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Wikipedia / 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. 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.

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 Ezhuthapurangal (1987), Vicharana (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). He later became a director, and made his directorial debut with Bhoothakkannadi (1997). He later wrote and directed Karunyam (1997), Kanmadam (1998), Joker (2000),Soothradharan(2001) and Kasthooriman (2003).

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 Lakshmi and Karunakaran of the Ambazhathuparambil house. He considered Chalakudy as his base for most of his writings and centered himself with his friends during his stays in his hometown.

Career

Lohi's first movie screenplay was Thaniyavarthanam, directed by Sibi Malayil. Malayil and Lohithadas would later produce several Malayalam movies together. 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),Soothradharan(2001) Kasthooriman (2003) (which he himself produced), and Nivedyam (2007). 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 of a heart attack at his home in Aluva, where he had been living for a few years. 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 their two sons, Harikrishnan and Vijayashankar.

Awards

  1. National Film Awards:

  2. 1998 – Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director – Bhoothakannadi

  3. Kerala State Film Awards:

  4. 1987 – Best Story – Thaniyavarthanam

  5. 1997 – Best Film – Bhoothakannadi

  6. 1997 – Best Screen Play – Bhoothakkannadi

  7. Tamil Nadu State Film Awards:

  8. 2005 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film Portraying Woman in Good Light – Kasthuri Maan

  9. Kerala Film Critics Association Awards

  10. 1989 – Best Screenplay – Dasharatham

  11. 1991 – Best Screenplay – Bharatham

  12. 1996 – Best Screenplay – Sallapam, Thooval Kottaram

  13. 1997 – Second Best Film – Bhoothakkannadi

  14. 1997 – Best Story – Bhoothakkannadi

  15. 1998 – Second Best Film – Ormacheppu

  16. 1998 – Best Screenplay – Ormacheppu

  17. 1998 – Second Best Film – Nivedyam

  18. 1999 – Best Screenplay – Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal

  19. 2003 – Second Best Film – Kasthooriman

  20. Asianet Film Award

  21. 1999 – Best Script Writer Award – Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal

Filmography

Screenwriter

Director

Actor

References