A. K. Lohithadas

A. K. Lohithadas is a prolific screenwriter and director in Malayalam cinema, known for his rich, detailed, and realistic screenplays.

Biography

Lohithadas (or ‘Lohi’, as he is often referred to) was born Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas in Kerala. He showed an initial interest was in short-stories, but failed to make a mark in that genre. He soon moved into Malayalam theater in 1986 when his debut script was accepted for the stage by the legendary theater personality Thoppil Bhasi. Bhasi’s CPI party backed drama troupe, the highly successful ‘Kerala People’s Arts Club’, produced the play, leading to a state award for Lohithadas.
Fresh with the play’s commercial and critical success, Lohithadas moved to Malayalam Cinema by writing for director Sibi Malayil. His first movie screenplay Thaniavarthanam was directed by Malayil and went on to be a success. The Sibi Malayil-Lohithadas combination would later produce several memorable Malayalam movies.

Movies

Lohithdas movies are well known for its deep and realistic characterization and are often grim depiction of contemporary Kerala life. In spite of its serious subjects, they have been highly successful in the state. His movies lay less emphasis on plot or commercial gimmicks (such as songs, dances or unrealistic slapstick humour), and, instead, display a more character-oriented approach. He is a prolific writer, often writing nearly four screenplays a year. He turned director with his critically acclaimed 1997 film Bhoothakannadi (The Magnifying Glass). However, his later directorial ventures have only been moderately successful.
Awards
·
· Kerala State Film Award for Best Story - Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
· Film Critics award for Best script - Thaniyavarthanam (1987)
· Film Critics award for Best script - Dasaratham(1989)
· Film Critics award for Best script - kireedom(1990)
· 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- Thoovalkottaram(1996)
· Film Critics award for Best script- Bhoothakannadi(1997)
· Kerala State Film Award for Best Film - Bhoothakannadi (1997)
· Tamil Nadu State Film Award for 2nd Best Film - kasthoorimann (1997)
· 45th National Film Award for Best film - Bhoothakannadi (1997)
· Film Critics award for Best Director- Bhoothakannadi(1997)
· Film Critics award for Best script- Ormacheppu(1998)
· Film Critics award for Best script- Joker(1999)
· Film Critics award for Best Director- Joker(1999)
· Film Critics award for Best script- Veendum chila veetukaryangal(2000)
· Film Critics award for Best script- Kasthooriman(2003)
· Film Critics award for Best script- Nivedyam(2007)
· Film Critics award for Best Director- Kasthoorimann(2003)
· Film Critics award for Best Director- Nivedyam(2007),

Noted Films

1987 Ezhuthapurangal- Suhasini, Ambika, Parvathy, Nedumudi Venu Sibi Malayil
1987 Thaniyavarthanam Mammootty, Mukesh, Saritha, Thilakan Sibi Malayil
1988 Kudumbapuranam- Balachandra Menon, Ambika, Thilakan Sathyan Anthikkad
1988 Mukthi -Mammootty, Urvashi, Rahman, Shobana I. V. Sasi
1989 Mudra -Mammootty, Parvathy, Mukesh Sibi Malayil
1989 Jathakam -Jayaram, Sithara, Shaari Suresh Unnithan
1989 Kireedom -Mohanlal, Parvathy, Sankaradi, Thilakan Sibi Malayil
1989 Mahayanam- Mammootty, Seema, Mukesh, Jalaja Joshi
1989 mudhra- Mammooty, Parvathy , Mahesh Sibi Malayil
1990 Sasneham -Balachandra Menon, Shobana, Innocent Sathyan Anthikkad
1990 His Highness- Abhdullah Mohanlal, Gauthami, Sreenivasan, Nedumudi Venu Sibi Malayil
1991 Bharatham -Nedumudi Venu, Mohanlal, Urvashi, Lakshmi Sibi Malayil
1991 Amaram- Mammootty, Murali, Mathu, Ashokan, Chitra Bharathan
1992 Kauravar- Mammootty, Anju, Santhikrishna Joshi
1992 Aadharam -Murali, Suresh Gopi, Geetha George Kithu
1992 Kamaladalam -Mohanlal, Parvathy, Monisha, Vineeth Sibi Malayil
1993 Venkalam- Murali, Urvashi, Manoj K. Jayan Bharathan
1993 Vatsalyam -Mammootty, Geetha, Kaviyoor Ponnamma Cochin Haneefa
1993 Chenkol -Mohanlal, Surabhi, Santhi Krishna, Thilakan Sibi Malayil
1996 Thoovalkottaram- Jayaram, Manju Warrier, Murali, Innocent Sathyan Anthikkad
1996 Sallappam- Dileep, Manju Warrier, Manoj K. Jayan Sundardas
1997 Boothakannadi- Mammootty, Lakshmi, Kavya Madhavan Self
1999 Veendum Chila Veetukaryangal- Jayaram, Samyuktha Varma, Nedumudi Venu Sathyan Anthikkad
2007 Nivedyam- Vinu Mohan, Bhama, Nedumudi Venu Self

Directed Films

Year Title Cast
1997 Boothakannadi- Mammootty, Lakshmi, Kavya Madhavan
1997 Karunyam -Jayaram, Divya Unni, Murali
1998 Ormacheppu -Lal, Dileep, Chanchal, Biju Menon
1998 Kanmadam- Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Lal
2000 Arayannangalude Veedu -Mammootty, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Jomol
2000 Joker -Dileep, Manya, Nishanth Sagar
2001 Soothradharan- Dileep, Meera Jasmine, Cochin Haneefa
2003 Kasthoorimann- Kunchako Boban, Meera Jasmine
2003 Chakram- Prithviraj, Meera Jasmine
2005 Kastoorimaan(Tamil) Prasanna, Meera Jasmine, Sarath Babu
2006 Chakkaramuthu- Dileep, Kavya Madhavan
2007 Nivedyam- Vinu Mohan, Bhama, Nedumudi Venu