A. K. Lohithadas
Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas (10 May 1955 – 28 June 2009) was an Indian screenwriter, playwright, film maker, and producer who worked in the Malayalam film industry.[1][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 | 10 May 1955 |
| Died | 28 June 2009 (aged 54) Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1986–2009 |
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 Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Joker (2000), and Kasthooriman (2003).[5] He died on 28 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, Thrissur district, Kerala, as the son of Ambazhathuparambil Karunakaran and Lakshmi.
Career
Lohi's first movie screenplay was Thaniavarthanam directed by "Sibi Malayil". Together, Sibi Malayil and Lohithadas would later produce several 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.
"Nizhalukal Inachernna Naattuvazhikal" ('നിഴലുകൾ ഇണചേർന്ന നാട്ടുവഴികൾ' – എം. ശബരീഷ്, പാപ്പാത്തി ബുക്സ്) is a book about his life and film career.
Death
On 28 June 2009, Lohithadas, 54, died suddenly from a heart attack at his home in Aluva, where he had been living for two-three years.[8][9] His body was taken to his home in Lakkidi in Palakkad district, where he was cremated with full state honours. He is survived by his wife Sindhu and two sons named Harikrishnan and Vijayashankar.
Awards
- 1987 – Best Story – Thaniyavarthanam[11]
- 1997 – Best Film – Bhoothakannadi[12]
- 1997 – Best Screen Play – Bhoothakkannadi[12]
- 1989 – Best Screenplay – Dasharatham
- 1991 – Best Screenplay – Bharatham
- 1996 – Best Screenplay – Sallapam, Thooval Kottaram
- 1997 – Second Best Film – Bhoothakkannadi
- 1997 – Best Story – Bhoothakkannadi
- 1998 – Second Best Film – Ormacheppu
- 1998 – Best Screenplay – Ormacheppu
- 1998 – Second Best Film – Nivedyam
- 1999 – Best Screenplay – Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal
- 2003 – Second Best Film – Kasthooriman
- 1999 – Best Script Writer Award – Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal
Filmography
Screenwriter
Director
| Year | Title | Cast |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Bhoothakannadi | Mammootty, Sreelakshmi |
| Karunyam | Jayaram, Murali, Divya Unni | |
| 1998 | Ormacheppu | Lal, Chanchal, Dileep |
| Kanmadam | Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Lal | |
| 2000 | Arayannangalude Veedu | Mammootty, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy |
| Joker | Dileep, Manya, Nishanth Sagar | |
| 2001 | Soothradharan | Dileep, Meera Jasmine, Bindu Panicker |
| 2003 | Kasthoorimann | Kunchacko Boban, Meera Jasmine |
| Chakram | Prithviraj, Meera Jasmine, Chandra Lakshman | |
| 2005 | Kasthuri Maan (Tamil) | Prasanna, Meera Jasmine |
| 2006 | Chakkara Muthu | Dileep, Kavya Madhavan, Jishnu Raghavan |
| 2007 | Nivedyam | Vinu Mohan, Bhama, Nedumudi Venu |
Actor
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal | Himself |
| 2005 | Udayananu Tharam | Director Prathapan |
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. Archived from the original on 2 July 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. 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.
- "45th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
- "State Film Awards (1981–90)". Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- "State Film Awards (1991–99)". Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
- "Tamilnadu govt awards Rajini and Kamal". cinesouth.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2009.
- "കേരള ഫിലിം ക്രിട്ടിക്സ് അവാര്ഡ് 1977 - 2012". Kerala Film Critics Association. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
External links
- A. K. Lohithadas at IMDb
- 'Cinema of Malayalam' profile Archived 25 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine