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

National Film Awards

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

Kerala State Film Awards

1987 – Best Story – Thaniyavarthanam 1997 – Best Film – Bhoothakannadi 1997 – Best Screen Play – Bhoothakkannadi

Kerala Film Critics Association Awards 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

Asianet Film Award 1999 – Best Script Writer Award – Veendum Chila Veettu Karyangal

Filmography

Screenwriter Year Title Director 2007 Nivedyam Self 2006 Chakkara Muthu 2005 Kasthuri Maan (Tamil) 2003 Chakram Kasthooriman 2001 Soothradharan 2000 Arayannangalude Veedu Joker 1999 Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal Sathyan Anthikkad 1998 Ormacheppu Self Kanmadam 1997 Karunyam Bhoothakannadi 1996 Sallapam Sundardas Thooval Kottaram Sathyan Anthikkad Udhyanapalakan Harikumar 1995 Saadaram Jose Thomas 1994 Chakoram Venu Sagaram Sakshi Sibi Malayil 1993 Chenkol Padheyam Bharathan Vatsalyam Cochin Haneefa Venkalam Bharathan 1992 Kamaladalam Sibi Malayil Valayam Kauravar Joshi Aadharam George Kithu 1991 Dhanam Sibi Malayil Amaram Bharathan Bharatham Sibi Malayil Kanalkkattu Sathyan Anthikkad 1990 His Highness Abdullah Sibi Malayil Sasneham Sathyan Anthikkad Kuttettan Joshi Radha Madhavam Suresh Unnithan Maalayogam Sibi Malayil 1989 MrigayaI. V. Sasi Mahayanam Joshi Mudra Sibi Malayil Jaathakam Suresh Unnithan Dasharatham Sibi Malayil Kireedam 1988 Mukthi I. V. Sasi Kudumbapuranam Sathyan Anthikkad Vicharana Sibi Malayil 1987 Ezhuthapurangal Thaniyavarthanam

Director Year Title 1997 Bhoothakannadi Karunyam 1998 Ormacheppu Kanmadam 2000 Arayannangalude Veedu Joker 2001 Soothradharan 2003 Kasthoorimann Chakram 2005 Kasthuri Maan (Tamil) 2006 Chakkara Muthu 2007 Nivedyam

Actor