A. K. Lohithadas
Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas (5 May 1955 – 28 June 2009) was an Indian screenwriter, playwright, film maker, and producer who worked in the Malayalam film industry.[1] Known for his rich, detailed, and realistic screenplays, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest screenwriters of Malayalam cinema.[2] In a career spanning over two decades, his films have won a National Film Award, six Kerala State Film Awards, and fourteen Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Script.[3]
A. K. Lohithadas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 5 May 1955 |
| Died | 28 June 2009 (aged 54) Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1986–2009 |
| Spouse(s) | Sindhu (1987–2009) |
| Children | Harikrishnan, Vijayshankar |
Lohithadas made his debut as a screenwriter with Thaniyavarthanam (1987). He has written screenplays for 35 films in a 24-year-long career, such as Vicharana (1988), Ezhuthapurangal (1988), Kireedam (1989), Dasharatham (1989), Mrugaya (1989), His Highness Abdullah (1990), Sasneham (1990), Bharatham (1991), Amaram (1991), Aadhaaram (1992), Kamaladalam (1992), Vatsalyam (1993), Venkalam (1993), Padheyam (1993), Chenkol (1993), Chakoram (1994), Thooval Kottaram (1996), Sallapam (1996), and Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999).[4] He later became a director, and made his directorial debut with Bhoothakkannadi (1997). He later wrote and directed other films such as Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Joker (2000), and Kasthooriman (2003).[5] He died on 29 June 2009 due to a heart attack.[6]
Early life
Lohithadas (or 'Lohi', as he is often referred to) was born on 5 May 1955 in Chalakudy Kerala. He showed an initial interest in writing short stories, but failed to make a mark in that genre. He soon moved into Malayalam theatre in 1986
Career
Fresh with the play's commercial and critical success, Lohithadas was introduced to K. G. George by actor Thilakan. It did not help Lohithadas to start a career in Malayalam cinema. But it was K. G. George who gave the basic core idea of the story, later which was developed by Lohithadas to make the film Kireedam. Later, Thilakan introduced Lohithadas to director Sibi Malayil when Sibi was searching for a good writer for his films. Thus Lohi's first movie screenplay was Thaniavarthanam directed by "Sibi Malayil" was moderate success. Together, Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas would later produce several memorable Malayalam movies. His screenplay works for Sibi Malayil are Thaniyavarthanam (1987), Dasharatham (1989), Kireedam (1989), His Highness Abdullah (1990), Bharatham (1990), Dhanam (1991), Kamaladalam (1992), and Chenkol (1993). Other works include Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999), Sasneham (1990) for Sathyan Anthikkad and Amaram, Venkalam(1991) for Bharathan.
He later became a filmmaker and made works such as Bhoothakkannadi (1997), Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Arayannangalude Veedu (2000), Joker (2000), Kasthooriman (2003) (which he himself produced), and Nivedyam (2007).[7] Most of his works were critically and commercially successful. His works were recognised from his very first venture Thaniyavarthanam, which brought him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story. When he went to Germany for a film festival for screening his first directorial venture Bhoothakkannadi, one of the German filmmakers asked him by seeing this movie whether he is a Psychologist or not. That film was a real and exact depiction of human psychology.
Thilakan has always been proud of Lohithadas who was introduced to Malayalam film industry by him. Lohithadas went on to become one of the most prominent classic screenwriters that Malayalam cinema has ever seen. "Nizhalukal Inachernna Naattuvazhikal" ('നിഴലുകൾ ഇണചേർന്ന നാട്ടുവഴികൾ' – എം. ശബരീഷ്, പാപ്പാത്തി ബുക്സ്) is a book about his life and film career.
Death
In the morning of 28 June 2009, he experienced chest pains and uneasiness at his home at Aluva near Ernakulam and was immediately taken to the Lisy Hospital, Kaloor, Ernakulam, where he was declared dead from a heart attack at 10:50.[8][9]
Awards
- 1999 – Best Popular Film – Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal
- 1997 – Best Film – Bhoothakannadi
- 1997 – Best Screen Play – Bhoothakkannadi
- 1992 – Best Popular Film – Venkalam
- 1991 – Second Best Film – Bharatham
- 1987 – Best Story – Thaniyavarthanam
Other awards
- Film Critics award for Best script – Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
- Film Critics award for Best script – Dasharatham (1989)
- Film Critics award for Best script – Kireedam (1989)
- Film Critics award for Best script – Bharatham (1991)
- Film Critics award for Best script – Chenkol (1993)
- Film Critics award for Best script – Chakoram (1994)
- Film Critics award for Best script – Sallapam (1995)
- Film Critics award for Best script- Thooval Kottaram (1996)
- Film Critics award for Best script- Bhoothakannadi (1997)
- Film Critics award for Best script- Ormacheppu (1998)
- Film Critics award for Best script- Joker (1999)
- Film Critics award for Best script- Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (2000)
- Film Critics award for Best script- Kasthooriman (2003)
- Film Critics award for Best script- Nivedyam (2007)
- Film Critics award for Best Director- Bhoothakannadi (1997)
- Film Critics award for Best Director- Joker (1999)
- Film Critics award for Best Director- Kasthoorimann (2003)
- Film Critics award for Best Director- Nivedyam (2007),
- Asianet Film Award
- 1999 – Best Script Writer Award – Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal
Filmography
Screenwriter
Director
| Year | Title | Cast |
| 1997 | Bhoothakannadi | Mammootty, Sreelakshmi |
| 1997 | Karunyam | Jayaram, Murali, Divya Unni |
| 1998 | Ormacheppu | Lal, Chanchal, Dileep |
| 1998 | Kanmadam | Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Lal |
| 2000 | Arayannangalude Veedu | Mammootty, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy |
| 2000 | Joker | Dileep, Manya, Nishanth Sagar |
| 2001 | Soothradharan | Dileep, Meera Jasmine, Bindu Panicker |
| 2003 | Kasthoorimann | Kunchacko Boban, Meera Jasmine |
| 2003 | Chakram | Prithviraj, Meera Jasmine, Chandra Lakshman |
| 2005 | Kasthuri Maan (Tamil) | Prasanna, Meera Jasmine |
| 2006 | Chakkara Muthu | Dileep, Kavya Madhavan, Jishnu |
| 2007 | Nivedyam | Vinu Mohan, Bhama, Nedumudi Venu |
References
- "In the memory of Lohithadas". The Hindu. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- "Kazchavattom". goodreads.com. 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- "Lohithadas Awards". FilmiBeat. 1 July 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- "A K Lohithadas (1955–2009): Tribute to a legend". Rediff.com. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- "A K Lohithadas (1955–2009): Tribute to a legend". Rediff Movies. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- "Kerala News : A.K. Lohithadas passes away". The Hindu. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- "Malayalam News | Editorial". Manorama Online. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- "Writer-director Lohithadas passes away!". Sify.com. 28 June 2009. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- "Malayalam News". Manorama Online. Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
