandran Chullikad, Prem Prakash, Meera Nandan, Muthumani, Krishna Prabha, and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. It was produced by Prithviraj Sukumaran, Santhosh Sivan, and Shaji Nadesan under the banner of August Cinema. The film was released on 8 August 2013 on the occasion of Eid-ul Fitr and was a critical and commercial failure. However, modern reception has been positive.
Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha is a Malayalam-language mystery novel by T. P. Rajeevan. It was originally serialised in Mathrubhumi Weekly and was published as a book by Current Books. Paleri Manikyam was first written in English when the author was residing in Iowa, United States. He wrote it in Malayalam after coming back to Kerala. However, the English version, titled Undying Echoes of Silence, was released in August 2013 only.
T. A. Razzaq was an Indian screenwriter, who worked on Malayalam movies. He was born to T.A.Bappu and Vazhayil Khadeeja. His younger brother, T. A. Shahid, was also a screenwriter who wrote scripts for successful films such as Balettan and Perumazhakkalam. He has received Kerala State Film Award for Best Story in 1996 and 2002 and once for Kerala State Film Award for Best Screenplay in 1996.
Ranjith had told me that he was planning to make a film on Raju (Devasuram)
This is not Shajoon's first hit. Thachiledathu Chundan, released in 1999, with Mammootty in the lead role, was his first hit.
Valyettan, which went on to become a big hit
Ravana Prabhu is one of the biggest hits of Malayalam cinema
Chandrolsavam flopped owing to lack of content
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